EXECUTIVES from Racing NSW and Racing Victoria will meet later in the month to discuss a proposal to change the system for rating tracks. Racing Victoria chairman Rob Roulston, chairman of stewards Terry Bailey, Executive General Manager of Racing Greg Carpenter will meet with Racing NSW CEO Peter V’Landys, chairman of stewards Ray Murrihy, ATC Racecourse Manager Lindsay Murphy as well as special projects manager Scott Kennedy on Thursday, January 23.
Roulston and Bailey are keen for an overhaul of the track ratings system that places a numerical figure next to the condition of the track.
The Racing Victoria proposal would also see a change in terminology which they believe would put Australian racing on the same level as other international jurisdictions.
It would see the removal of Fast, Dead and Slow and replaced by Firm, Yielding and Soft
Murphy was the architect of the current system back in 2005 in response to demand from punters and trainers about additional information regarding track conditions.
Murrihy said he went into the meeting with an “open mind” and acknowledged there appeared advantages of a “language” that could be understood more easily internationally.
“The word Dead is not an attractive word,” Murrihy said.
“The suggestion from Victoria is that New South Wales and Victoria embark on a trial period. It’s a toe in the water to see what parties think.”
Murrihy said he'd asked for the views from the jockeys, trainers and owners. (www.racingnetwork.com.au).