315.  The Rules in this Part are to be read together with all other Rules and in the event of a conflict, the Rules in this Part shall prevail. 

316.  In this Part:- 

(1)  “Rider” means a person who rides a horse in a race approved by the Controlling Body as a Monté race and for the purposes of these Rules including the imposition of penalties for breaches of the Rules, rider shall where applicable include “driver” as defined in these Rules.  

(2)  “Monté Race” means a race in which the competing horses are ridden by a licensed rider. 

(3)  “Horse” means a standardbred horse that has:- 

(a)  attained the age of 3 years; 

(b)  qualified as a trotter; 

(c)  started in no less than three trotting races and a Monté trial.

Gear

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

318.  (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(3)  (Rule 318(3) repealed, HRA approved 09.12.2021)

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

320.  An application to change any gear shall be made to the Controlling Body on form R25-M.

Whips

321.  (1)  A rider shall only use a non-modified whip of a design and specification approved by the Controlling Body.  

(2)  A rider shall only use a whip forward of the saddle.  

(3)  A rider shall at all times when using a whip keep hold of the reins.

Reins

322.  (1)  A rider shall only use reins of a design and specification approved by the Controlling Body. 

(2)  Approved reins cannot be attached with a carabineer or snap-hook.  

(3)  A rider shall when mounted on a horse hold the reins in both hands.   

Helmets

323.  A rider shall when mounted on a horse wear a properly affixed helmet which has been entered in the Helmet Register approved by Harness Racing Australia.   

Vests

324.  A rider shall when mounted on a horse wear a properly fastened safety vest which has been approved by Harness Racing Australia. 

Footwear

325.  (1)  A rider shall when mounted on a horse wear riding boots approved by the Controlling Body. 

(2)  Riding boots shall have a heel and not have spurs attached.  

Saddle

326.  (1)  A rider shall when mounted on a horse use a saddle which has been approved by the Controlling Body.  

(2)  An extra girth strap or surcingles shall be used to tighten the girth if there is only one strap fitted to each side of the saddle.

(3)  If a head-check is used on a horse then:- 

(a)  The head-check must be attached to the saddle.  

(b)  The saddle must be used in conjunction with a crupper.  

Stirrups

327.  A rider shall when mounted on a horse use stirrups approved by the Controlling Body. 

Breast Plate

328.  A breast plate shall be fitted to a horse competing in a race.

Weight

329.  (1)  The minimum weight to be carried by a horse including the rider and all gear except the bridle and reins shall be 65 kg. 

(2)  The maximum weight to be carried by a horse including the rider and all gear except the bridle and reins shall be 105 kg.  

(3)  Subject to sub-rule (4), when a race has been run every rider shall immediately after pulling up ride his horse to the place of weighing and when told by the Stewards so to do and not before, there dismount and the riders of the placed horses and such other riders as directed by the Stewards shall be weighed to the satisfaction of the Stewards.    

(4)  If a rider be prevented by accident, illness or other cause deemed sufficient by the Stewards from riding to the place of weighing he may walk or be carried to the scales.  If, in the opinion of the Stewards, it is impracticable to weigh in a rider, his horse shall not be disqualified if the Stewards are of the opinion that he carried his correct weight.  

Weighing In

330.  If a horse carries less than 65 kg it shall be disqualified from the race and the rider and/or any other person may be penalised.  

Horses

331.  A horse that in the opinion of the Stewards breaks gait clear of interference in the final 200 metres of a race shall be disqualified from the race.

Riders

332.  (1)  A rider shall at all times during the course of a race ensure that all other horses have a clear passage. 

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

Mobile Starts

333.  Unless otherwise approved by a Controlling Body, in a race conducted with a mobile start: 

(a)  A horse shall wear a head-check.  

(b)  There shall not be more than one row of horses.  

Licences

334.  (1)  A person who holds a driver’s licence or trainer’s licence pursuant to Part 4 of these Rules shall complete at least one Monté trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards.   

(2)  An unlicensed person or a person who holds a stable hand licence pursuant to Part 4 of these Rules and who is not younger than 16 years must complete at least three (3) Monte trials to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

(3)  A person who is licensed as a jockey by a Principal Racing Authority is exempt from completing a Monté trial.