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4
AUSTRALIAN RULES OF RACING
The Racing Australia Board is the only authority which is empowered
to set and amend the Australian Rules of Racing which for more than
a century have provided common practices, conditions and integrity
standards for thoroughbred racing throughout Australia.
The individual State and Territory Principal Racing Authorities (PRAs)
may make Local Rules for specific local conditions provided that they
are not inconsistent with the principles established by the Australian
Rules of Racing.
Broadly described, there are nine parts to the Australian Rules of
Racing:
I.
INTERPRETATION
Glossaries with accompanying definitions and interpretations.
II.
STEWARDS
Providing for the appointment, functions and powers of the
Stewards.
III. REGISTRATION / LEASES
Providing for the registration of race clubs and race
meetings and the appointment, functions and powers of the
Registrar of Racehorses.
IV. RACE MEETINGS
Providing uniform conditions for the conduct of race meetings
including nominations and acceptances, stakes and forfeits,
weight penalties and allowances, scratching, weighing out
and weighing in, starting, running, judging and protests.
V.
LICENSING
Providing for the licensing of jockeys, apprentice jockeys,
amateur riders and trainers, their movement between States
and outside Australia, apprentices allowances, rider safety.
VI. SYNDICATES
Regulating the public and private formation, conduct and
termination of racing syndicates.
VII. OFFENCES
Proscribing dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or
dishonorable actions or practices in connection with
racing, including a list and setting out the regime relating to
prohibited substances.
VIII. PENALTIES
Providing the penalties of fines, suspension, disqualification,
warning off.
IX. CONSTITUTIONAL
Providing the structure, powers and functions of Racing
Australia.
The major benefits of the Australian Rules have been:
I.
FREE TRAFFIC BETWEEN STATES.
Uniform rules allow horses, trainers and jockeys to move
freely between States.
II. MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF DISCIPLINARY AND
PROTECTIVE ACTION.
The Australian Rules provide a disciplinary code that has
been tested to the level of the High Court of Australia,
and allow mutual recognition of disciplinary and protective
actions across the Commonwealth and internationally.
III. INTERNATIONAL
Racing and wagering are globalising rapidly. The Australian
Rules are recognised by international racing authorities and
wagering operators.
PRINCIPAL RACING AUTHORITIES
Racing Australia membership consists of the six State and two
Territory racing authorities, which are recognised by the Australian
Rules as Principal Racing Authorities.
The Principal Racing Authorities in each State and Territory are as
follows:
New South Wales
Racing NSW
Victoria
Racing Victoria Limited
Queensland
Racing Queensland
Western Australia
Racing & Wagering Western Australia
South Australia
Thoroughbred Racing S.A. Limited
Northern Territory
Thoroughbred Racing NT
Tasmania
Tasracing Pty Ltd
Australian Capital Territory Canberra Racing Club Inc.
In discharging its responsibility for the control and supervision of
thoroughbred racing in its State or Territory each of these bodies
has such functions as:
• Registering and supervising race clubs
• Licensing trainers, jockeys, bookmakers and their clerks and
other industry participants
• Handicapping
• Industry Marketing
• Industry Publications
• Administration of industry funding
• Appointing Stewards’ panels to apply the Rules of Racing
• Industry strategic planning
• Intellectual Property
MAJOR RACING ASSOCIATIONS
Major Racing Associations are bodies that represent a number
of race clubs within a specific region, usually a group of non-
metropolitan race clubs within a State. The Major Racing
Associations in each State and Territory are as follows:
New South Wales
Provincial Racing Association of
NSW Racing NSW Country
Victoria
Country Racing Victoria Inc
Queensland
Queensland Country Racing
Committee
Western Australia
WA Provincial Racing Association
Country Racing Association of WA
South Australia
South Australian Racing Clubs Council
The roles of these bodies include:
• To provide collective representation on behalf of race clubs to
Principal Racing Authorities
• Encourage participation and provide benefits from racing for
members, owners, on-course and off-course customers, and
industry participants within their jurisdiction
• Develop relationships with other industry bodies
• Maintaining and enhance racing and training facilities
• Maintaining and enhance customer service and facilities
AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED RACING STRUCTURE