1. To Level the Playing Field:
* Age and Sex: Imposts are used to balance the advantage younger or female horses might have over older or male horses.
* Previous Success: Horses that have won races in the past might carry extra weight to prevent them from dominating future races. This makes the competition more fair and encourages a wider variety of horses to participate.
2. To Encourage Strategic Play:
* Handicapping: Handicappers assign weights based on a horse's past performance, track conditions, and other factors. This forces owners and trainers to make strategic decisions about which races to enter and how to prepare their horses. It also encourages bettors to consider the weight assigned to each horse when placing their bets.
3. To Promote Fairness and Prevent Domination:
* Weight Allocation: The weight assigned to each horse is intended to make the race as fair as possible. It prevents dominant horses from winning all the time and encourages a wider range of horses to be competitive.
4. To Preserve the Integrity of Racing:
* Preventing Exploitation: Without imposts, some owners might try to exploit their horses' natural advantages by running them against weaker competition or manipulating the handicap system. Imposts help to prevent this and ensure the integrity of racing.
Types of Imposts:
* Weight: The most common type of impost.
* Penalty: Added weight for a horse that has won a race recently.
* Allowance: A reduction in weight for horses that have not won many races.
In summary, imposts or weight are essential for ensuring fair and competitive racing, promoting strategic play, and preserving the integrity of the sport.