Racing WA has today announced key changes to the two-year-old race calendar for the 2025 harness racing season to provide greater opportunity for juveniles to compete in feature races.
The Western Crown Classics, Westsired Classics, Gold Bracelet and Champagne Classic races will now respectively be run alongside the major two-year-old features.
“It is important to maximise trainers’ placement opportunities for their two year olds throughout the season,” Racing WA Head of Harness and Special Projects Cameron Brown said.
“The changes are designed to create more opportunities, with the new race dates enabling these juveniles to compete in both early-season and late-season feature races.”
The key changes to the 2025 calendar include:
Western Crown Classics
New Date: Moved from June 13 to February 7.
This new placement leads into the APG Sales Classic Heats on February 18 and the Sales Classic Finals on February 28.
Westsired Classics
New Date: To be held at Bunbury on Friday, March 7.
2YO Gold Bracelet for Fillies
New Date: Moved from May 16 to March 14, two weeks after the APG WA Sales Classic Finals on February 28.
Champagne Classic
New Date: Moved from May 23 to March 21, the week following the 2YO Gold Bracelet.
“With the change to the calendar year season, our feature race dates have continued to evolve to increase their benefit to the industry,” Michael Radley, CEO of Gloucester Park Harness Racing, said.
“There were multiple two-year-old features that had to be rescheduled due to lack of nominations. Positioning these feature races around the APG Sales Classic aims to attract full fields and benefit more owners.”
With the Bunbury Trotting Club hosting the two-year-old fillies Westsired race after a rescheduling in 2024, the South West club will hold both races next year.
“After the success of hosting the fillies event in 2024, we are looking forward to once again showcasing our Westsired two-year-olds in 2025,” Bunbury Trotting Club President Chris Wall said.
Please contact the Racing WA Harness Racing Office at harness.information@rwwa.com.au for further information.