Does harness racing differ much from state to state?

Similar to other racing codes, harness racing is popular right throughout Australia, with all states boasting a vibrant harness scene.

Victoria was in many ways the birthplace of organised harness racing in Australia. The first ever Australian meeting exclusively for trotting and pacing was held in Victoria in 1860, at Flemington Racecourse, and in 1861 the Ballarat and Creswick became the first dedicated harness club in Australia.

However, New South Wales was actually home to the first recognised, organised trotting race in Australia, held at Parramatta in 1810. Since then, New South Wales has remained at the forefront of the sport in the country.

Along with Albion Park, harness racing in Queensland also takes place at Redcliffe, with regional meetings held at Marbung, west of Brisbane. Harness racing was a fixture on the Gold Coast until the local track was closed in 2013 to make way for Commonwealth Games facilities.

The club remains determined to return harness racing to the area, and are on the lookout for a suitable location for a new harness racing track.

Much of the harness racing action in South Australia takes place at Globe Derby in Adelaide. There are also tracks at Gawler, Mount Gambier, Victor Harbour, Whyalla and Port Pirie.

Harness racing is a big deal in Western Australia. The state headquarters, Gloucester Park, has played host to the last three Inter Dominion Finals - 2015, 2016 and 2017 – further cementing the state’s standing in the Australian harness racing industry.