At their core, are humans driven by nature or nurture?
In racing, particularly through recent decades, there’s been a comparable conundrum at play.
Does the industry, or in this case, do the triumvirate of racing industries rely more on quantity or quality.
As most that follow the fates of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing will comprehend, financial imperatives have dictated that quantity has kingship in this debate.
The more contests one code stages, regardless of their importance, the better.
Despite that fact, this push for product – regardless of its relevance – fails to serve the sport the way it should.
And the biggest loser of the three current codes is always the trots.
What does one target then, if they can’t competitively challenge regarding races run?
For harness racing, the solution is both simple and perhaps fatally flawed all at once.
Do one’s best when inciting and encouraging horses to race as often as possible, but also leverage one’s competitive advantage when such opportunities avail.
Not unlike this weekend.
Right now, without doubt, we’re mired in the maelstrom of thoroughbred fever.
Despite this, or perhaps courtesy of this, Victorian harness racing has also programmed three days of elite racing but racing of a very different kind.
Last night, Swan Hill held its Pacing Cup.
Tonight, the nation’s finest mares will lock horns in the Group 1 Queen Of The Pacific at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Tomorrow the squaregaiters take centre stage on Redwood day at Maryborough.
Three days of top-class racing, each exposing something unique.
Quantity is great, and financially rewarding, but quality – and thoughtful programming – are far more likely to push harness racing’s long-suffering barrow.
The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.