Sword over David Ferraris

HONG KONG – Trainers battling to meet the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s benchmark performance levels are about to have the blowtorch applied to them as the bar is to be raised even higher.

Raising the benchmark licensing criteria has not been addressed since the number of meetings a season was increased from 78 to 83 in the 2009-10 season but trainers have unofficially been informed there will be changes and the South China Morning Post understands official confirmation of those changes is imminent.

Under the current criteria, trainers are subject to a “three strikes” policy, requiring them to train at least 13 winners per season and that number is about to go to 15.

One of the trainers facing the axe is South African David Ferraris, who has saddled 11 winners so far this season.

In the past, trainers have been able to call on their second and third placings to make their case for a satisfactory performance, but the club may remove that option and replace it with a similar argument based on earnings.

In addition to the raised benchmarks, trainers have already been informed unofficially they must sign a code of conduct agreement as a prerequisite to being licensed.

A trainer missing the mark for the first time is asked to submit a written explanation for his stable’s poor performance to the licensing committee. Following a second failure, the trainer is placed on notice that another failure to meet the criteria, at any time in the future, will result in a “show cause” hearing. The third strike is that hearing to show cause why a licence should be issued for the next season.

The performance benchmarks were introduced in the 1999-2000 season when the requirements were for 12 wins and HK$6-million in stakes.

In 2003, that was tightened to 13 wins, HK$8-million in stakes, a 5% winning strike rate and a requirement for stable strength of at least 20 sound horses. That is where the win benchmark has remained, although the prize money and win percentage clauses were removed in May 2007. – South China Morning Post.

bring it over here and shutdown a whole lot....

It is a free country. Anyone should be able to train without superficial restrictions.

i agree with keniza

Any racing authority applying this criteria and getting rid of bookmakers will see their product flourish.

If David was to come back it would be Hong Kong's loss and our gain, I feel our trainers ranks suffered with the loss of Payne, Shaw, Ferraris and Millard. Had the above never left Mike De Kock wouldn't have been where he is today !

Its all about the return on real estate ...

easy Wrote:

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> i agree with keniza
>
> Any racing authority applying this criteria and
> getting rid of bookmakers will see their product
> flourish.


I'll go with the bookmaker angle as long as a "fixed price" tote takes it's place ................I would give up punting horses if the tote was my only option..............in fact it would become a no-brainer for me to move to a country where I could access exchanges!!!

David is world-class. When he left here, everyone said he would not last a year. He will bounce back.

Neil P

is not about David, its about performance.......at least I am now vindicated by the HKJC they too believe its the MAN and NOT the horse.

The Man needs the Horse..lol maybe I am biased as David trained my first few runners and winners. He has had some great seasons in HK, maybe retire in Aus as he always wanted to do.His dad is my favourite trainer of all time.

Great guy great trainer, also trained for me but the numbers dont lie.