ebcorde
10-07-2015, 01:20 PM
If anyone is interested in class on South Africa Racing forms.
There are two major groups of races.
Handicaps and non-Handicaps
.
In Handicap races weight are set according to official Merit Ratings (MR), where each points counts for ˝ kg in weight to be carried. Merit Ratings are derived from previous performances, and are allocated by the Official Handicapper.
In setting weights for Handicap races an adjustment is also made for younger horses (weight-for-age) according to a set table – younger horses get an allowance depending on time of year and distance to compensate for their lack of maturity.
Non-handicaps are races where weights are set according to published conditions – which can be anything.
Pinnacle, graduation and progress plates usually have weights set according to number of previous wins for each horse.
Weight for age races (WFA) are races where weights are the same for all runners of the same age and sex – it represents a level contest where the best horse should win.
Listed and Graded (Gr1, Gr2, Gr3) indicate better quality races, where the first three finishers are awarded ‘black type’ which shows up in sales catalogues. Listed and Graded do not influence the conditions of races.
There are two major groups of races.
Handicaps and non-Handicaps
.
In Handicap races weight are set according to official Merit Ratings (MR), where each points counts for ˝ kg in weight to be carried. Merit Ratings are derived from previous performances, and are allocated by the Official Handicapper.
In setting weights for Handicap races an adjustment is also made for younger horses (weight-for-age) according to a set table – younger horses get an allowance depending on time of year and distance to compensate for their lack of maturity.
Non-handicaps are races where weights are set according to published conditions – which can be anything.
Pinnacle, graduation and progress plates usually have weights set according to number of previous wins for each horse.
Weight for age races (WFA) are races where weights are the same for all runners of the same age and sex – it represents a level contest where the best horse should win.
Listed and Graded (Gr1, Gr2, Gr3) indicate better quality races, where the first three finishers are awarded ‘black type’ which shows up in sales catalogues. Listed and Graded do not influence the conditions of races.