Harness Mobile Barrier Speed Increase
Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) Harness Stewards have been trialing an increased mobile barrier speed of 48kph at release point across eight Pinjarra race meetings from June to August 2018.
The trial was conducted to establish if an increased mobile barrier speed would prove a more comfortable pacing speed during the score up and at release point and if this resulted in a reduction in the number of horses offending at the start of a mobile race.
In order to measure the success or otherwise of the trial, data was collected during the trial period and compared to previous records. The following results were established:
- A reduction in the percentage of horses offending at the start from 2.51% to 1.41%.
- An increase in the percentage of horses showing gate speed from barrier 7 from 13% to 23%.
- An increase in the percentage of leaders from barriers 5, 6 and 7 from 6% to 8%, 3% to 6% and 2% to 6% respectively.
- A decrease in the percentage of winners from barriers 1, 2 and 3 from 15% to 12%, 12% to 10% and 10% to 7% respectively
- An increase in the percentage of winners from barriers 6 and 7 from 6% to 15% and 7% to 15% respectively.
As the results established that there was a reduction in offending horses at the start of a mobile race, the mobile barrier speed will be increased to 48kph at release point for all Gloucester Park, Pinjarra, Bunbury, Northam, Narrogin and Albany meetings, effective 1 November 2018.
The mobile barrier speed will remain at 46kph for Bridgetown, Collie, Kellerberrin, Wagin, Williams, Byford and Wanneroo.
While the data from the trial does not take into account horse ability, natural gate speed, racing pattern, class of race, distance, race conditions, track conditions, opposition or previous barrier manners, it does demonstrate a reduction in the number of horses offending at the start and no advantage or disadvantage to any barrier position.
In the past year, RWWA Stewards have implemented several changes to ensure all horses are afforded a fair start. Including a change to the pre-race circling direction, strict enforcement of the requirement that horses are in position by the candy pole and allowing horses to come off the mobile gate after a false start to assist them to settle before the second score up