Since being opened last October, Bathurst’s 1000-metre harness racing circuit has been widely praised.
In fact, highly respected horseman Luke McCarthy referred to the track as the best of its size in Australia and early results suggest it could well be the fairest track too.
While many would consider front row barrier draws over the 1730 metres a big advantage, statistics compiled by Harness Racing New South Wales dispel the common belief.
Although there is only a relatively small sample size for the statistics, the data makes for interesting reading.
A total of 83 races have been run at Bathurst over 1730 metres since the track opened, with 10 the most successful barrier.
Barrier |
Starts |
Wins |
% |
1 |
83 |
9 |
10.8 |
2 |
83 |
7 |
8.4 |
3 |
83 |
9 |
10.8 |
4 |
83 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
83 |
9 |
10.8 |
6 |
83 |
9 |
10.8 |
7 |
77 |
8 |
10.4 |
8 |
46 |
5 |
10.9 |
9 |
72 |
4 |
5.6 |
10 |
60 |
10 |
16.7 |
11 |
48 |
5 |
10.4 |
12 |
26 |
3 |
11.5 |
13 |
9 |
0 |
0.0 |
So which trainers are smiling now?
Hunter Valley trainer Sam Dimarco’s stable representative Shadow Runner was the fastest qualifier after a comfortable victory in his heat and has drawn 10 in the Alabar Bathurst Gold Crown.
TAB has the son of Shadow Play listed as the second favourite at $4.20 behind the Col Thomas-trained Bettermatch $1.50.
In the Slingsby Holdings Gold Tiara, Art Mistress has drawn barrier 10 as a $51 chance.
Two fillies dominate the market, with Three Squared the favourite at $2.30 while the Steve Turnbull-trained Pixies Parlour is the $2.80 second pick.
TAB Media Manager Adam Hamilton reports the favourites in both races have been supported, but there have been runners backed to beat them.
“In the Gold Tiara there was some money for Three Squared when the markets first went up, but that has dried up a little bit and there has been good support for the stablemate Soho Madeleine,” Hamilton said.
“Pixies Parlour has been very solid in the market at $2.80, but we are expecting money for Three Squared as the race gets closer.”
“Bettermatch has eased slightly from $1.40 out to $1.50, which doesn’t surprise me, because while he won his heat, I think a little bit of gloss came off him when he wasn’t as impressive as everyone was expecting.”
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HRNSW Media