Racing: Starters to now stand in front of barriers

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is continuing investigations into an incident on Saturday at Riccarton in which a barrier attendant was caught in front of the barrier as the runners were released. The attendant was bruised but not badly hurt.

NZTR has directed that starters must be positioned in front of the barrier when starting races from overhead barriers (as opposed to open-top barriers).

Cameron George, NZTR chief stipendiary steward, said yesterday: "We are not only reinforcing with all starters their obligations under NZTR's Starter's Manual issued last year but also our directive that starters must have a clear view of the track in front of the barriers every time they start a race.

"With overhead barriers a starter's vision can be impaired.

"The majority of our barriers are open-top but we have overhead barriers at the three main metropolitan tracks - Ellerslie, Trentham and Riccarton - as well as Waterlea Raceway at Blenheim."