Weight Scale & Allowances

1. In all handicaps, the highest rated entry in the field, plus the first three reserves, shall be allocated 133lb, unless the weight range for the race is 14lb or less, in which case the lowest weighted entry in the field, plus the first three reserves, shall be allocated 118lb, and the other entries weighted relative to that weight. Calculations shall be made after any weight-for-age allowance has been taken into account. Should any horse lower than reserve number 3 obtain a run or become a stand-by declared starter at the time of declaration, the weight for this horse and all other horses in the race shall be adjusted if necessary. In any event, the maximum weight shall be 133lb, and the minimum weight shall be not less than 113lb.
   
2. Northern Hemisphere-bred and Southern Hemisphere-bred 2-year-olds (as at 31st December) will receive a 5lb weight-for-age allowance in all handicaps, where applicable.
   
3. Horses which are entitled to a 5lb weight-for-age allowance may be entered in handicap races for which the published upper rating limit is up to and including 5lb below their handicap rating.
   

Class Structure

4. There will be five race classes in addition to Group and Griffin races. In handicap races, the standard upper rating limit for each class will be as follows :

Adjustment of Ratings

5. The maximum rating increase for horses placed second to fifth shall be 5 rating points in handicap races, and 10 rating points in non-handicap races. No rating increase will be made to horses finishing sixth or lower in any race.

Allocation of Ratings

6. Ratings for new imports in the season will be as follows:

   Previously Raced Horses (PP)

   Ratings will be allocated based on the Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicappers’ assessment of overseas performance.

   Privately Purchased Griffins (PPG) and International Sale Griffins (ISG)

   a. PPG and ISG which are 3 years old on 31st December will be allocated a rating of 57 (Northern Hemisphere-bred) or 52 (Southern Hemisphere-bred) on arrival.

   b. Southern Hemisphere-bred PPG and ISG who are 2 years old on 31st December will race in Griffin races.

   c. Northern Hemisphere-bred PPG and ISG which are 2 years old on 31st December will also be eligible to race in Griffin races. In addition, from 1st January, they will be eligible to race in class handicaps. A Northern Hemisphere PPG or ISG which is entered for a handicap will be allocated a handicap rating at the time of entry. The initial rating will be 57 if the horse has not raced, but may be amended if the horse has raced. Once allocated a rating, these Northern Hemisphere-bred horses are not eligible for Griffin races, unless otherwise specified in the conditions of the race.

   d. A winner of two Griffin races will be allocated a rating immediately.

   e. After 1st June, a trainer has the option to request that a rating be allocated to a horse that has won a Griffin race.

   f. No horse allocated a rating is eligible for Griffin races unless otherwise specified in the conditions of the race.

   g. The initial minimum rating allocated to a Griffin winner will be 60 for Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and 55 for Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds.

   h. The maximum initial rating for a maiden Griffin that has been placed second, third or fourth will be 60, and that for a raced but unplaced Griffin will be 57.

   i. All unrated Griffins will be allocated a rating at the end of the season.

   j. Griffins which are unraced at the end of the season will be allocated an initial rating of 57 (Northern Hemisphere-bred) or 52 (Southern Hemisphere-bred).