Racing WA’s 2026 harness feature race calendar

Racing WA’s 2026 Feature Race Calendar, from January to June is now complete with dates for some of our most prestigious harness races.  

This calendar celebrates our long-standing carnival traditions, while also introducing refinements to grow participation and create more compelling feature nights across the season. 

Importantly, I want to acknowledge the contribution of the Trainer Sub-committee. Their insight and feedback have been invaluable in shaping this program to balance the needs of participants with the demands of racing fans and wagering audiences. 

Blockbuster TABtouch Nullarbor race meeting 

The clear highlight of the first half of the year is the TABtouch Nullarbor meeting on Friday, 17 April at Gloucester Park. In addition to the slot race, the night will feature: 

• $1.25m Group 1 Nullarbor – Australia’s richest FFA race. 

• $100k APG WA 3YO Sales Classics – repositioned from February to better complement the two-year-old season and lift participation. 

• $100k Group 2 Preux Chevalier 4YO Classic – rescheduled to shine the spotlight on our rising four-year-old stars. 

• $75k Group 2 Empress Stakes – continuing its proud tradition of showcasing WA’s best mares. 

Together, these races will deliver one of the strongest feature programs in WA harness racing, designed to maximise participation, engagement and wagering outcomes. Prior to the Western Trilogy there will be a tailored flight from the east coast to encourage competitors from outside WA in the Tabtouch Western Trilogy.   

Pearl & Diamond Three-Year-Old Classics 

For the first time, the Pearl and Diamond Three-Year-Old Classics will be run on the same night at Gloucester Park – Friday, 22 May. Pairing these futurity finals together promises a spectacular evening, with heats to be staged ten days earlier. 

Two-Year-Old Programming 

We’ve also taken a strategic look at two-year-old racing. 

After careful consideration with the Trainer Sub-committee – and analysis of early-season racing numbers – we’ve moved the Gold Bracelet and Western Crown features to later in the year to ensure stronger fields. 

Key juvenile programming dates for 2026 include: 

• The APG two-year-old classics on Friday, 27 February, aligning with the APG Yearling Sale. 

• The first two-year-old race of the season on Australia Day, 26 January at Pinjarra. 

• Targeted base stake and metro events through March and April to support early horses. 

• The Westsired Classics on 11 July at Bunbury, followed by the Pearl and Diamond Two-Year-Olds on 7 August at Gloucester Park. 

• The return of W Night on 4 September, building on its success in 2025. 

We’ll confirm the future dates of the Gold Bracelet and Western Crown before the year’s end – but they won’t be staged before 30 June 2026. 

Looking Ahead 

Our premier races – the WA Pacing Cup, WA Derby, Golden Nugget, Oaks, and Mares Classic – remain in their traditional timeslots later in the year, ensuring the second half of 2026 continues the momentum. There will also be a flight from the east coast for the Perth Racing Carnival from which will arrive in time for the Stratton Pacing Cup to encourage east coast raiders.  

The redefined calendar positions WA harness racing for a strong 2026 season, with enhanced feature nights and improved programming flow.  

It is a schedule designed to highlight our quality racing, provide valuable opportunities for participants and engage racing fans across the State, and Australia.