Racing NSW will scrap all races restricted by the number of metropolitan wins from October 1 under changes to metropolitan and provincial programming.
The change will allow existing benchmark races to be accessed by all horses, which in theory will increase city field sizes.
Country-trained and performed horses will have the potential for greater weight relief which is designed to increase their competitiveness in these benchmark races.
Benchmark races will also be consolidated due to an increased spread in weights due to the top weight increase to 61kg.
The new metropolitan benchmark levels will be – Benchmark 93, Benchmark 85, Benchmark 78, Benchmark 72 and Benchmark 67. These will be in addition to open handicaps.
For a trial period, Racing NSW will also program more Benchmark 65 plus races in the provincial area.
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