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Handicapper

About

If you enjoy watching the races, appreciate the history of the sport, have an eye for detail, a sense of equity and integrity, are good with numbers and stats then consider a career in handicapping…but most importantly be willing to forever keep on learning and asking questions, the role of a handicapper may be for you! - David Hegan, Senior Handicapper.
  • pathways
    • Certificate IV in Racing Services (Racing Administration)

    For more information on courses available, please visit the Skills Australia website



    • pathways

      • Certificate IV in Racing Services (Racing Administration)

      For more information on courses available, please visit the Skills Australia website



  • profile
    Neil Jennings - Handicapper

    About Me:
    My interest in racing started as a child when I would attend race meetings regularly with my father. I loved the stories he would tell me of the many mornings he would spend as a boy with a young Kevin Mitchell and Jim Meek around the racing stables.

    Through the influence of my father, my passion for the thoroughbred racing industry intensified and shortly after finishing my secondary education, I began working for the Australian Trainers Association (ATA). The ATA was the first point of call for trainers to nominate horses and accept for horses in races. I then accepted a role to work for the Racing Services Bureau as an Administration clerk where I would process acceptances and nominations for all Victorian race meetings. From there I moved into the role of Australian Race Results Editor with the Racing Services Bureau in which I maintained an accurate database on all race results nationally and provided International form updates for horses.

    I began the next phase of my career in 1998 with the VRC as a trainee handicapper under the guidance of James Bowler and for the past eight years have been the Senior Handicapper for Racing Victoria working closely with current Executive General Manager Racing and Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter. Throughout this time I have worked, observed and learnt from two of the most respected and knowledgeable man in the racing industry in James and Greg and had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and diligent handicappers.

    About the Job:
    The role of a Handicapper is to ensure racing is delivered at a competitive level through the allocation of weights to be carried by each horse in a race, with the purpose of equalising their chances of winning. Once a horse has started in a race they are given a numerical rating and depending on performances, the rating will either increase or decrease during that horses racing career. Attending race meetings, watching vision of races and reviewing them, being able to read races and being able to provide logical and reasoned explanation for decision making is part of the daily routine as a handicapper. Handicapping is extremely subject and the decisions we make are based on personal and professional judgements.

    • profile

      Neil Jennings - Handicapper

      About Me:
      My interest in racing started as a child when I would attend race meetings regularly with my father. I loved the stories he would tell me of the many mornings he would spend as a boy with a young Kevin Mitchell and Jim Meek around the racing stables.

      Through the influence of my father, my passion for the thoroughbred racing industry intensified and shortly after finishing my secondary education, I began working for the Australian Trainers Association (ATA). The ATA was the first point of call for trainers to nominate horses and accept for horses in races. I then accepted a role to work for the Racing Services Bureau as an Administration clerk where I would process acceptances and nominations for all Victorian race meetings. From there I moved into the role of Australian Race Results Editor with the Racing Services Bureau in which I maintained an accurate database on all race results nationally and provided International form updates for horses.

      I began the next phase of my career in 1998 with the VRC as a trainee handicapper under the guidance of James Bowler and for the past eight years have been the Senior Handicapper for Racing Victoria working closely with current Executive General Manager Racing and Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter. Throughout this time I have worked, observed and learnt from two of the most respected and knowledgeable man in the racing industry in James and Greg and had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and diligent handicappers.

      About the Job:
      The role of a Handicapper is to ensure racing is delivered at a competitive level through the allocation of weights to be carried by each horse in a race, with the purpose of equalising their chances of winning. Once a horse has started in a race they are given a numerical rating and depending on performances, the rating will either increase or decrease during that horses racing career. Attending race meetings, watching vision of races and reviewing them, being able to read races and being able to provide logical and reasoned explanation for decision making is part of the daily routine as a handicapper. Handicapping is extremely subject and the decisions we make are based on personal and professional judgements.