Trainers call for revamp
The Trainers' Association has proposed the abolition of the overlap system and a revamping of the Classic programme to include the first Hong Kong Guineas in a ground-breaking move to bring the public back to Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
The Association also wants to see added to the calendar a special series of races for the Miler Crown - a high-level addition to the current Triple Crown and Sprint Championship.
Against a backdrop of declining attendances and worried faces at the higher levels of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Trainers' Association has prepared a lengthy proposal for the Racing Committee.
The association hopes the Jockey Club will implement these proposals next season.
It follows on from meetings held recently between representatives of the association and senior Racing Department officials, including director of racing Philip Johnston, senior handicapper Martyn Stewart and chief stipendiary steward Clinton P. Pitts Jnr.
The most radical proposal is the abolition of the current overlap system, which sees horses on a certain rating being allowed to compete in one class lower or one class higher, depending on their rating.
So extensive has the overlapping become that it has diluted the class system of racing so that we now virtually have ratings racing, although this is not the concept that the Club wants.
The Trainers' Association proposal points out that there will be more races programmed for next season and there should be sufficient races to cater for all classes and distances.
It is proposed that, with the exception of Class One, every race will only cater for a range of 20 rating points to ensure that horses at the bottom of the handicap are not forced to race out of it.
Specifically, it is suggested that Class One is 101+ with Class Two rated between 81-100; Class Three 61-80; Class Four 41-60; Class Five 21-40; and Class Six 0-20.
The abolition of an overlap system would also cut down the lengthy reserve lists which now accompany all race entries.
The Trainers' Association believes that fans will be lured back to the racecourse if Hong Kong's best horses are seen in action more frequently.
The introduction of the Hong Kong Guineas is suggested for November 22 next season, restricted to three-year-olds, with a Guineas Trial programmed for October 26.
The Trial would be over 1,200 metres and the Guineas over 1,400 metres.
There is also a proposal to augment the present Triple Crown and Sprint Championship with a Miler Crown, which would consist of the Stewards Cup, a weight-for-age race on March 15 and the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, or whatever it may be named next season.
The proposal also calls for revamping of the Triple Crown into A and B categories, with the finale being, as usual, the Champions and Chater Cup.
Programme A would see the Hong Kong Guineas as the first leg, followed by the Hong Kong Derby and then the Champions and Chater, while Programme B would see horses make their way through the Stewards Cup and the Hong Kong Gold Cup to the Champions and Chater climax.
DT & TT guide - Pages 32-33
