The controversial ratings-based handicapping system is to be replaced in NSW from October 1 with a system officials say will be truly merit-based.Under the BENCHMARK system, the weight a horse carries at its next start will be determined immediately after its previous race.Racing NSW said the new system would combine the best elements and resources of modern regulatory handicapping and private handicapping by form analysts working independently of the regulating authority."The BENCHMARK system i

The controversial ratings-based handicapping system is to be replaced in NSW from October 1 with a system officials say will be truly merit-based.

Under the BENCHMARK system, the weight a horse carries at its next start will be determined immediately after its previous race.

Racing NSW said the new system would combine the best elements and resources of modern regulatory handicapping and private handicapping by form analysts working independently of the regulating authority.

"The BENCHMARK system is a very exciting development for racing in this state," Racing NSW chief executive, Peter V'landys, said .

The BENCHMARK number denotes the weight each horse will carry at its next start with each BENCHMARK point equalling half a kilogram.

Immediately after every start, each horse will be assessed according to the merits of its performances against the entire horse population racing in NSW.

The assessment process will begin with a mathematical (computer-based) calculation from proprietary software developed by Racing And Sports Pty Ltd under contract to Racing NSW.

The computation takes into account relevant factors such as the quality of the field, sectional and race times, state of the track, number of starters, weight carried, beaten margin and recent and historical individual performances.

The computer ranking is than reviewed by experienced form analysts who then provide Racing NSW with a recommendation within 48 hours of each horse running.

Finally the panel of the Racing NSW handicapping department reviews the background to the recommendation, the race film and other race data, and confirms or varies the updated BENCHMARK for each horse.

Each horse will be reassessed before October 1 which may position it higher or lower on the scale than its current rating.

Country-performed horses will generally be reassessed on a lower range, with the result they may effectively drop approximately five to eight points, (2.5 to 4 kilos) from their current assessment when compared to their metropolitan and provincial counterparts.

Ratings races will be replaced by BENCHMARK races. The BENCHMARK figure published in the race program denotes the horse that will carry the minimum required topweight of 58kg in that event. Allowances apply for fillies and mares, and for three-year-olds.

Horses assessed above the BENCHMARK number of the race are still eligible to compete but will have to carry more weight than if they were in a higher-graded race.

"The BENCHMARK systems increases options for every horse as it can be nominated for more races on each program, then the connections can decide which race to contest after assessing its weight and competitiveness," V'landys said.

In a BENCHMARK race of 80 a horse with a BENCHMARK of 80 will carry 58kg. A horse with a BENCHMARK of 86 can be entered for the race and will carry 61kg.

Alternatively a horse with a BENCHMARK of 77 will carry 56.5kg with fillies and mares to receive a two-kilo allowance.