Harness Racing New Zealand has launched a brand new regulation that may form how conferences are carried out and races are programmed, handicapped, and rated.
The brand new Conduct of Conferences, Programming, Handicapping and Score Regulation comes into impact on Monday 30 June 2025, and replaces the present Handicapping Regulation, Programming Situation  – Common Regulation, and Rankings Handicapping System Guiding Rules.
HRNZ acknowledges the quick discover of this launch. Nonetheless, it follows a prolonged session course of throughout the business. The organisation has aimed to present due consideration to all suggestions and incorporate it the place acceptable, whereas nonetheless working to the 30 June implementation date.
These adjustments are the results of a collaborative 18-month course of involving the Utilisation Reference Group, Nationwide and Regional Boards, and suggestions from business individuals. The up to date regulation displays the suggestions from this work, with a deal with enhancing discipline sizes, simplifying programming, and supporting constant racing alternatives.
Key outcomes embody:
A clearer score transition construction: All one-win horses will now be rated R40, two-win horses R45, and three-win horses R50, no matter when these wins occurred.
Retention of junior driver concessions in a revised format, with potential additional reforms to be thought-about individually.
Scratching penalties won’t change at this stage – another method will likely be developed and consulted on.
Up to date procedures for the Bureau based mostly on suggestions and operational learnings since its introduction.
Clarifications to present wording to take away anomalies and assist fairer programming.
HRNZ has dedicated to intently monitoring the implementation of the brand new regulation and can set up a small exterior group to independently overview outcomes. A proper report is due in February 2026
Click on right here to view the official discover
From Harness Racing New Zealand
