The Weighting System.
The normal weight a horse carries (rider and equipment) in Australia can be altered by the addition of lead weights to give an overall "weight" to be carried.
This Allows Four Types Of Races
The minimum distance horses travel in Australia is 800 Metres. Maximum lengths are determined by race and horse types.
Open Races:
Open Races: in which every horse carries the same weight.
Weight-for-age Races:
Weight-for-age races: in which younger horses receive a lighter weight.
Condition (or Allowance) Races
Condition (or allowance) Races: in which a basic weight allowance for age and sex of horse is varied by added weight penalties for past successes (measured in prize money terms).
Handicap Races:
Handicap races: in which the weights are adjusted to try to give horses an equal chance of winning.
Steeplechase and Hurdles:
In all steeplechase and hurdles, and in some flat races, weight allowances are given to apprentices and jockeys with limited winning experience, providing that the prize money involved is below a certain amount.