WA harness racing’s transition to the national ratings handicap system has delivered promising early results, with larger field sizes and enhanced wagering opportunities in the first month.
Key highlights (January 2025 vs January 2024) since the implementation of the system on 1 January 2025 include:
• Average Starters Per Race: Increased from 8.45 to 8.89
• Percentage of Races with Six or Fewer Starters: Reduced from 12% to just 1%
• Market Competitiveness:
- Average favourite price: Increased from $1.93 to $2.05
• Winning Price Trends:
- Average Winning Dividend: Increased from $4.85 to $5.66
Racing WA Head of Harness Racing and Special Projects Cameron Brown said implementing the national ratings system had delivered more competitive racing for participants and punters.
“This data, albeit preliminary, confirms that moving to the national handicapping model is achieving its objective to create a more competitive racing landscape,” Cameron said.
“I’d like to thank trainers, drivers and owners for their patience and understanding as the national ratings system continues to embed itself in Western Australian harness racing.
“Change takes time, and we appreciate the collaboration and commitment from everyone involved in making this transition a success.”
Cameron highlighted the positive impact of the Summer Series initiative which culminated on Friday night, with 116 runners racing across 10 races.
‘‘The Summer Series was a great spectacle and resulted in the largest number of horses racing on a Friday night in years,” he said.
“We are continuously refining our programming to ensure the best outcomes for WA harness racing.
“Our sport contributes more than $241 million to the State’s economy each year and has such a rich history.