Racing: Starters' fees on cards for maidens

Maiden losers are expected to be financially rewarded from the next racing season.

The New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) yesterday announced it plans to pay a "starters' fee" for maiden horses who do not earn a stake.

Chief executive Graeme Hansen said the amount of the starters' fee had not been determined but he expected it to be about the equivalent of a jockey's fee, which is $100.

NZRB also announced developments in drug testing which would also include testing from trial events.

"The board has committed to working with the codes [thoroughbred, harness and greyhounds] to extend the capability of laboratory processes and equipment," Hansen said.

"We want to assume direct responsibility for the contractual arrangements with the laboratory service provider."

As part of the laboratory initiative, Hansen said NZRB would work with the codes to establish an industry integrity unit.

"Our objective in this is to ensure a consistent approach is adopted by all codes to integrity matters.

"It is vital for the future of racing in this country that integrity is beyond question, so we have asked New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to immediately address random sampling at trials."

The board wishes to see that penetrometer readings, which measure the firmness of race tracks, be aligned to those used in Australia.

It also wants the readings to be conducted by stipendiary stewards rather than clubs.

Hansen added NZTR had been asked to consider trialling claiming races where horses in the race are placed on the market at advertised prices and are generally handicapped according to their asking price.

A harness claiming race is being run at Forbury Park tonight.

- NZPA