The Levin Racing Club jumpouts meet a clear need in the racing programme.
The jumpouts at Levin have become a regular feature in Central Districts racing. The bonus for other clubs is that the Levin track is not used for race days so jumpouts can be run without impacting on a raceday surface.
The purpose of race days is self-evident, while trials are now run under very stringent conditions and are often used by owners and trainers as a selling vehicle. Trials are run under the Rukes of Racing.
Jumpouts bridge the gap between training gallops and trials providing a valuable service for owners, trainers and jockeys.
While it is true that some trainers use jumpouts as a substitute for trials, it is equally true that a larger number of trainers use jumpouts primarily as an education tool for both riders and horses.
As part of providing the industry with the best possible service, The Levin Racing Club now provides results from the jumpouts. These results should be interpreted with great care given the nature of jumpouts and with the following points very much in mind.
1. While NZTR stipendiary stewards are in attendance to ensure the safety of all involved, jumpouts are unofficial events not covered under the Rules of Racing.
2. Horses are entered by either race name, breeding, or stable name so identification of horses by punters may be difficult particularly for unraced horses. Levin Racing Club takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided to the club.
3. Horses on different ratings are mixed together in heats so results need analysing to gain meaningful information.
4. As the objective for some trainers is simply barrier education, results may be irrelevant as not all horses will run to the line.
5. Riders are not restricted to jockeys and apprentices so riding standards vary widely and no weights are recorded.
