BOTRA Tas News

Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board

The Racing Appeal Board has published an information bulletin, which sets out the processes and procedures of the TRAB as a guide to interested persons.

2 January 2010

BOTRA members' draw

A free draw for BOTRA members was conducted at the first Carrick meeting of the season. First prize of a service to a Stallion Station stallion went to Grey Pearton. Minor prizes, kindly donated by Roberts, went to I Dunham, D Pennigot, P Watts and G Shaw.

15 Dec 2009

BOTRA minutes - October 2009

Attached for your information are the minutes of the BOTRA meeting held on 8 October 2009.

11 Nov 2009

Nursery register

Each year, whilst the majority of foalings are happily problem-free, occasionally a mare or foal is lost. BOTRA would like to help out by offering a contact point for breeders who find themselves with an orphaned foal or a mare that has lost its foal.

If you should be so unfortunate as to find yourself in this situation, please contact David Hayes on 0427 972 169 or email your details to Webwoman and we will put them into a nursery register on this site.

11 Nov 2009

BOTRA meeting report

Members may be interested to hear what BOTRA has been concerning itself with on their behalf. Now you can read the minutes of the BOTRA meeting held on 2nd September 2009.

Sept 07

National Trainers and Drivers Association

BOTRA Tas members will be interested to learn some of the outcomes of a national trainers and drivers forum held in Sydney on 2nd September 2009.

After ongoing discussion by relevant State bodies, it was agreed that there was a need for a national voice at HRA level, with that organisation promoting national policies. It was then agreed to form the National Trainers and Drivers Association, with all relevant State bodies being invited to join.

BOTRA Tas is pleased to announce that it will be represented at all future quarterly meetings, scheduled to be held in Sydney.

Topics discussed at the 2nd September meeting included the following.

Harness Racing Australia (HRA)

Consultation process : Delegates were concerned with the 'levels of bureaucracy' and the perceived lack of consultation and due process with recent trainers' and drivers' issues
National Rules : It was noted that HRA was moving to a National Rules approach

HRA Rules - proposed changes to whip regulations

Delegates expressed concern that HRA had proposed changes to whip regulations without consulting trainers and drivers. It was agreed that the new association would write to HRA, seeking a consultation meeting prior to the HRA meeting to be held on 12th October 2009, when new whip regulations are set to be ratified. Issues including safety concerns and whip length are to be included in the discussion.

Medication Rules

A general discussion took place on current issues, including a reported paper on use of therapeutic medication. It was noted that if authorities 'move the goalposts', then industry should be consulted/advised.

Racing Rules

It was agreed that the National Rules needed to be continually scrutinized and updated as required.

Handicapping

A general discussion took place on the new National Handicapping System. It was noted that States can utilise parts of the new system which suit their circumstances, at the same time remaining within the parameters of the new system. The meeting agreed that more effort was required in programming fillies and mares races and giving them let-ups as required. Statistics were tabled as to the number of Australian and New Zealand mares racing in North America. Claiming races were discussed and each State advised how they sought to implement these successfully.

Trainer and driver insurance and superannuation

It was agreed to reconsider trainer and driver insurance on a national basis and to investigate a national superannuation scheme for trainers and drivers.

Other business