By MICHAEL GUERIN
Punters could be in for an unusual sight at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.
Changes to the barrier draw format for mobile start races at Auckland's harness racing track mean it is possible races could have more horses starting from the second line than off the front.
The subtle change from the present system will mean horses which are balloted out will now participate in the barrier draw, which does not happen now.
Under the outgoing system balloted horses took the barrier draw of the scratched horse they replaced.
But a rule change at the recent HRNZ annual conference allows for more than five horses to start from the second line in mobile start races.
In two races on Thursday the balloted horse has drawn the front line.
If they are scratched the fields for races one and six will contain seven horses off the front line and six off the second.
The front line limit at Alexandra Park is eight.
A horse's starting position will not be changed from the second line to the front regardless of how many scratchings there are in a race.
So in the rare instance of three scratchings on the front line a race could have five horses off the front and at least six off the second.
Auckland Trotting Club officials made the change to eliminate any chance of punter confusion over which barrier horses will start from.
From this week whatever barrier horses draw at Alexandra Park that is where they will start from, even if they are a ballot regaining entry into the field.
"We are happy the new system will leave punters in no confusion over where their horse will start from and therefore give them more confidence to invest" said ATC racing manager Robert Death.
The changes have the backing of the northern branch of the Trainers and Drivers Association.
Racing: Barrier draw format changes
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.