In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic period represented an era of revolutionary change in Australian harness racing. 

Just prior to lockdowns being enforced, a brand new handicapping system was inaugurated, followed by a switch in seasons to coincide with the calendar year. 

And let’s not forget regional racing, which probably had more merit – if utilised correctly – than many comprehended at the time. 

Around this turbulent time in human history, perhaps slightly before, some states also perceived the virtue in programming more races based on preferential draws. 

The thinking here is simple.

When ‘democratising’ most of their events, the thoroughbreds handicap horses by assigning weight. Unlike jockeys, drivers aren’t sent to the scales post-race. 

In the trots, positional advantage is worth its weight in gold, so it only stands to reason that its best and easiest way of levelling the playing field is by assigning the ‘best’ horses the ‘worst’ alleys. 

By doing this, the frightening spectre of short-priced favourites is moderated, purely due to the fact that leading class candidates are typically asked to overcome burdens, rather than lead and dictate, which was previously the case. 

Tonight’s metropolitan meeting at Melton is an ideal illustration of this theory. 

Let’s start with the opening event. 

On national ratings, Lip Reader (112) and The Chancer (81) should have their rivals covered, yet second row draws will preclude them from opening at incremental quotes. 

In fact, neither may start favourite. 

Then there’s the 1200m event, which concludes this programme’s early quad where Diamond Eclipse, Terry, Steel Screens and Daylight Dawn are the only runners that even ‘qualify’ on rating. 

All, however, are vulnerable to tempo and tactics.

The most stunning examples of preferential draws muddying waters, however, are the fast class pace (race seven) and its following event.

In the open-class contest, Better Eclipse (eight) and Act Now (10), both Group 1 winners, have lengths on their adversaries, yet likely leader Outlaw Man is $7 with TAB despite never competing at higher than Group 3 level on Australian soil. 

It’s a similar, if slightly less dramatic situation in race eight, where burgeoning stars Captain Bellasario (eight) and District Attorney (nine) should dominate on talent but may well encounter insurmountable obstacles. 

For punters, these circumstances, while confronting, also provide enormous opportunities. 

Firstly, will they side with draws or class? And why? 

When assessing these contrasting assets three key questions stand tall. 

Is the talent edge for these superior but poorly drawn ‘stars’ enough that starting position will not condemn them?

Can the class runners handle the burden of mid-race labour to negate the gates their given? 

And will this be a race of pressure or a Sunday stroll? 

Answer those queries and punters are well on their way to profit. 

More profit than in previous eras as the challenge, the beautiful challenge, of preferential draws was quelled through effort and education.