Effective from 1 January, 2010, every un-raced horse will have to be deemed as suitable for racing by RVL stewards before it is allowed to debut on Victorian tracks. Previously licensed agents were permitted to undertake this function throughout the state, however RVL stewards will now have the sole responsibility to pass horses to race.
Under changes to Local Rule 50, a horse must compete in a jump-out or official trial, over at least 600 metres and with at least two other horses, to the satisfaction of RVL stewards before it is permitted to race.
In addition, trainers may seek permission to conduct jump-outs for un-raced horses at private training facilities under the supervision of RVL Stewards, provided they meet a stringent approval process.
Additional changes to the policy regarding un-raced horses are;
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Horses must be officially named prior to entering a jump-out
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Racing colours must be worn in un-raced jump-outs
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Trainers must take a horse’s ID Card to jump-outs for the purpose of identification
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Trainers are required to nominate un-raced horses requiring approval with the club running the jump out by midday the day before the scheduled jump out or on the Friday before the jump out if the jump out is on a Monday
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An un-raced jump out will be cancelled if less than three horses nominate however all attempts will be made to ensure three horses contest the jump out. This may result in a horse already passed to race competing in the jump out
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All horses seeking to be passed to race will contest the same jump out/s
A schedule of jump outs that aims to satisfy trainer requirements will be published in Inside Racing each month (January to July schedule appears in the December issue of Inside Racing).