4. cal
  6. Current rule
The Orders and Rules of Racing

PART 3 - THE START - (B)31 to (B)44

43. Power to issue warnings to trainers (criteria failures)

43.1 The Starter will, in the circumstances set out in Paragraph 43.2, issue the Trainer of a horse with a warning relating to the horse's behaviour (referred to in this Manual as a Criteria Failure).
43.2 The circumstance for issue of a Criteria Failure are

43.2.1 where the horse is unruly in the stalls but the behaviour does not warrant a report to the Stewards under Rule 41,
43.2.2 where the horse is unruly outside the stalls but the behaviour does not warrant a report to the Stewards under Rule 41, or
43.2.3 where a late load is requested by the Trainer for any horse other than one to which Paragraph 43.3 or Schedule 5 Paragraph 4.5.2 applies.

43.3 A horse foaled on and after 1st January 2000 may be recorded as a horse which will not in future incur a Criteria Failure when a late load is requested by the Trainer if the horse

43.3.1 is recognised as one which

43.3.1.1 has been properly schooled, but
43.3.1.2 will always need special handling under race conditions because of its temperament, and

43.3.2 has twice been the subject of a Starter's report under Rule 41.2 and has subsequently passed the necessary stalls tests.

43.4 If a horse records three Criteria Failures within a 12 month rolling period, the Starter must report the horse to the Stewards for a stalls test.
43.5 Examples of unruly behaviour in the stalls include

43.5.1 panicking in the stalls or trying to go under the front gate;
43.5.2 rearing in the stalls;
43.5.3 kicking out in the stalls;
43.5.4 lying or sitting down in the stalls.

43.6 Examples of unruly behaviour outside the stalls include

43.6.1 needing four pushers with or without a blindfold;
43.6.2 having to be blindfolded and is very reluctant;
43.6.3 kicking out;
43.6.4 being generally unruly at the start.