Rating Bands
Maiden horses
Will almost always be rated from 45-54 with the exception of those that perform in a higher class or in say a black-type three year old race. They can expect a higher rating. After three “misses” a maiden horse will revert to a mark of 45. These races will continue to be raced under set-weight conditions.
Rating Races
Races in New Zealand can be run under any Ratings band, but generally the following broad ratings band can apply:
Rating 65
These races are open to all horses with a rating up to and including 65 at the time of nomination. Given the fact that all horses with a rating up to 65 are eligible to run, the ratings band generally includes maidens, one win horses and horses with two or more wins, with an extended run of poor form line.
Rating 75
These races are open to all horses with a rating up to and including 75 at the time of nomination. Given the fact that all horses with a rating up to 75 are eligible to run, the ratings band generally includes maidens, 1 win horses and most two win horses, three win horses with a recent loss of form and horses with four or more wins with an extended poor form line.
Rating 85
These races are open to all horses with a rating up to and including 85 at the time of nomination. Given the fact that all horses with a rating up to 85 are eligible to run, the ratings band generally includes horses from maidens up to and including most 3 to 4 win horses as well as some open grade horses with poor recent form.
Open Class
Open Class horses will be rated from late 80’s upward. These races will be raced under handicap conditions with the exception of black-type weight-for-age races. It is important to remember that horses of a particular class that excel or conversely perform poorly, or drop-back horses, may well rate outside these parameters.
