Overdue
Great to see that HRNZ have closed a glaring fault in the current Handicapping System with the following announcement:
At its meeting on 10 July 2019, the HRNZ Board resolved that all totalisator clubs shall pay stake monies to the first five place-getters in a totalisator race. Whilst clubs have the discretion to determine the breakdown of prize money paid, it is a requirement that the payment for fifth is not less than 3% of the total stake. This requirement is effective from 1 August 2019.The decision to pay stakes to the first five place-getters brings stakes payments into line with the Ratings Handicapping system and will ensure consistency across New Zealand.
Your Association has been pushing for this for a while, realising that a horse that finishes fifth in a race where stakes are only paid to the first four home has been treated unfairly, not dropping a point, yet gaining no financial advantage.
Pete Cook