WATPAC 2009 INTER DOMINION PACING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES GOLD COAST HARNESS RACING QUEENSLAND (HRQ) 1 ELIGIBILITY OF HORSES The Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Series ( the Championship Series ) is restricted to all registered Standardbred pacers. 2 CURRENCY All money values listed in these Conditions are expressed in Australian dollars ($AUD). 3 TIME OF DAY All times and dates listed in these Conditions are expressed in Australian Eastern Standard Time as applicable in Queensland. 4 STAKEMONEY DISTRIBUTION 4.1 Stakemoney is to be as per the table below: Stake $ 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th - last Grand Final 1,000,000 500,000 200,000 120,000 80,000 40,000 8,571 Consolation 75,000 37,500 15,000 9,000 6,000 3,000 642 Qualifying s 65,000 32,500 13,000 7,800 5,200 2,600 557 Preliminary s 45,000 22,500 9,000 5,400 3,600 1,800 675 4.2 Preliminary s are to carry the following winner s cash bonuses, based on the winner s mile rate: $20,000 for bettering the Australasian Mile Record (Currently 1.51.9) $15,000 for bettering the 1609m Gold Coast Track Record (Currently 1.53.5) $10,000 speed incentive if the Mile Rate is under 1.54.0 5 THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES The Championship Series will comprise Preliminary s x 4, Qualifying s x 3 a Grand Final and a Consolation. Preliminary s Qualifying s Grand Final Consolation Saturday, 14 March 2009 at Gold Coast Saturday, 21 March 2009 at Gold Coast Saturday, 28 March 2009 at Gold Coast Saturday, 28 March 2009 at Gold Coast Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 1 of 11
6 RACE DISTANCES and MODE OF START Preliminary s 1609 metres Mobile Start Qualifying s 2100 metres Mobile Start Grand Final 2609 metres Mobile Start Consolation 2100 metres Mobile Start Note: Seven horses are drawn on the front row for all mobile barrier starts 7 HANDICAPS All races in the Championship Series will be mobile start events making the declaration of handicaps unnecessary. 8 FIELD SIZES 8.1 All Preliminary s will consist of 9 starters, plus 1 common emergency. 8.2 All Qualifying s will consist of 12 starters. 8.3 The Grand Final will consist of 12 starters plus 1 emergency. 8.4 The Consolation will consist of 12 starters. 9 BARRIER DRAWS 9.1 All races of the Championship Series will have a Random Barrier Draw. 9.2 The common emergency in the Preliminary s will draw 10 in each. 9.3 A horse declared Out of the Draw in Mobile starts (ODM) will be excluded from the barrier draw. If more than one ODM horse is in a Championship Series race, a random draw will be used to determine their respective barrier positions. 9.4 A horse declared Right Out of the Draw in Mobile starts (RODM) will be excluded from the barrier draw and allocated a barrier outside any ODM horses in the race. If more than one RODM horse is in a Championship Series race, a random draw will be used to determine their respective barrier positions. 9.5 Outside draw horses are to draw barriers in the following order: Preliminary s 7, 6, 9 Qualifying s 12, 7, 11 Grand Final 12, 7, 11 Consolation 12, 7, 11 10 RANKING SYSTEM 10.1 The HRQ Handicapping Panel will rank all horses in the Championship Series and such rankings will determine the horses that will be eligible to contest the Championship Series. 10.2 The HRQ Handicapping Panel will at all times rank winners of races stated in clause 11.1 and 11.2 higher than all other nominations. Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 2 of 11
11 POINTS SYSTEM 11.1 The winners of the Watpac 2008 Inter Dominion Grand Final and Australasian Grand Circuit Pacing races during the 2008/09 season (as determined by Harness Racing Australia and Harness Racing New Zealand) will receive two (2) bonus points for their initial win and one (1) bonus point for each subsequent win. 2008 Inter Dominion Grand Final Blacks A Fake (2 points) 2008 Queensland Pacing Championship Blacks A Fake (1 point) 2008 Trans-Tasman Blacks A Fake (1 point) 2008 Christchurch Casino NZ Cup Changeover NZ (2 points) 2008 Woodlands Stud NZ Pacing Free For All Auckland Reactor NZ (2 points) 2008 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile Divisive (2 points) 2008 Treuer Memorial Robin Hood (2 points) 2008 SEW Eurodrive Victoria Cup Melpark Major (2 points) 2008 Wrest Point Tasmanian Pacing Championship Bold Cruiser NZ (2 points) 2009 Stallion Station Fremantle Pacing Championship Power of Tara NZ (2 points) 2009 SA Pacing Cup Mister Swinger (2 points) 2009 Find 30 WA Pacing Cup Mysta Magical Mach NZ (2 points) 2009 Find 30 Australian Pacing Championship 2009 Ballarat Pacing Cup 2009 Hunter Cup 2009 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup 11.2 The winners of the following races will receive two (2) bonus points for their initial win and one (1) bonus point for each subsequent win. 2008 The Graduate Series (The Meadowlands, USA) Mr Feelgood USA (2 points) 2008 Canadian Pacing Derby (Mohawk, Canada) Mister Big USA (2 points) Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 3 of 11
11.3 In the Preliminary s points will be allocated as per the below table: Placing Points 1 st 13 2 nd 10 3 rd 8 4 th 6 5 th 5 6 th 4 7 th 3 8 th 2 9 th 1 Did Not Finish/SCR 0 11.4 In the Qualifying s points will be allocated as per the below table: Placing Points 1 st 16 2 nd 13 3 rd 11 4 th 9 5 th 8 6 th 7 7 th 6 8 th 5 9 th 4 10 th 3 11 th 2 12 th 1 Did Not Finish/SCR 0 11.5 Where there is a dead-heat in any race listed in clauses 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 all points for the placings are to be added together and divided by the number of dead-heaters. Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 4 of 11
12 FIELD SELECTION AND PROGRESS THROUGH THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 12.1 Preliminary s Fields for the Preliminary s will be allocated according to the Championship Series Rankings at the time of declarations of starters and reserves and placed into heats as per the below table: Preliminary A Preliminary B Preliminary C Preliminary D 1 2 3 4 8 7 6 5 9 10 11 12 16 15 14 13 17 18 19 20 24 23 22 21 25 26 27 28 32 31 30 29 33 34 35 36 12.2 Qualifying s Fields for the Qualifying s are to be drawn according to the placings in the Preliminary s and Final Championship Series Rankings as per the below table: Qualifying A Qualifying B Qualifying C 1 st (1HR) 1 st (2HR) 1 st (3HR) 2 nd (2HR) 2 nd (1HR) 1 st (4HR) 2 nd (3HR) 2 nd (4HR) 3 rd (1HR) 3 rd (4HR) 3 rd (3HR) 3 rd (2HR) 4 th (1HR) 4 th (2HR) 4 th (3HR) 5 th (2HR) 5 th (1HR) 4 th (4HR) 5 th (3HR) 5 th (4HR) 6 th (1HR) 6 th (4HR) 6 th (3HR) 6 th (2HR) 7 th (1HR) 7 th (2HR) 7 th (3HR) 8 th (2HR) 8 th (1HR) 7 th (4HR) 8 th (3HR) 8 th (4HR) 9 th (1HR) 9 th (4HR) 9 th (3HR) 9 th (2HR) Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 5 of 11
1HR = Highest Ranked 2HR = 2 nd Highest Ranked 3HR = 3 rd Highest Ranked 4HR = 4 th Highest Ranked 12.3 Race Splits a) Where two or more horses with an identical trainer and/or owners are drawn in the same in clauses 12.1 and 12.2 the following changes are to be made, with a trainer clash being changed in the first instance: i. The lowest ranked effected horse is to be swapped with the next highest ranked horse. ii. iii. iv. If the swap described in clause 12.3 a) i) creates another instance of two or more horses being drawn together then the highest ranked effected horse is to be swapped with the next lowest ranked horse. If the swap described in clause 12.3 a) ii) creates another instance of two or more horses being drawn together then the lowest ranked effected horse is to be swapped with the next lowest ranked horse. If the swap described in clause 12.3 a) iii) creates another instance of two or more horses being drawn together then the highest ranked effected horse is to be swapped with the next highest ranked horse. v. If the swap described in clause 12.3 a) iv) creates another instance of two or more horses being drawn together then the HRQ Handicappers are to re-draw horses ensuring that trainers and owners do not have more than one horse in each and that the race split is kept as close to as described in clauses 12.1 and 12.2 as possible. b) If individual trainers and/or owners have 4 or more horses engaged in the Championship Series then horses are to be split as follows: 4 5 6 7 8 9 Preliminary s (4) Qualifying s (3) 1, 1, 1, 1 2, 1, 1, 1 2, 2, 1, 1 2, 2, 2, 1 2, 2, 2, 2 3, 2, 2, 2 2, 1, 1 2, 2, 1 2, 2, 2 3, 2, 2 3, 3, 2 3, 3, 3 i. In the instance where horses are drawn differently to the above table in clauses 12.1 and 12.2, the HRQ Handicappers are to redraw horses ensuring that the race split is kept as close to as described in clauses 12.1 and 12.2 as possible. Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 6 of 11
12.4 Grand Final a) The Championship Series Grand Final will comprise the 12 horses with the most cumulative points as described in clauses 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4 and 11.5. b) Should there be multiple horses on the same amount of cumulative points ranked 12 th then there will be a count back as follows: i. The best placing in the Preliminary and Qualifying s, if still tied, ii. iii. The second best placing in the Preliminary and Qualifying s, if still tied, The fastest individual time in the 1609m Preliminary s, calculated at 1000 th of a second. c) The horse ranked 13 th on the cumulative points table is to be the emergency for the Grand Final, if there are multiple horses ranked 13 th, the same count back as described in 12.4 b) is to be used. In the event of a scratching from the Grand Final, the emergency automatically becomes a starter in the Grand Final and will not be permitted to start in the Consolation. d) In the event that a horse that has qualified to start in the Grand Final is withdrawn prior to acceptance time for the Grand Final, the next ranked horse with the most cumulative points not selected in the Grand Final field is to be the emergency to provide for a capacity field of 12 starters plus 1 emergency. 12.5 Consolation a) The Consolation will comprise the horses ranked 13 th - 24 th and will include the emergency for the Grand Final should that horse not gain a start in the Grand Final. b) Should there be multiple horses on the same amount of cumulative points for the final position in the field then there will be a count back as follows: i. The best placing in the Preliminary and Qualifying s, if still tied, ii. iii. The second best placing in the Preliminary and Qualifying s, if still tied, The fastest individual time in the 1609m Preliminary s, calculated at 1000 th of a second. 13 SCHEDULE OF FEES AND PAYMENT TIMES Refund Conditions Fee $ Deadline Scratched Withdrawn Balloted Nomination 550 Noon, Friday, 9 January 2009 X X X First Acceptance 1,650 Noon, Friday, 30 January 2009 X X Late Nomination 22,000 Noon, Tuesday 24 February 2009 X X X Final Acceptance 3,300 Noon, Friday, 27 February 2009 X X Starter in Grand Final 8,250 Not Applicable N/A Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 7 of 11
Legend for Refund Conditions: X = No refund of fee = Fee fully refunded Note: All fees quoted above are inclusive of 10% GST. HRQ will invoice fees to the managing owner of nominated horses immediately after the respective deadline dates listed above. All fees are to be paid in accordance with the HRQ payment terms of 7 days from receipt of invoice. Failure to pay by the required time will result in the owners being placed on the national unpaid forfeits list and therefore the horses being ineligible to race in the series. Nomination fees and Late Nomination Fees are non refundable. First acceptance and final acceptance fees are refundable for horses that are subsequently balloted from the Championship Series. Horses that are scratched or withdrawn from the Championship Series after the relevant acceptance dates are liable for the applicable acceptance fees that are up until the date of withdrawal or scratching. 14 NOMINATIONS 14.1 Lodging Nominations To be eligible to contest the Championship Series a horse must be nominated by the due date and time and is subject to the payment of the respective nomination fee. A nomination must be submitted on a nomination form and signed by the owner, trainer or authorised agent and lodged by mail, email, facsimile or by hand at the offices of HRQ ONLY, except trainers that are registered for HarnessWeb in Queensland may nominate via HarnessWeb. Postal Address: Office Address: Harness Racing Queensland PO Box 252 ALBION QLD 4010 AUSTRALIA Albion Park Raceway Amy Street ALBION QLD Facsimile Number: (07)3262 7363 Email: watpacid09@qld.harness.org.au 14.2 Late Nomination Late nominations will be accepted between Noon, Friday 9 January 2009 and Noon, Tuesday 24 February 2009. The schedule of fees and payment times are described in clause 13. Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 8 of 11
14.3 Agreement An owner, trainer or authorised agent, by nominating a horse for the Championship Series agrees to abide by the Australian Harness Racing Rules and these Conditions. 15 HORSES REMAIN ACCEPTORS UNLESS WITHDRAWN 15.1 A horse that is nominated for the Championship Series automatically becomes a First Acceptor unless it is withdrawn prior to the date and time fixed for the First Acceptance - Noon, Friday, 30 January 2009. 15.2 A First Acceptor for the Championship Series automatically becomes a Final Acceptor unless it is withdrawn prior to the date and time fixed for the Final Acceptance - Noon, Friday, 27 February 2009. Note: Owners will be liable for payment of the respective acceptance fees if their horses are not withdrawn by the due date and time for payment of such fees. 16 HORSES SCRATCHED AFTER FINAL ACCEPTANCES 16.1 It will be a condition of nomination that a horse scratched from the Championship Series after Final Acceptances will not be eligible to compete in any other race at any meeting for the period commencing the first night of the Championship Series until the completion of the Championship Series unless permission is granted by the Board of the Harness Racing Queensland ( the Board ). 16.2 Where a reason unacceptable to the Board of the Harness Racing Queensland ( the Board ) is given for the scratching of a horse after Final Acceptances, such horse will not be permitted to race at any race track for a period of eight weeks from the first night of the Championship Series. 17 DECLARATION OF STARTERS AND RESERVES A list of starters and reserves selected in accordance with the final rankings will be declared at Noon on Wednesday, 4 March 2009. 18 SCRATCHING AND WITHDRAWAL OF HORSES Scratchings and withdrawals must be in writing and signed by either the owner, trainer or authorised agent and lodged by mail, email, facsimile or by hand at the offices of HRQ ONLY, except trainers that are registered for HarnessWeb in Queensland may scratch or withdraw via HarnessWeb. 19 FIXED ODDS BETTING With fixed odds betting to be offered on the Championship Series, owners and trainers are reminded of their obligation to advise HRQ at the earliest possible time of a withdrawal or scratching. Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 9 of 11
20 RACE MEETING ATTENDANCE Trainers shall ensure that all horses are on course with an attendant at least three (3) hours prior to the advertised starting time of the race in which they are an acceptor and their attendance is notified to HRQ staff at the Horse Gate Entrance of the racetrack. 21 HANDICAPPING PENALTIES Winners of Championship Series races will incur handicapping penalties in accordance with the Australian Handicapping Rules. 22 TRAVEL SUBSIDIES There will be no travel subsidies for the Championship Series. 23 GENERAL The Championship Series and all proceedings in connection therewith will be conducted under the Australian Rules of Harness Racing. 24 DISQUALIFICATION 24.1 The conduct of the Championship Series is stipulated to be subject to Rule 195A(2) which relevantly provides: (2) If in relation to a race to which this rule applies a blood, urine, saliva or other sample or specimen is taken from a horse when it is presented for such race and a certificate from a person or drug testing laboratory approved by the controlling body certifies the presence of a prohibited substance in such specimen or sample then the horse shall be immediately disqualified from participating in any other race for which the race in question provides a qualification or participation. 24.2 Any horse which is disqualified from the Championship Series under clause 24.1 shall incur the same embargo at the discretion of the Board of Harness Racing Queensland ( the Board ) in accordance with clause 16.1 and/or 16.2. 24.3 In the event that any horse initially qualifies for the Grand Final of the Championship Series, but is subsequently disqualified from a Preliminary or Qualifying prior to the declaration of fields for the Grand Final of the Championship Series, the horse that is next in line for qualification for the Grand Final of the Championship Series shall be elevated into the field. 25 SECURITY & SAMPLING PROCEDURES 25.1 HRQ reserves the right under the Australian Harness Racing Rules to undertake surveillance and/or security it deems necessary on the contestants to ensure the integrity of the Championship Series. 25.2 HRQ reserves the right under the Australian Harness Racing Rules to inspect, examine or test in any manner they consider appropriate any horse participating in the Championship Series at any time. 26 SPECIAL CONDITIONS 26.1 Harness Racing Queensland reserves the right to make any alterations or amendments to these Conditions as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the Championship Series due to a change or special circumstances. 26.2 The decision of Harness Racing Queensland will be final in respect of any dispute or matter relating to these Conditions. Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 10 of 11
27 CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TIMETABLE Nominations Close Noon, Friday 9 January 2009 First Rankings Noon, Wednesday, 14 January 2009 Second Rankings Noon, Wednesday, 28 January 2009 First Acceptance Due Noon, Friday, 30 January 2009 Third Rankings Noon, Wednesday, 11 February 2009 Late Nominations Close Noon, Tuesday, 24 February 2009 FINAL Rankings Noon, Wednesday, 25 February 2009 FINAL Acceptance Due Noon, Friday, 27 February 2009 Declaration of Starters and Reserves Noon, Wednesday, 4 March 2009 Fields Drawn for Preliminary s 4pm, Tuesday, 10 March 2009 Preliminary s Gold Coast, Saturday, 14 March 2009 Fields Drawn for Qualifying s 4pm, Tuesday, 17 March 2009 Qualifying s Gold Coast, Saturday, 21 March 2009 Barrier Draw for Grand Final Conrad Jupiter s Casino, 3pm, Monday, 23 March 2009 Barrier Draw for Consolation HRQ Offices, 1pm, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 Grand Final and Consolation Gold Coast, Saturday, 28 March 2009 Version 1.3 19/01/2009 Page 11 of 11