Regulations

1 Approved Gear

1.1 Bandages

1. Bandages must be fastened to the satisfaction of the Stipendiary Steward or Veterinary Surgeon.

1.2 Bits

1. Steel Ring or D-type Snaffle or Straight Bar.
2. Rubber-covered bits which show evidence of reinforcement with steel through the centre.
3. Ring Bits, either fixed or movable with ring-type attachment.

1.3.1 Blinkers and/or Pacifiers

1. Before a Trainer declares a horse to race with blinkers or pacifiers, the horse must:
   
   1. be certified tractable from a Starting Stall, wearing the appropriate blinkers or pacifiers, in the presence of a Stipendiary Steward or the Official Starter. Multiple gradings are permissible; and
   2. have galloped over a minimum distance of 1000 metres in the company of at least one other horse to the satisfaction of the testing official.
2.  Trainer must declare their intention to race a horse in blinkers and/or pacifiers as required, on the declaration form at the time of acceptance.
3. Permission to declare an Apprentice to ride a horse in a race, equipped with blinkers and/or pacifiers for the first time must be obtained prior to declaring the Apprentice.
4. Blinkers and/or pacifiers must be correctly fitted under the horse’s bridle and must be attached with buckles instead of velcro.
5. Permission to discontinue the use of blinkers and/or pacifiers on a horse, in a race, must be obtained from the Stewards.

1.3.2 Unless there are exceptional circumstances, permission to race in blinkers or pacifiers on the weekend of a meeting when the said horse has raced without them on the previous weekend will not be granted.

1.4 Boots

1. Boots shall be of good quality, light in weight and fastened with buckles. Interlocking material, press studs etc not permitted. Boots may be worn with elastoplasts but not with bandages.

1.5 Cheekers

1. Strap shall be attached to the bridle and down nasal bone to the bit and to be attached to the bit.

1.6 Ear Plugs/Ear Muffs

1. Ear plugs/muffs must be approved by the Stipendiary or Veterinary Surgeon.

1.7 Martingales

1. Martingales must be fitted in a manner approved by the Stipendiary Stewards or Veterinary Surgeon. Fixed or Standing Martingales are not permitted.

1.8 Racing Plates

1. Plates fitted for racing shall conform to the following:
   
   1. Not exceed the aggregate of 680 grammes inclusive of nails.
   2. Be properly fitted without protruding beyond the walls and heels of the foot.
   3. The fuller edges shall be level and the nail heads shall not protrude in excess of 2 millimetres from the ground bearing surface of the shoe. In addition, the nail heads should be of the ‘bevel head’ type.
   4. Clips shall be properly and safely fitted.
   5. Plates with toe grabs, calks or any other protrusion from the ground surface of the plate shall not be used.
2.  A Trainer shall obtain the written permission of the Stipendiary Stewards for the use of any special shoeing of a horse entered to race. Any written request for the use of special shoeing must be received not less than forty eight (48) hours prior to a race day to allow inspection by the Farrier and/or Veterinary Surgeon.
3. Permission to declare an Apprentice to ride a horse in a race, equipped with blinkers and/or pacifiers for the first time must be obtained prior to declaring the Apprentice.
4. A horse which is not fully shod shall not be permitted to race unless with the permission of the Stipendiary Stewards.

1.9 Reins

1. Reins which are approved by the Stewards. (Amended 1/12/10)

1.10 Shadow Rolls (Nose Band)

1. Rolls should project not more than 4 centimetres from the nasal bone when fixed and should not adversely impair the vision of the horse.

1.11 Tongue Ties

1. Tongue ties which are approved by a Stipendiary Steward or Veterinary Surgeon.

1.12 Whips (Amended 1/12/10)

1. Only whips (including padded) of a design and specification approved by the Stewards may be carried in races, official race trials, barrier tests or trackwork. (Amended 1/12/10)
2. Every such whip must be in a satisfactory condition and must not be modified in any way. (Amended 1/12/10)
3. The Stewards may confiscate any whip which in their opinion is not in a satisfactory condition or has been modified. (Amended 1/12/10)

1.13 General

1. Any additional gear, not referred to in this Regulation, shall not be worn by a horse in a race without the prior written approval and permission of the Stipendiary Stewards.
2. Any gear approved and used on a horse in a race shall continue to be used on that horse without variation until permission to the contrary has been obtained from the Stipendiary Stewards.
3. The Stipendiary Stewards may inspect any saddlery, general equipment and gear which is to be carried in a race. Any defective equipment found may be confiscated.
4. No person shall use or attempt to use defective equipment in a race. The person having charge of an Apprentice in a particular race shall also be responsible for ensuring that such Apprentice’s equipment is not defective.
5. When any horse is equipped in a way which may, in their opinion, be harmful to a horse in a race or when such equipment may, in their opinion, adversely affect the running of such horse, the Stipendiary Stewards may:
   
   1. Order the equipment concerned to be replaced or removed; or
   2. Withdraw the horse from the race.