Dates for meetings and races

21.  (1)  The Controlling Body may allocate to clubs and associations the dates on which meetings and races may be conducted.

22.  The date of a meeting shall not be changed except with the consent of the Controlling Body.

Nominations and acceptances

23.  (1)  A horse may be nominated for acceptance in a race.

(2)  Only the Controlling Body can accept nominations.

(6)  (Rule 23(6) repealed, HRA approved 29.10.1999)

(7)  A horse in which a disqualified person and the spouse or other domestic partner, or parent, sibling or child of a disqualified person have an interest shall not be nominated for a race without the consent of the Controlling Body.

(8)  A nomination is not voided by the death of 1 or more of the connections or nominator of the horse.

(13)  The Controlling Body or Stewards may reject a nomination without assigning any reason.

(14)  Once nominated for a race the Rules and policies of the Controlling Body conducting the race shall apply.

23A.  (1)  Where nomination is made in writing form R23-A shall be used.

(2)  Nominations shall be lodged with the Controlling Body in accordance with the advertised racing program.

(3)  If the last race of a nominated horse was outside the jurisdiction of the Controlling Body it must receive clearance from the Controlling Body of the place where that race occurred.

23B.  (1)  A horse cannot be nominated for a race if it is a horse as defined by sub-rule (2) and it has not satisfied the provisions of sub-rule (3).

(2)  (a)  A horse that has not participated in an official trial or race within the twelve month period prior to the race.

(b)  A foreign horse that has been imported into Australia and  has not participated in an official trial or race within the six month period prior to the race.

(3)  The horse must participate in an official trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

24.  Nominations for any race may be called for in heats or in qualifying divisions.

Stable returns

25.  (1)  (a) When a horse enters the stable of a trainer a stable return containing true and correct particulars must be lodged with the Controlling Body or Stewards by the connections of a horse within the time and in the manner and form determined by the Controlling Body or Stewards and the connections shall ensure that all particulars on the stable return are true and correct.  

(b)  Unless otherwise determined by the Controlling Body or Stewards, a stable return shall be made within twenty four hours and in such form as the Controlling Body may determine.

(2)  In the event of a change to any of the particulars entered on the stable return, a fresh stable return containing the current particulars shall immediately be lodged with the Controlling Body or Stewards.

(4)  The Controlling Body or Stewards may reject a stable return or impose on the return such conditions as it or they consider appropriate.

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

25A.  (1)  (Rule 25A(1) repealed, HRA approved 21.10.2016)

Security of horses

26.  (1)  The Controlling Body or Stewards shall in respect of any race determine all applicable security arrangements including those applying to a horse or horses.

(6)  Where security arrangements apply the Controlling Body or Stewards may appoint persons to maintain surveillance of a horse.

(7)  The connections or other persons in charge of a horse shall not frustrate or hinder, or endeavour to frustrate or hinder, persons appointed under sub-rule (6) from carrying out their duties.

Programs

27.  (1)  No club or other person or body shall publish or issue a program for a meeting or race except with the approval of the Controlling Body.

Starters

28.  (1)  The number of starters in a race is not to exceed the number fixed by the Controlling Body.

(2)  The Controlling Body shall determine the starting positions for a race.

Divisions

29.  With the approval of the Controlling Body a race may be run in divisions.

Unfitness to race

31.  A horse withdrawn from a race because of unfitness or injury shall not race within 6 days next following the date of withdrawal and within 6 days next following the date of the race from which it was withdrawn, except with the permission of the Stewards.

32.  A horse may race twice at the same meeting provided the races are not less than 1 hour apart and the horse is passed by veterinary examination as fit to compete.

Notification of win

33.  If a horse handicapped for a race wins another race before the running of the race in respect of which the horse has already been handicapped, the trainer must as soon as possible after the win notify the Stewards in a manner and form determined by the Controlling Body.

Conditions and restrictions

34.  (1)  The Controlling Body may make determinations concerning the conduct of a meeting or the running of a race.

35.  The Controlling Body may impose conditions or restrictions concerning the ages at which and distances over which horses may be trialled or raced.

35A.  (1)  (Rule 35A(1) repealed, HRA approved 13.05.2020)

(2)  (Rule 35A(2) repealed, HRA approved 13.05.2020)

(3)  A horse shall not compete in a trial before 1 October in the year preceding it attaining the age of 2 years.

36.  A race shall not be less than 1609 metres except with the approval of the Controlling Body.

Officials

37.  A club shall ensure that all officials necessary in the opinion of the Controlling Body for the proper conduct of a meeting and its associated activities are appointed and are in attendance at the meeting.

(b)  discharge any official function in respect of a race in which the person or deputy is financially interested or which may otherwise give rise to a conflict of interest.

Appointed times

41. (1)  A horse entered to race at a meeting shall be within the stabling area of the race course at which the meeting is to be conducted 60 minutes before the scheduled start time of the race or such other time as determined by the Controlling Body.

(2)  Once present in accordance with sub-rule (1), a horse shall remain within the stabling area until it has completed its racing engagement unless otherwise approved by the Stewards.

(3)  For the purposes of sub-rule (2), “stabling area” means that section of the racecourse at which the meeting is to be conducted used to stable horses entered to race at the meeting.

42.  (1)  If a horse is not at the racecourse by the appointed time mentioned in or determined under rule 41, the owner or trainer shall notify the club or other body conducting the meeting of that fact and the club or other body shall inform the Stewards.

(2)  A horse not at the racecourse by the appointed time mentioned in or determined under rule 41 may be withdrawn by the Stewards.

43A.  (1)  A driver, trainer or person in charge of a horse engaged in a race and the horse shall remain on the racecourse for at least 30 minutes after the race unless permission to leave is granted by the Stewards.

(2)   A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence. 

Tactics

44.  (1)  (Rule 44(1) repealed, HRA approved 15.05.2018)

(3)   (Rule 44(3) repealed, HRA approved 15.05.2018)

(4)   Rule 44(4) repealed, HRA approved 15/05/2018)

(5)   Rule 44(5) repealed, HRA approved 15/05/2018)

Inspection

45.  (1)  A horse is ineligible to start in a race unless a steward or other person authorised by the Controlling Body is satisfied by physical inspection that the horse is the horse described in the registration certificate.

(2)   Where a steward or authorised person is satisfied in terms of sub-rule (1), but considers some amendment is required to the certificate, the steward or authorised person shall take delivery of the certificate from the holder and forward the same and explanatory report and recommendation to the Controlling Body.

(3)  Where a steward or authorised person is not satisfied in terms of sub-rule (1) the steward or authorised person shall prohibit the horse from racing and take possession of the certificate.

(4)  Where a steward or authorised person is satisfied in terms of sub-rule (1) the steward or authorised person shall sign the certificate in the space provided thereon.

(5) A person shall ensure that the correct horse is presented to start in a race.

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

Medical matters

46.  (1)  Subject to sub-rule (2) a club conducting a meeting shall have in attendance 2 trained ambulance officers properly equipped and an ambulance or some other suitable vehicle.

(2)  The provisions of sub-rule (1) do not apply to official trials and training tracks registered by a Controlling Body.

47.  A driver involved in an accident at a meeting must attend the medical or ambulance officer for assessment and any consequential treatment and must not drive in any subsequent race except with the approval of the Stewards.

Human Consumption of Products

48.  The Controlling Body may make determinations concerning consumption of food, beverages, drugs, and substances by persons discharging official duties, driving or managing horses or otherwise participating in meetings or races or having a connection with the harness racing industry and for the testing and examining of such persons.

Judging

49.  (1)  Races shall be judged by the judge or the judge's substitute.

(5) The determination of the Judge that a horse has won or been placed in a race is to be final, except:-

(a) The judge may correct any mistake before the declaration of All Clear; and

(b) The Stewards may alter a determination made by the judge either before or after the declaration of All Clear if the Stewards are satisfied on the available evidence (including imprints or images) that the judge has made a mistake in the determination of the finishing order of a race.

(6) Notwithstanding sub-rule (5) where, in the opinion of the Stewards, the judge has made an error, which the judge declines to correct having been afforded opportunity to do so, or where in the opinion of the Stewards the judge was not in a position to determine the result, the Stewards shall stand the judge down for such period as they think fit.

(7) Where sub-rule (6) applies, the Stewards become the judges of the race in question.

(8) Notwithstanding sub-rule (7) the Stewards may declare a race void if the judge or a substitute was not in a position to determine the result.

(9) Any alterations to judge's placings after the declaration of All Clear will not have any effect on previous orders given by the Stewards as to the betting on the race.

Timekeeping

50.  (1)  The timekeeper shall take the time of the first horse and, where possible, the times of all other finishers.

(5)  Times taken and entered cannot be altered except at the direction of the Stewards.

Recording races

51.  (1)  A club shall record in a manner to a standard required by the Controlling Body each race conducted by the club and furnish a copy of the recording to the Stewards.  

All clear

52.  (1)  The All clear steward at a meeting shall be the Chief Steward or some other steward appointed by the Chief Steward.

(4)  Placed horses and their drivers shall attend for inspection in the order in which they were placed.

(5)  A driver who fails to attend for inspection is guilty of an offence.

(8)  After inspection and if there is no protest the All clear steward shall declare "all clear" and the declaration shall be announced or published by the club or other body conducting the meeting.

(9)  Unplaced horses and their drivers shall remain on the track as directed by the All clear steward until inspection under sub-rule (3) is concluded.

(10)  In this rule "placed horses" are horses so designated by the All clear steward.

Cancellation - transfer - postponement

53.  (1)  Subject to the approval of the Controlling Body a meeting may be cancelled or postponed for a period not exceeding 7 days.

(2)  A postponed meeting is cancelled if not held within 7 days of the date originally allocated to it.

54.  If a meeting is cancelled nomination and acceptance fees shall be returned to the nominators.

55.  A horse nominated for a race may be transferred to another race at the same meeting by the Stewards or handicappers.

56.  (1)  Where the Controlling Body considers that insufficient nominations have been received for a race the Controlling Body or with its approval the club conducting the meeting, may cancel the race or transfer the nominations to another race or extend nominations for such race.

Stops reruns and related matters

58.  If during a race held under artificial lights, a lighting failure occurs which is either total or would render racing hazardous, drivers shall pull up their horses and the race will cease.

59.  Where a race is rerun all horses shall compete unless permission to withdraw is given by the Stewards.

Forfeits and fees

60.  The nominator and owner of a horse is each liable for all fees relating to nomination or acceptance.

(2)  A club which fails to comply with sub-rule (1) loses any right to the fees payable.

Disqualification for non payment

62.  (1)  If fees payable in respect of a horse’s participation in a race are not paid before the start, the Stewards may disqualify the horse.

(2)  If fees are paid by cheque or other instrument requiring clearance, then if that cheque or instrument is not cleared with the bank or financial house the Stewards may disqualify the horse.

Review of racing performance

63.  (1)  The Stewards may review the racing performance of a horse.

(3)  The Chairman or Deputy Chairman of Stewards may form the opinion and exercise the power conferred by sub-rule (2).

(4)  To act under sub-rule (3) it is not necessary that the Chairman or Deputy Chairman should have been present on any occasion when the horse concerned raced and the Chairman or Deputy Chairman as the case may be may form an opinion and reach a decision on the basis of information furnished by Stewards who were present.

(5)  A trainer shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that the racing performance of a horse is consistent.

(6)  A trainer who fails to comply with sub-rule (5) is guilty of an offence. 

Disqualification

64.  If a horse fails to start in a race from its correct handicap mark or its correct barrier position it may be disqualified or declared a non-starter in that race.

66.  A horse may be disqualified from a race or placed in a lower finishing position in a race if the horse -

(a)  crosses a horse without being clear of it;

(f)  interferes with another runner so as to cause that runner, or cause its sulky or any part thereof, to go inside a marker post;

(g)  being in the home straight and having a clear uninterrupted run to the post, changes course and thereby prejudices or advantages the chances of another runner.

(h) gains an unfair advantage.

(i)  is driven in a manner prejudicial or detrimental to the reputational interests  of harness racing.

Information and reports

67.  At the conclusion of a meeting the club which conducted it shall immediately forward to the Controlling Body such information about the meeting, and in such manner and form, as the Controlling Body may require.

68.  The Chief Steward of a meeting shall forward to the Controlling Body within such time after the conclusion of the meeting as the Controlling Body may appoint, a report about the meeting in such form and with such content as the Controlling Body may direct.

Match races

69.  A match race will not be run with less than 2 starters.

Futurity races

70.  (1)  The Controlling Body may determine a race to be a futurity race.

(2)  Futurity races shall be run under such rules as the Controlling Body may determine.

Derby

71.  The word "Derby" in the name of a race shall be used only in respect of a race for 3 year old horses.

Claiming races

72.  (1)  The Controlling Body may determine a race to be a claiming race.

(b)  claim a horse for another person unless authorised in writing to do so;

(c)  enter into an agreement to claim or not to claim or to prevent or attempt to prevent a person from claiming a horse.

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

74.  Nothwithstanding rule 73 a horse owned by a syndicate or otherwise jointly owned may, where the syndicate or joint ownership arrangement is being dissolved, be claimed by a member of that syndicate or party to the joint ownership arrangement.

75.  (1)  The terms, conditions and procedures relating to the nomination of horses in a claiming race, the organisation and conduct of the race and the claiming of a horse from the race, shall be as determined by the Controlling Body.

(2)  Subject to any determination made under sub-rule (1) the following applies -

(c)  the claiming price for a horse in a claiming race is to be printed in the racebook;

(d)  a claim must be made on the approved form and be placed in the claim box not less than 15 minutes before the advertised starting time of the race and once made cannot be withdrawn;

(dd)  A person shall not lodge more than one claim for a horse in a claiming race;

(e)  the claim box shall be under the control of the Chief Steward;

(f)  the Chief Steward shall open the claim box no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of the race and no later than immediately after the race and determine the claims; 

(i)  every horse claimed shall race in the claiming event in the interest and for the account of the person who owned it at the time of acceptance for the race but, subject to paragraph (m) of this sub-rule, title to the horse shall vest in the person who becomes the successful claimant immediately upon the start of the race and regardless of death or injury to the horse during the race;

(j)  the Chief Steward may require a claimant to declare that he or she is claiming the horse on the claimant’s own account;

(k)  for 30 days after claiming, a horse is ineligible to start in a race in the interest and for the account of the person who owned it at the time of acceptance for the claiming race, nor during that period shall the horse remain in or return to the ownership, care or management of that person unless it be reclaimed out of another claiming race; 

(kkk) for 30 days after claiming, a horse shall not remain in or on the registered training establishment from which it had been trained at the time of claiming except with the permission of the Chairman of Stewards unless it be reclaimed out of another claiming race.

(l)  any eligible horse in the declared field for a claiming race including emergencies can be claimed;

(m)  if a claimed horse returns a positive swab, the claimant may repudiate the claim within seven days of the claimant being notified by the Controlling Body that the first analysis of the swab has reported the presence of a prohibited substance or before the horse has its next start following that notification, whichever is the sooner and deliver the horse to the person who was the owner at the time of its acceptance for the claiming race;

(n)  where a horse is accepted for a claiming race, no transfer of ownership shall have any legal effect during the period commencing from date of acceptance and terminating upon the declaration of an official result in the claiming race;

(o) the Controlling Body or Club conducting a claiming race shall pay the price to the former owner as soon as possible after the transfer to the successful claimant has been registered by the Controlling Body. 

75A.  (1)  The owner, lessee and any other person with an interest in a horse to be nominated for a claiming race must:-

(a)  complete form R75-A and lodge it with the Controlling Body;

(b)  if the horse to be nominated is a filly or mare, declare whether the horse has been served or is pregnant and the term of the pregnancy as at the time of nomination. 

(3)  If required by the Controlling Body a claimant shall pay as directed a sum by way of premium to insure the claimant’s risk.

76.  (1)  A person who fails to comply with paragraph (h) or paragraph (j) of rule 75(2) is guilty of an offence.

(2)  A person who deals with a horse contrary to the requirements of paragraph (k) of rule 75(2) is guilty of an offence.

(3)  Where a claimant repudiates a claim under paragraph (m) of rule 75(2) the owner of the horse at the time of its acceptance for the claiming race -

(b)  shall hold the claimant indemnified against any claim for the horse’s care and sustenance and also any claim arising out of the death of, or injury to, the animal not directly attributable to the negligence of the claimant.

(4)  A person who fails to comply with any provision of sub-rule (3) is guilty of an offence.

(6)  If a person fails to comply with the requirements of sub-paragraph (b) of Rule 75A (1) and the horse is claimed, the claimant may repudiate the claim within seven (7) days of the claimant providing a veterinary certificate to the Controlling Body that the horse is pregnant with such certificate to be provided to the Controlling Body within fourteen (14) days of the claim. 

(7)  Where a horse is involved in an offence arising under this rule, the Controlling Body may take such action with respect to the horse as it thinks fit. 

(2) Where approval is given under sub-rule (1) the provisions of rules 73, 74, 75 and 76 apply to the race in question unless the Controlling Body makes any alterations to suit the requirements of a particular race.

77A.  (1) A horse may not be claimed in a heat.

(2)  A horse which has qualified for the final is eligible to be claimed irrespective of whether the horse is in the declared field for the final or not and whether the horse participates in the final or not.

Official trials and other matters

78.  (1) The Controlling Body may determine a race or event to be an official trial, or a time trial.

(2)  A race or event referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be conducted in accordance with the conditions determined by the Controlling Body.

Time performances and records

79.  (1)  The Controlling Body may determine a race or event to be a performance against time.

81.  (1)  In performances against time a horse may be assisted by one or more horses acting as pacemakers.

(2)  Pacemakers must not precede the assisted horse nor be harnessed with or otherwise attached to it.

82.  If a horse breaks during a performance against time it shall be disqualified from that trial.

83.  In performances against time the whip shall be used solely in a way which complies with these rules.

(2)  Application for approval may be made in the manner and form determined by the Controlling Body.

(3)  An application shall be accompanied by such documentation, information and fees as the Controlling Body may determine.

85A.   A person seeking approval of a record time must arrange for form R85-A to be completed and submitted to the Controlling Body.

Offences and related matters

86.  A person who allows a horse to start or fails to prevent it from starting in a race from an incorrect handicap mark or from an incorrect barrier position is guilty of an offence.

87.  (1)  If a horse is ineligible for a race, its connections shall not nominate it for the race, or allow it to start or fail to prevent it starting, in a race.

(2) A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

(3)  The horse concerned may be barred by the Stewards from participating in a race for a period specified by them, or pending satisfaction of such conditions as they impose.

89.  (1)  After the running of any race and for a period of 7 days thereafter if the owner, trainer, driver, stablehand or any person in charge of a horse is aware of or has knowledge of anything which may have affected the horse’s performance in that race, he or she shall report it immediately to the Stewards.

(2)  A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.