After applications from Clubs across NSW, a new withdrawal fee has been introduced by Harness Racing New South Wales which will be effective immediately.
The $44 fee will apply if a horse is withdrawn from a race after the fields have been made available for viewing.
HRNSW CEO John Dumesny acknowledged there was one exception to the Policy and that was for the Divided Stakes.
"In relation to the Divided Stakes fields, HRNSW understands connections may feel the need to withdraw a horse from a race and therefore each trainer will be allowed to withdraw one horse per meeting without the imposition of the fee," Dumesny said.
"HRNSW has implemented the rule from July 1 however due to the significant change affecting the entire industry and so trainers can become accustomed to the new process there will be a fee moratorium until August 1."
The new initiative will give the Clubs a clearer indication on how many horses will compete at meetings.
"A number of Clubs were experiencing difficulties with knowing what horses would remain in the nominations and therefore constitute races."
"The option of closing the viewing of nominations was not palatable to participants as previously experimented."
Greg Hayes