Harness racing in Victoria is set for a shake-up, with a key race rule to undergo a three-month trial at Tabcorp Park Melton aimed at making racing more competitive and engaging for punters and participants alike.
From Friday, 24 April, stewards will trial a change to the “push out” position, the rule that dictates when drivers can shift runners wider on the track during a race. The initiative will apply to Melton meetings only and follows extensive consultation with the Victorian Trainers & Drivers Association (VTDA).
Under the trial, the push-out point will move from its current position near the entrance to the back straight to the 400-metre mark and will be clearly identified by red discs on both the inside and outside of the track.
In simple terms, the change is designed to give drivers greater confidence to move into the race earlier, while also forcing those in front to make quicker, more decisive calls, hold their position or come out and challenge.
Victoria’s leading state and metropolitan driver James Herbertson believes the adjustment could lead to more genuine racing.
“I think it’s a good idea. It will force drivers to be more intuitive with the tempo up front and encourage more aggressive racing through that third quarter,” Herbertson said.
“There’s nothing worse than working into the race three-wide and getting pushed four-wide at the 500 or 600-metre mark – from there, you just can’t win. This takes away that sort of driving and stops chances being ruined unnecessarily. It’s a lot fairer.
“It’s already got drivers talking, which is a good thing. Over the next few weeks, we’ll get a better feel for it, and that ongoing consultation with drivers will be key to getting it right.”
Fellow top five driver Jack Laugher said the trial was worth exploring, particularly if it delivered benefits for wagering and the overall product.
“If anything is going to improve turnover, you have to be in favour of it, that’s how the industry survives,” Laugher said.
“It will be interesting to see how it plays out. It might make things clearer, but there’s also the chance of issues with horses being dragged back by tiring runners or ‘roadblocks’ forming in that three-wide line.
“I think momentum should come into it. You shouldn’t be able to push out a progressing horse, but you should be able to move one that’s lost momentum.”
VTDA President Emmett Brosnan said the change had been a long time coming and formed part of a broader push to evolve race dynamics.
“This trial is one of a number that have been discussed between the association & HRV to assist in a change of the racing pattern and provide more competitive racing,” Brosnan said.
“It should provide for more exciting racing and assist in stimulating turnover.”
The trial will run for a minimum of three months, with officials to assess its impact on race shape, competitiveness and wagering interest. A decision will then be made on whether to roll the change out across all Victorian tracks, extend the trial, or revert to the existing rule.
