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HARNESS RACING - THE FINER POINTS
People have been racing horses around tracks since before the Roman times. Even the Chariot races of 'Ben Hur's' day could have been forerunners to today's exciting and colourful harness racing events.
Sulky races in Australia date back to the early 19th Century. The first harness raceing club in Australia was founded in 1902. They staged their first meeting on the 19th November that year at the track we now know as Harold Park.
Harness Racing has certainly come a long way since those early days. Over forty registered clubs in N.S.W. now stage many hundreds of licensed meetings a year for millions of dollars in prizemoney.
The purpose of this page is to introduce you to the sport of Harness racing. We trust it will ensure your visit to our track is even more enjoyable.
The Horse
The modern harness racing horse or harness racer is known as a 'Standardbred'. This term was introduced because horses were required to achieve a certain 'standard' when 'pacing' or 'trotting' over a mile before they could be included in the Official Register.
The Gait
Harness horses are divided into two distinct groups, pacers or trotters, depending on their gait when racing. Trotters stretch left front and right rear legs forward almost simultaneously. Then follow suit with right front and left rear.
Pacers move both legs on the same side forward in unison. Most wear hopples i.e. straps connecting the front and rear legs on the same side. Pacers and trotters never compete against each other in a race. Both gaits are extremely disciplined. To assist the horse to maintain its gait, a wide range of gear is used.
The Gear
All the gear worn by the modern pacer is done so for a purpose. The three main purposes are:
1. To attach the sulky to the horse
2. To carry the 'hopples' which help the horse maintain its gait
3. To enable the driver to steer the horse
Control of Harness Racing
Harness racing in this state is under the strict control of the Harness Racing Authority of N.S.W.
The authority provides stewards for every licensed meeting. They make sure all the rules of harness racing are adhered to at all times.
Picking a winner
One of the most exciting aspects of harness racing is the challenge of 'picking a winner' based on your evaluation of the facts. Some of the factors which should be considered are:
(1) FORM
'Form' refers to a horse's recent performance. You can find this information in your racebook which can be purchased at the track during a meeting. Some newspapers also print 'Form Guides' for Harness race meetings.
(2) THE DRIVER
All drivers competing at harness raceing meetings are required to have a license. They must have achieved a certain level of skill to obtain that license.
A very good driver can be of major assistance to a horse's chance of winning. Many of the top drivers are professionals with years of experience in the industry. Lists of top driver rankings are often published in racebooks.
(3) THE TRAINER
All trainers must be licensed. Trainers can be professionals handling horses for a number of clients or hobbyists handling their own horses.
Other factors which should be taken into account when assessing a horse's form or chance in a race can include the gate position the horse will be starting from, the track, the distance of the race and the time since a horse last had a run.
Then again, some people pick a horse because they like its name or the drivers colours, and manage to have their share of success.
Placing a Bet
Now you have decided on your choice you have to place a bet.
In N.S.W. you have the option of placing a bet with a bookmaker or on the On Course Totalisator.
Types of Bets
Before you decide where you wish to bet you should decide what type of bet you would like to place.
WIN/PLACE
A win bet involves picking the runner to finish first in a race.
If there are eight or more starters in a race, a place bet means picking a runner to run first, second or third. If there are between five and seven starters in a race your horse must run first or second. If there are less than five starters in a race you cannot bet for a place. Regardless of what place your horse runs your return on a place bet will be the same.
EACH WAY
To make an each way bet you back the same horse for a win and place.
QUINELLA
With a quinella bet you select two horses to finish first and second in the one race, in any order.
On some tracks you will be able to take a forecast quinella for which you must pick the first and second horses in the correct finishing order.
TRIFECTA
You must select first, second and third runners in the correct order. A 'Box' trifecta allows you to take all possible combinations of your selections but costs you one bet unit for each possible combination eg: a box trifecta for three horses for $1.00 on each combination costs you $6.00 as a box of three horses covers six possible combinations.
When placing a box trifecta you declare how much you want to bet on each combination ie: "a box trifecta on horses A, B and C for $1.00" would cost you $6.00.
DOUBLE
To win the double you have to pick the winner of two races (these races are often called the two legs of the double).
STAND OUT BETTING
In forecast quinella and trifecta betting you may decide one horse will win but want to take a combination of other horses to fill the other placings.
You declare you wish to take a "stand out forecast quinella or trifecta" with number A (your selection to win) from numbers B, C, D, E for as many horses you wish to include in the combination.
Other bet types like 'banker' betting, etc are usually explained in the race book.
BETTING WITH A BOOKMAKER
When you place a bet with a bookmaker you are 'claiming' the price (referred to as the odds) the bookmaker has on show at that time.
If your bet is successful the bookmaker must pay you according to those odds.
READING A BOOKMAKER'S BOARD
Bookmakers usually display a sign above their 'board' stating what type of bets they will accept.
Bookmakers boards display the 'odds' they are offering for each runner in the race.
Lost Tickets
If you lose your ticket you should report the loss immediately to the bookmaker or tote company. They have a set procedure to follow in the case of lost tickets.
The Race
Once you have placed your bets you then watch the race. Drivers colours, starting gate order and race distance are all found in the racebook.
Warm Up
Harness horses usually do a few laps warm up before the race. The starter blows a whistle to let the drivers know the race is about to begin.
The Start
Nearly every race in N.S.W. is started behind a mobile starting gate which is usually a set of long retractable arms mounted on the back of a utility. Horses begin pacing behind the gate slowly at first and gradually picking up speed until the gate pulls right away.
This acceleration takes place at the designated starting point of the race.
If the starter considers the start fair a blue light will flash on the top of the utility. The race is then on. If the starter considers the start unfair a red light will flash on the top of the utility and a false start will be declared.
After a false start all horses must quickly return to the assembly point where the starting procedure begins again.
After a good start drivers usually angle for positions. Most races in N.S.W. are for more than one lap of the course. A bell rings on the course to indicate when there is one lap to go and this is why the last lap of a race is traditionally called the bell lap.
After the Race
Once the race is over the placegetters usually return to an official area where drivers are asked by an official if they have any objections regarding the placings. Their whips are checked to make sure they conform with required standards.
If there are no objections and the whips are good, the official declares all-clear.
It is after the all clear declaration that you can collect your winnings. So that's it. You now know how to read a form guide, how to place a bet and how to watch a race. Good luck!
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