Trying to associate just one word with where the sport of harness racing currently stands is hard to do.

Labelling any industry as large as ours with just one word is near on impossible but if forced to do so, the word that springs to mind is CONSOLIDATION.

That wretched COVID presented every industry with significant and unforeseen challenges and our industry handled the crisis with amazing resilience, determination and dedication. Barely a meeting was lost to the pandemic when everything from the NBA, AFL, NBL and most major world events were suspended, postponed, cancelled or at best held remotely. We as fans have missed out on many a day at the race track but the racing has continued… and blossomed.

Turnover has been up throughout the pandemic. Most harness jurisdictions have been progressively seeking new and innovative events to lure new eyes and keep old fans engaged. The quality of the racing has been spectacular - highlighted by the recent Queensland carnival.

Whilst we can never afford to rest on our laurels (show me anyone or anything that can), we must also use the growth of the past 18 months as an opportunity to consolidate all the good that has been done. Each aspect of the industry has had some form of improvement and now must ensure that turns into fortified and ongoing growth.

The breeding industry has had an injection of competitiveness with the introduction of a new sales company, Nutrien Equine. Their first sale was well attended and both vendors and buyers seemed to come away with positivity. Their sales should only grow as the years progress. The addition of the new sales organisation pushed Australian Pacing Gold to look at improving their system and improve they have after announcing a significant new partnership which will see the APG Finals races increase enormously in prizemoney.

Maiden win bonuses have increased and we are seeing a batch of new local stallions given a genuine chance at success. Former race track stars like Poster Boy, Soho Tribeca (pictured), Bling It On and Vincent look like legitimate sires for those looking to breed quality but affordable foals.

Prizemoney for participants and owners has hung tough in enormously difficult times. The APG announcement is a huge carrot for prospective yearling buyers. I am already thinking about snagging a couple of yearlings to have a go at the large pool of cash on offer.

Queensland’s major bump in prizemoney attracted horses the state could have only dreamt of attracting in years gone by. Krug was one that was certainly lured by the riches on offer.

I acknowledge how hard it is to offer up more prizemoney and too often us ‘experts’ just sit back and say put up more cash and you’ll get better racing, but where there's a will there's a way. Queensland managed to do so and it reaped the rewards with superstar horses arriving en masse.

The coverage of harness racing has never been stronger, more vibrant and more diverse.

When I first became interested in the game, I could barely find a thing to listen to, read or watch which is frustrating when you know you have a new interest but very few ways to expand your knowledge. Sure, the weekly Trotguide was worth the $5 but these days, there are endless podcasts, radio slots, online streams and digital programmes as well as quality social media content.

Western Australia is magnificent with its online pre-race coverage via their respective social channels, as are we here in Victoria with the introduction of Trots Vision and the rave reviews it’s been getting. Written content from the likes of Jason Bonnington, Mick Guerin, Britt Graham, Adam Hamilton (pictured) and Garrick Knight over in NZ provide us fans with more than enough to devour in our spare time and thanks to RSN and SEN Track, there are hours and hours of live radio as well as podcasts to consume when out for a walk or driving in the car - or couped up in your lounge room during yet another lockdown.

Whilst it can too often become a cesspool, Twitter is also usually a forum for trots fans to discuss and debate the goings on in the sport.

Betting is also easier and more beneficial for us punters. Sure, the odds will forever be stacked against us, but bookies offering cash back for second and third at Albion Park across the last month showed we in harness world are beginning to see some of the favourable betting options that the gallopers have been getting for a few years.

As the corporate bookmakers continue to expand, their challenge will be to lure punters via more creative ways to bet. The smart punters will benefit - but despite all that, please make sure you’re wise when having a punt!

In any industry, treading water is as good as going backwards so for as good as we’ve been going as a sport across the past 1-2 years, we must consolidate whilst searching for ways to invigorate, invest and improve all aspects of the industry.

I’ve only been involved in the game for around a decade and in that time harness racing has come so far. Let’s take stock, CONSOLIDATE where we’ve gained and continue to march forward as a united industry.

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.