Australian Harness Racing Rules 268-273

Equipment and Colours

Please Note:   All forms mentioned in the Rules are available from State Controlling Bodies.  
 
Please Note:  On 1st March 2008 Harness Racing Australia Inc (HRA) replaced Australian Harness Racing Council Inc (AHRC) as the organisation's name.  All AHRC's formal structures, rules, regulations, policies, processes etc., now pertain to HRA, and any reference to Australian Harness Racing Council Inc, AHRC, Council or The Council shall mean Harness Racing Australia Inc or HRA.

Gear

268.  Gear used in connection with racing shall be approved by the Controlling Body.

268A.  (1)  Applications concerning gear shall be made in such form as the Controlling Body or Stewards may determine and be lodged with the Controlling Body or Stewards no later than forty eight (48) hours before the nomination of a horse for a race.

(2)  In the event of a change to any of the particulars notified in accordance with sub-rule (1), such change shall immediately be lodged with the Controlling Body or Stewards in such form as the Controlling Body or Stewards may determine.

(3)  (Rule 268A(3) repealed, HRA approved 09.12.2021)

Application to change gear

269.  In the case of a horse to compete in a race, application to change any gear must be made to the Controlling Body or Stewards by the connections at a time to be determined by the Controlling Body or Stewards.

269A.   An application to change any gear shall be made to the Controlling Body in such form as the Controlling Body may determine.

Hopples

270.  (Rule 270 repealed, HRA approved 21.10.2016)

Sulkies

271.  Only sulkies of the type, dimensions and materials approved by the Controlling Body may be used.

271A.   A sulky shall conform to the standards set out in the document adopted by Harness Racing Australia entitled "Standard For Safety and Performance of Sulkies" and sub titled "The Sulky Standard."

Colours

272. (1)  The connections of a horse may make application to the Controlling Body for the registration of colours.

(2)  The application is to be made in the manner and form and be accompanied by such documentation, information and fees as the Controlling Body may determine.

(3)  The application may be refused by the Controlling Body without assigning any reason.

(4)  Subject to sub-rule (6) registration shall remain in force for such time as is determined by the Controlling Body.

(5)  Registration may be granted subject to terms and conditions and these may be varied by the Controlling Body during the currency of the registration.

(6)  Registration shall lapse forthwith if a term or condition of registration is not complied with.

(7)  A person shall not start a horse in a race at a meeting unless the driver is dressed in the colours that have been registered with the Controlling Body.

(8)  If for some reason the colours described in the race book are unavailable, club colours approved by the Controlling Body shall be worn.

(9)  Each club shall keep and maintain in good condition not less than 2 sets of approved club colours.

(10)  Colours registered in the name of a person who has been disqualified shall not be used in a race during the period of disqualification.

(11)  Notwithstanding sub-rule (7) and sub-rule (8) the Stewards may give such directions as they think fit about the colours to be worn or the advertising to be displayed in a race.

(12)  A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (7) or with a direction given under sub-rule (11) or who is responsible, whether wholly or in part, for a breach of sub-rule (8) or (10) is guilty of an offence.

272A.   An application for registration of colours shall be made to the Controlling Body on form R272-A.

Offences

273. (1)  A person shall not use or permit the use of any gear or equipment that is not listed on the HRA Approved Gear List except with the permission of the Chairman of Stewards.

(2)  A person shall not present to start or start a horse in a race in gear which in the opinion of the Stewards is:-

(a)  Incorrectly fitted

(bi)  Insecure

(c)  Of inadequate quality

(d)  In poor condition

(e)  Of insufficient strength and quality to cope with the stresses likely to be imposed on it in a race.

(3)  A person shall not without the permission of the Stewards start a horse in a race unless the horse is fitted with:

(a)  A false belly band.

(b)  Retaining straps.

(c)  A throat lash.

(d)  A breast plate.

(e)  A cavesson or noseband.

(4)  A person shall not start a horse in a race fitted with any equipment or gear that covers and/or protrudes past the nostrils of the horse.

(5)  A person shall not without the approval of the Stewards change the registered gear of a horse.

(6)  A person shall not present to start or start in a race a horse that is:-

(a)  not wearing the correct number;

(b)  not wearing the gear that has been approved by the Stewards for that horse.

(7)  A person shall not modify or permit the modification of any gear or equipment except with the permission of the Chairman of Stewards.

(8) A person who fails to comply with any provision of this rule is guilty of an offence.

 
PLEASE NOTE:
Rules Effective from 1st September 1999 (State Controlling Bodies must adopt)
Rules Approved - 16th March 1999 (AHRC Meeting)
 

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