ARF Ground Rules Response
Australian Pattern Committee Chairman, Alan Brown, has responded to criticisms of the Australian Racing Board’s decision to adopt the Asian Racing Federation Ground Rules for quality control of black type racing.
These criticisms , which have been made by Rob Waterhouse, and have been published today are responded to in detail by Alan Brown as follows:
1. Nearly all of Australia’s Group races measure up to the new international benchmarks set by the ARF’s Ground Rules.
2. An extensive analysis carried out by Greg Carpenter, Australia’s most senior handicapper, and the Australian Pattern Committee (AusPC) confirm that there will be little negative impact on Australia’s Pattern Races either immediately, or over time.
3. Under the new ARF Ground Rules, Group 1 Races only have to reach a rating which is 5 lb of its parameter once in any of their previous 3 runnings to avoid a warning letter or once in the previous 4 years to avoid relegation. That means for example, in open class Group 1 races, they only need to reach a rating of 110 once every 4 years to avoid relegation.
4. Until now, Australia has adopted 110 rating for open class Group 1 Races. The new parameter is 115. However, we have operated on 110 with no tolerance. In Europe and elsewhere, they operate on 115, with a 5 lb tolerance. In other words, their Group 1 parameters (and the new ARF Ground Rules) are effectively the same as has been in place in Australia for some time.
5. With Group 2 and Group 3 races, they are only in danger of relegation if the Annual Race Rating remains more than 3 lb below its parameter for each of the previous 3 seasons. Even then, changes can be made to its conditions giving a further 1 year, a total of 4 years to meet the benchmark rules once, before relegation occurs.
6. The VRC Derby and Oaks will not be “quickly attacked’ as Rob suggests. They have both met the minimum benchmarks required and I see no reason why they won’t do so in the future. Whilst true that some staying races may rate lower than many shorter distance races (as they do all over the world, particularly beyond 2400m) the new rating benchmarks are not that onerous that immediately after 2016 (when relegation can first occur) or even in time, that a number of staying races will automatically be downgraded.
7. Australia’s own ratings have been traditionally very conservative. This is evident from the acceptance at international level of more robust ratings in recent years which have seen many of the ratings of our horses and races increase significantly.
8. The International racing community want common Ground Rules for assessment of Pattern Races to apply across all regions. We have fought very hard for years to have our Pattern Races accepted at international level. If Australia opted out as Rob suggests, we would be removed from Part 1 of the Blue Book and our Pattern Races would then be regarded as “domestic” only, and would add little value to a horse that wins them, for anyone outside of Australia.
9. There is nothing to prevent Administrators from continuing to support staying races with programming and increased prizemoney. If that attracts better class horses over time, ratings will improve or be maintained.
10. Our ratings are first determined by the ANZ Classification Committee (ANZCC) of which Greg Carpenter is Chairman. He also represents Australia on the WRSC which is the final arbiter of international ratings.
11. The ARB have full confidence that Greg’s knowledge, experience and reputation will ensure Australia’s interests will be well catered for when our races are assessed at both the ANZCC and WRSC.
12. In adopting the ARF Ground Rules, Australia advised the APC that it reserved the right to withdraw from the ARF Ground Rules if after 4 years, the ARB was unhappy with their application.
The AusPC Chairman concluded by saying
“In summary, the concerns raised by Rob are not new and have been considered over the previous couple of years by AusPC and ARB. In my view, they have been more than adequately dealt with.”Alan Brown, Chairman, Australian Pattern Committee.
End Media Release.
For further inquires:
Mr Alan Brown
Chairman
Australian Pattern Committee
Mobile: 0414 283 544
Notes to editors
1. The Ground Rules have been made by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC). The APC, whose members are appointed by the Asian Racing Federation, has responsibility for quality control of black type racing within Asia under the international framework which has been established by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Australia is represented at the APC by the Chairman of AusPC.
2. The Ground Rules were adopted by the Australian Racing Board on 30th November, 2011. A copy of the Ground Rules is attached.
[14/12/2011]
