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Late last year the Australian Racing Board resolved to modernise track ratings to make them a clearer and more accurate guide for punters and industry participants alike.

The ARB issued a revised scale in January, 2014 and called for public and industry input.

Retention of the numerical scale of 1-10 was strongly endorsed by punters whilst most of the submissions centred on the ratings and their description.

The Chairmen of Stewards Committee and the Boards of the ARB and RISA subsequently reviewed and adopted the following changes to take effect from 1 December 2014.

“For several months now RISA has been working internally and with publishers of Racing Materials supplied by RISA to ensure this significant development and testing is completed by 1 December 2014.

“These changes are significant to the publication of Racing Materials, RISA’s focus has been to implement these changes while maintaining the integrity of the Racing Materials managed by RISA on behalf of the Thoroughbred Racing industry nationally”, said Myles Foreman Chief Executive Officer – RISA.

From 1 December 2014 the new track condition ratings for turf and synthetic tracks included in future race fields and race results will contain the new ratings as detailed below.

From 1 December 2014 historical race results and form guide products supplied or published by RISA which include race results will be updated so that the old ratings are replaced with the new ratings.

For other publishers of Racing Materials who maintain a historical database of race results retrospectively replacing the old ratings with the new is a matter for that publisher.

“Track ratings are a crucial element of decisions made by punters and trainers and it was essential that they had an input into any changes.

“The review sparked a lively debate about what should or shouldn’t be incorporated.

“Whilst there’s never going to be unanimity of view, I do believe there is as great a consensus as you are ever going to get. Importantly, the younger demographic believes the language to be more relevant and easily understood.“ ARB CEO Peter McGauran said today.

For Turf Tracks the following Track Rating Scale is effective 1 December 2014.

TURF TRACKS

Firm 1 Dry hard track

Firm 2 Firm track with reasonable grass coverage

Good 3 Track with good grass coverage and cushion

Good 4 Track with some give in it

Soft 5 Track with a reasonable amount of give in it

Soft 6 Moist but not a badly affected track

Soft 7 More rain-affected track that will chop out

Heavy 8 Rain affected track that horses will get into

Heavy 9 Wet track getting into a squelchy area

Heavy 10 Heaviest category track, very wet, towards saturation

A further review of adding a ratings scale for Synthetic Tracks is to be separately completed by the ARB. The outcome of the review will be announced and an implementation plan and timing separately advised.

For Sand / Dirt Tracks the Track Rating Scale no changes will be implemented on 1 December 2014, the Sand / Dirt Track rating scale will be updated separately on 1 March 2015.

For the period 1 December 2014 to 1 March 2015 the historical practice of utilising the turf ratings will continue based upon the new turf ratings which come into effect from 1 December 2014.