Trainers push for an end to class system

HONG KONG trainers will push the Jockey Club to scrap the present class system of racing which has been in place for half a century in favour of races run strictly to ratings.

It would be a fundamental change, if implemented, but one which would streamline racing and do away with a class system which has become basically obsolete and very definitely emasculated over the past decade.

Licensed trainers yesterday voted unanimously in favour of the change and their proposal will be given to the Director of Racing, Philip Johnston, on Monday.

Hong Kong racing is almost entirely made up of handicap races and was run for decades on a rigid Classification system with promotion and demotion the way out of a designated class for any horse.

Some years ago the Jockey Club introduced ratings for every horse in training and then the system of overlapping, whereby a horse on or below a certain mark could compete in the next lower class. Conversely, off another mark or higher, a horse could be declared for a race in the Class above.

A typical Class Three race at Sha Tin could now be made up of horses from Classes Two, Three and Four.

'It is really a matter of regulating what is basically in place but it would have considerable benefits for racing,' said one leading trainer last night.