Raf Sheik – provides clarity
With effect from 18 June 2019, any unraced horse participating in KwaZulu-Natal must have a valid Barrier Trial Certificate.
This was the thrust of an email despatched by Gold Circle Racing Executive Raf Sheik, who listed the broad guidelines and rules applicable.
- Barrier Trials will be compulsory for all unraced horses,
- Barrier Trials will be run under the under the Rules of the National Horseracing Authority.
- Horses will have to run within 150 days of their trials calculated to the acceptance date.
- Trials will be held on the Greyville Polytrack preceeding race meetings or on Turf when deemed necessary.
- A maximum of 3 trials may be held on Turf at Greyville Racecourse during the period of Scottsville’s spring treatment.
- Trials will be held over 800, 900 or 1 000 meters and only horses finishing within 54, 62 and 66 seconds respectively will be deemed to have qualified.
- Horses not needing a Barrier Trial will be permitted to run, field size permitting. Gold Circle will cover all related costs however a fee of R300 will be payable. This will also apply to horses having a 2nd barrier trial.
- Horses will have to be nominated for a trial and riders must trial in the registered owners colours or the colours of the trainer. Club Colours will also be permitted. Once all acceptors for a barrier trial have been declared by their trainers, management will allocate the field for the trial at their sole discretion. The field/s will be printed in the Racecard.
- Management will endeavour to allocate the final trial field based on what appears to be most suited.
- 8 day suspension for scratchings under veterinary reason will also apply to barrier trials.
- Weights will be allocated between 56kgs and 60kgs plus overweight if necessary, to allow for W.F.A.
- Gold Circle may, on written application, grant an exemption to a horse domiciled outside the province of KZN from participating in a barrier trial at the time of final acceptance for any Graded race.
- Gold Circle may under exceptional circumstances grant an exemption to a horse from participation in a barrier trial, provided that the trainer applies in writing for such exemption and it is supported by a veterinary certificate. Such application is to be received by the NRB within 10 days of the planned race participation.
- Transport will leave approximately 30mins before “normal” times.
- Gold Circle will, reserve the right to determine the “field”and the number of trials on any given day.
- The results of trials will be published in the official racecard and videos posted on-line at www.goldcircle.co.za (click on YouTube the icon).
