NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 144 30 SEPTEMBER 2009

in a Race at a Race Meeting, or riding in any trials (including jump-outs or tests for certification purposes) or trackwork.

623 A Stipendiary Steward, who on reasonable grounds considers that a Rider may be unfit to fulfil a riding engagement for a Race, trial (including a jump-out or test for certification purposes), or trackwork because of injury, illness or other disability, may require the Rider to undergo a medical examination by a Registered Medical Practitioner in order to determine the Rider’s fitness for riding and a Rider who has been required to undergo such a medical examination shall not ride in any Race, trial (including a jump-out or test for certification purposes), or trackwork unless a medical clearance has first been obtained and a medical certificate to that effect has been produced to a Stipendiary Steward.

624 (1) If a Rider:

(a) is prevented by accident or illness; or

(b) in the opinion of a Stipendiary Steward or the Judicial Committee, is otherwise unfit to ride in a Race or trial (including a jump-out or test for certification purposes), or his removal is necessary to ensure safe riding in a Race or trial,

the Rider may, with the permission of the Stipendiary Steward, be replaced by another Rider.

(2) If, after a Rider has been weighed out for a horse, the horse is in the opinion of the Judicial Committee prevented by accident, injury, illness or other mishap from starting in a Race, a riding fee shall be paid to the Rider. The decision of the Judicial Committee shall be final.

BIRDCAGE

625 (1) A horse shall be in the birdcage not later than the time fixed by the Stipendiary Stewards (being the time specified in the Club’s race book or as otherwise specified by NZTR).

(2) A horse shall not be ordered to the starting post more than fifteen minutes before the appointed starting time (being the time specified in the Club’s race book or as otherwise specified by NZTR) and each horse shall be at the starting post ready to start at the appointed time.

626 (1) Unless the Stipendiary Stewards direct otherwise, a horse, on leaving the birdcage, shall before proceeding to the starting post be ridden in front of the stand.

(2) All horses and Riders shall remain in the charge of a Clerk of the Course on leaving the Birdcage until their arrival at the starting post.

STARTING BARRIERS

627 (1) Subject to sub-Rule (2), the order of stall positions at the starting post from which horses shall start shall be determined by NZTR either conducting a draw for such stall positions or using a random number selection facility.

(2) Where the order of stall positions is to be determined by a manual draw for promotional purposes, the draw shall be conducted by a Stipendiary Steward.

628 (1) At a Race Meeting all Races shall, unless a Stipendiary Steward otherwise determines, be started with starting stalls approved by the Stipendiary Stewards.

(2) A blindfold, rope or other means of persuading a horse to enter the starting stalls, may be used at the start with the prior permission of a Stipendiary Steward.

AT THE START

629 All Races shall be started by the Starter and, if applicable, Starter’s assistant, or a person approved by the Stipendiary Stewards to carry out the role of Starter or Starter’s assistant.

630 Only the Starter and his assistants, a Veterinarian, a farrier, the Clerks of the Course and the Riders in the Race, are permitted to be at the start of a Race, unless a Stipendiary Steward provides otherwise.

631 (1) A Rider and his horse shall, immediately on arriving at the starting post, be under the Starter’s orders and a horse and/or its Rider shall thereafter not leave such starting post without the consent of the Starter.