Harness racing in Australia
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Harness racing in Australia is administered by The Australian Harness Racing Council (AHRC), with each State’s Principal Racing Authority agreeing to abide by, and to enforce the Australian Harness Racing Rules & Regulations.
Public interest in Harness racing is not especially high in Australia as it takes a back seat to thoroughbred racing. Its main attraction is the night meetings, when thoroughbred racing aren't run. Major metropolitan meetings occur on Friday and Saturday nights right around the country.
Interest in races such as the Miracle Mile, A G Hunter Cup, Victoria Cup and the Inter Dominion is quite healthy though.
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[edit] History
Races in Australia are run for both pacers and trotters. Races generally vary from 1609 metres to 2600 metres, although some races are run over longer distances, such as the A G Hunter Cup, but the effort required for such a race doesn't allow weekly racing.
Races can start one of two ways, either from behind a mobile barrier, giving a moving start or behind tapes, giving a standing start.
The mobile barrier is usually a car or ute that has a cabin for the starter and two large arms each side that allow the barrier to cover the entire track, in some cases the mobile can be 10 horses wide. This is the most common start for harness racing in Australia. Both pacers and trotters races are conducted from mobile barriers. The mobile barrier concept was introduced in New South Wales by William (Bill) George Smith, a Sydney Motor Body Builder who had a passion for harness racing. Bill Smith wanted to increase the popularity of harness racing by making the starts more exciting for the viewing public. The concept worked beyond his expectations and mobile barrier starting spread across Australia and to other countries.
A standing start occurs when horses stand flat footed behind an elastic tape that is connected across the track. Usually there are multiple tapes across the track at 10 or 5 metre intervals, this allows handicappers to handicap horses. This may be done on wins in certain classes or on a discretionary basis. Both pacers and trotters races are conducted from standing starts.
[edit] Tracks
The tracks in Australia are typically smaller than that in North America, ranging from 700 metres up to a larger size of 1000 metres. The differing track sizes does not allow a generic distance for races as in America, although all times are converted into a mile-rate, to allow comparison of times across different tracks.
Many industry people are seeking a larger track to be built, yet some industry commentators are against the idea of a 1400 metre to 1600 metre track.
[edit] State by State Synopsis of Harness Racing in Australia
[edit] Victoria
Harness racing in Victoria is controlled by Harness Racing Victoria (HRV). The states metropolitan track is Moonee Valley.
Harness Racing Victoria are currently in the beginning stages of building a new complex at Melton, which will incorporate a 1000 metre track as well as a host of amenities such as restaurants, gaming machines, motel accommodation and conference facilities. The new Melton track is being ear-marked as a replacement of the current metropolitan track at Moonee Valley.[1]
Victoria is currently considered to be in a healthy state shown through stake increases.
[edit] New South Wales
Harness racing in New South Wales is controlled by the Greyhound & Harness Racing Regulatory Authority (GHRRA). New South Wales premier track and metropolitan headquarters is Harold Park, located at Glebe in Sydney.
New South Wales has suffered greatly due to a television dispute and stake decreases have already begun.
[edit] Western Australia
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) are the controllers of harness racing in Western Australia. Gloucester Park is the headquarters of harness racing in Western Australia.
Harness racing in Western Australia is widely considered to be financially strong.
[edit] Queensland
Queensland Harness Racing (QHR) control harness racing in Queensland. The states main track is Albion Park. In this 2005-2006 season, Queensland horses have been dominating many feature races around the country, including the Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup, the Inter Dominion, Queensland Derby and Victoria Oaks
Queensland's harness racing is seen to be in a strong position.
[edit] South Australia
Harness racing in South Australia is controlled by Harness Racing South Australia (HRSA). The states premier track is Globe Derby Park.
Currently Harness Racing South Australia is not in a strong financial position.
[edit] Tasmania
Harness Racing Tasmania (HRT) is the controlling body of harness racing in Tasmania.
Although Tasmania only race 2 to 3 times per week the races are at a similar level of stake money to mainland states.
[edit] Inter Dominion Championships
- For more details on this topic, see Inter Dominion.
The Inter Dominion is a harness racing competition held between horses from Australia and New Zealand. The series has been contested since 1936 and alternates between Australia and New Zealand.
