1. THE STRUCTURE
Pacers.
The Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series will be run for 2yo, 3yo and 4yo’s respectively, with each age group split into a section for males and a section for females comprising:
2YO
Heats of $10,000 each.
Semi-Finals x 2 of $20,000 each.
Final of $100,000 each.
3YO
Heats of $10,000 each.
Semi-Finals x 2 of $20,000 each.
Final of $100,000 each.
4YO
Heats of $10,000 each.
Semi-Finals x 2 of $20,000 each.
Final of $100,000 each.
HRV will program heats for each pacing series at five venues in Victoria (one venue in each of the five zones).
HRV intends to program and conduct one heat at the designated venue in the Northern Region (Mildura or Nyah) and for remaining venues to each conduct two heats, except for the venue, where the final rounds of heats will be conducted, where HRV intends on programming for up to three heats to be run at this meeting.
However, please note that the actual number of heats that will be conducted will be at the sole discretion of HRV and HRV may choose at its discretion to reduce or increase the number of heats based on nomination and acceptance levels for each of the respective heats.
Trotters.
The Vicbred Super Series will be run for 2yo, 3yo and 4yo’s respectively, with each age group combining both sexes and contesting:
Heats of $10,000 each including one heat restricted to female horses.
Final of $50,000
From Season 2011/12 onwards a $50,000 Group One Final will be held for both 2yo Male Trotters and 2yo Female Trotters
HRV will program heats for each trotting series at three venues in Victoria.
HRV intends to program for two heats to be conducted at the first venue. At the second venue, one heat restricted to trotting fillies/mares will be programmed and at the third venue, HRV intends to program for two heats to be conducted on this program.
However, please note that the actual number of heats that will be conducted will be at the sole discretion of HRV and HRV may choose at its discretion to reduce or increase the number of heats based on nomination and acceptance levels for each of the respective heats.
2. ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility to compete in a Vicbred Super Series race during the 2011-12 racing season is extended to any eligible horse for which the 2011-12 Vicbred Age Acceptance Fee (including a Vicbred Series Fee) has been processed by HRV.
3. FIELD SELECTION
3.1 The fields for all Heats will be selected in accordance with Harness Racing Victoria’s Automatic Field Selection System except that where balloting is necessary the following will be balloted in order:
3.1.1 Horses that have contested one or more Heats with preference given to horses that have contested the least number of Heats.
3.1.2 Horses with an ‘Unfulfilled Engagement’.
3.2 Horses that are unable to gain selection in accordance with the above procedure are NOT guaranteed a start in a Heat.
3.3 The winner of a Heat will not be eligible to contest another Heat of that age series.
3.4 A horse that does not complete the course in such a heat shall be deemed as having contested such a heat.
4. MODE OF START & BARRIER DRAWS
4.1 All races will be Mobile Starts and will be conducted as Random Barrier Draw (RBD) events.
5. RACE DISTANCES
Race Distances for Heats and Semi-Finals will approximate the distance of the respective Final.
6. HANDICAPPING CONDITIONS & PENALTIES
6.1 All horses will start from the front mark.
6.2 As provided in the Australian Handicapping Rules, winners will incur the following penalties:
2YO Pacers
Heats, Semi-Finals and Finals: - One Age Penalty.
3YO Pacers
Heats, Semi-Finals and Finals: - One Age Penalty.
4YO Pacers
Heats and Semi-Finals: - One Career Penalty.
Finals: - as for Heats and Semi-Finals plus one Metropolitan Penalty.
2YO Trotters
Heats and Final: - One Age Penalty.
3YO Trotters
Heats and Final: - One Age Penalty.
4YO Trotters
Heats and Final: - One Career Penalty.
7. STAKEMONEY DISTRIBUTION
7.1
Stakemoney for Heats and Semi-Finals will be distributed:
1st - 67.5%
2nd - 15%
3rd - 10%
4th - 5%
5th – 2.5%
7.2
Stakemoney for 2YO Finals will be distributed:
1st - 60.5%
2nd - 15%
3rd - 10%
4th - 5%
5th – 2.5%
6th to last – 1%
7.3
Stakemoney for 3YO Finals and 4YO Finals will be distributed:
1st – 60.5%
2nd - 15%
3rd - 10%
4th - 5%
5th – 2.5%
6th to last – 1%.
7.4
The Trainer, Driver, Breeder and Stallion Nominator will each receive 5% of the total stakemoney earned by each horse in Heats, Semi-Finals and Finals.
8. SEMI-FINALS & FINALS
8.1 Pacers
8.1.1 Each age section will be scheduled over two nights with Semi-Finals on the first night and the Final on the second night.
8.1.2 Fields for Semi-Finals will comprise the winners of Heats with the balance of horses being the highest points scorers in the Heats (see Condition 9).
8.1.3 In the event of two or more horses each scoring equally the minimum number of points entitling them to be eligible for a Semi-Final and thereby producing a field exceeding the field limit, the Board will determine by ballot which of the horses with equal points will contest the Semi-Final.
8.1.4 Finals will comprise:
2YO’s - the first five placegetters in each Semi-Final plus the fastest sixth placegetter based on the mile rate recorded in the semi final. The slowest sixth finisher based on the mile rate recorded in the semi finals will be the emergency.
3YO’s and 4YO’s - the first six placegetters in each Semi-Final with the fastest seventh placegetter based on the mile rate recorded in the semi final the emergency.
8.1.5 In the event of two or more horses running the same time, the Board will determine by ballot which of the horses will qualify as the emergency for the Final.
8.2 Trotters
8.2.1 The fields for Finals will comprise the winners of the Heats with the balance of horses being the highest points scorers in the Heats (see Condition 9).
8.2.2 In the event of two or more horses each scoring equally the minimum number of points entitling them to be eligible for a Final and thereby producing a field exceeding the field limit, the Board will determine by ballot which of the horses with equal points will contest the Final.
9. ALLOCATION OF POINTS IN HEATS
9.1 Horses contesting Heats will be awarded points as follows:
2nd - 90 points
3rd - 80 points
4th - 70 points
5th - 60 points
6th - 50 points
7th - 40 points
8th - 30 points
9th - 20 points
Others -10 points
Heat winners automatically qualify for Pacers Semi-Finals or Trotters Final.
9.2 In the event of a dead-heat, all points for the placings involved will be added together and divided equally.
9.3 The points score for each horse is calculated by adding together the points earned in each Heat and then dividing the total points by the number of starts in Heats.
9.4 A horse that is scratched from a Heat will not be allocated any points in that Heat.
9.5 A horse that does not complete the course in a heat shall be deemed as having contested that heat and will earn 10 points.
10. HORSES MUST BE SCRATCHED
Horses which contest Heats but which are not able to contest the Semi-Finals and/or the Final must be formally scratched prior to Acceptance Time from the Semi Finals/Final.
11. DISQUALIFICATION
Rule 195A of the Australian Rules of Harness Racing applies to this race series.
12. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
HRV reserves the right to make any alterations or amendments to these conditions that it considers necessary in the overall best interests of the conduct of the Vicbred Super Series.