Victoria closes ratings loophole

RACING Victoria has moved to close a loophole which would allow a repeat of bolter Skyfire’s Turnbull Stakes tilt at Winx.

Skyfire’s unlikely challenge at the world’s best mare last October alarmed purists who didn’t believe the 61-rater should have been allowed to contest the Group 1 Turnbull.

Skyfire started at $201 and duly finished last, beaten 26 lengths — earning a careerhigh $10,000 in the process.

RV has now introduced new minimum rating requirements for more than 60 of its best race meetings to ensure horses engaged “meet an appropriate standard for the level of competition”.

The new minimum rating requirements policy will come into effect from February 1 at all Saturday metropolitan meetings and the five standalone Saturday fixtures in country Victoria.

It will also extend to the six Friday night premier meetings at Moonee Valley, the Caulfield Cup Carnival, Melbourne Cup Carnival and all public holiday meetings which carry Saturday metropolitan-standard prizemoney.

Under the new rules, any horse contesting a Group race must have a minimum handicap rating of 70 for an open sex feature or 65 for fillies and mares feature.

RV’s Greg Carpenter said the new policy was reached in consultation with all three metropolitan race clubs, the Australian Trainers Association and the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association.