Barrier trials KZN - Query consistency

On Friday night a horse that has been off the track for 300 plus days gets a run without a barrier trial.

are u able to get special permission to skip a barrier trial or are the rules really just guidelines?

thx

Just wait for the next Winning Ways programme, they will discuss without ever getting an official response from gold circle or the trainer but one of the Gold circle directors will discuss the situation ad hoc while wearing his presenter cap.

I think the rule is that if you get a Vet opinion that the barrier trial will adversely affect your horse, then you can race without doing a barrier trial.
It does raise the question of whether a horse that is too unsound to do a trial should still be racing.

PeterD
That is correct. You can apply for exemption from a Barrier Trial on Vet grounds, by obtaining a Vet letter/report.. (Many of us believe that Trainer's discretion should also apply, thus saving Owners money).

I do agree that if a horse cannot Barrier Trial, then how can it race. However, there are exceptions to this rule, especially with some horses, who feel the effects of a race and who must be raced sparingly. In those cases, a Barrier Trial would set those horses back or cause them to delay their actual race.

As much as I dislike Barrier Trials, it must be noted that on the few occasions when I have applied for exemption, with good grounds and the necessary facts, it has been granted. And yes, I have also Barrier Trialed horses which did not have to trial before racing.