This year sees the running of the thirty second Bathurst Gold Crown carnival over the period 23 – 31 March 2018 at Bathurst Harness Racing Club’s (HRC) Gold Crown Paceway (Group One Feeds sponsorship has just finished).

They say all good things take time so it is appropriate that this year sees the first ever Gold Crown tour take place. The eight day “Harness The History of Bathurst Tour”is a result of a partnership between Greg Tucker’s local travel company Panorama Cruise and Travel and the Bathurst HRC.

Based on the tried and tested practice of combining harness racing including social events with local tourist attractions, the Bathurst HRC aims to showcase its first class racing facilities to visitors who will have the opportunity to enjoy the many features of Central Western New South Wales based around historic Bathurst.Selected local accommodation providersand Bathurst Tours are being utilised to provide the necessary experiences for participants.

Bathurst HRC

Harness racing in one form or the other has been a feature of the Bathurst area for at least 140 years. In 1879 the Bathurst Jockey Club held a two day meeting, where the penultimate race of a six race card on the second day (Thursday 1 May 1879) was the Trotting Hcp. Over 2½m for a purse of 25 sovereigns, Mr WF Whitney’s aged grey Cyclone off 200 yards defeated five other compatriots.

In April 1904 (13th-16th), the Bathurst Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Association (AH&PA) held a four day meeting the results of which were published in the NSW Trotting Club’s first Trotting Register. These races were held at the Bathurst AH&PA’s new six acre Showgrounds venue. In 1910 the Bathurst District Trotting Club (BDTC) was formed (1913 Show attracted 12,000 patrons) wherein the 1913/14 season includedten meetings (seven run by BDTC and three days at showtime). Trotting during the period from 1913/4 until the early 1950’s, was greatly impacted by two World Wars and the Great Depression. Bathurst trots experienced its share of difficulties during this time.

The Bathurst HRC commenced racingunder lights on its 795m Bathurst Showgrounds track on Saturday 14 November 1953 where they remained until the final meeting held at this venue on Sunday 21 September 2014 (Showgrounds State Heritage Listed on 3 September 2015). The club moved to its new purpose built Mt Panorama facility on College Road with the first meeting at the Pacewaytaking place on Wednesday 15 October 2014 (note : official opening day was Sunday 19 October 2014). Over fifty meetings are held each season utilising the new facilities.

The Bathurst HRC is one of New South Wales’s largest and most successful country harness racing clubs. Its Paceway consists of a crushed granite 1065m circumference track with a 186m straight running in an anti-clockwise direction with a sprint lane available. Fields consist of a maximum of twelve runners, with front linesof eight (mobile) and ten (stand). Current commentators are Anthony Manton, Craig Easey and Mitch Manners. Legendary Sydney race caller, long standing race caller at Bathurst and  2017 Gold Crown Honouree Kevin Thompson (retired 2016) trained Top Aztec winner of the third heat on the opening night of the first ever Gold Crown carnival in 1987 (fourth in final).Addington Raceway’s commentator Mark McNamara was a popular caller in earlier years at Bathurst.

Track records (best mile rates) for the two Bathurst HRC venues used over past years are :

Number of Starters:

Mobile Start Races –      Maximum number of starters was 10, with 7 across front line.

Standing Start races –     Front Mark races only, max. of 12, with 7 across front line.

Handicap races, maximum of 14, with 7 across front line.

BATHURST PACEWAY TRACK RECORDS

2YO

3YO

4YO

OPEN

TROTTERS

A record for 1200mMS at the Paceway is currently held by Modern Era 1:53.5 (6/10/2017). Overall fastest Pacing mile rate records are in BOLD.

Gold Crown history

The Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival held annually in late March has been the club’s feature event for the past thirty years. It currently consists of five (previously up to six over 14 days) race meetings in a nine day window together with social events such as theBarrier Draw and Calcutta, Honouree Dinner, Cocktail Party and Ambrose Gold Day(previously also a Ball) together with Graeme Board and Co Gold Crown Yearling Sales.

Club Secretary in the mid 1980’s Ken Davis proposed the establishment of a rich futurity style series for two year olds tobe run at Bathurst. Enlisting the support of the “founding fathers” (Jack Honan, Bill Wise, Noel Simpson), enabling a strong pool of stallions to be nominated thus ensuring eligible youngsters were paid up for the series.

The first Gold Crown carnival was held in March 1987 (finals Saturday 21 March) and for the first thirteen years consisted of two year old divisions for colts/geldings (Gold Crown) and fillies (Tiara) only. Sponsorship was provided by Carlton and United Breweries (hence Carlton Gold Crown) while Qantas provided return air fares for two to New Zealand for the foal nominator of the Crown and Tiara winners in 1987. The club President for the inaugural carnival in 1987 was Greg Inwood with his able Secretary being Ken Davis.

It was not until 2000 that the three year divisions of Gold Bracelet (fillies) and Gold Chalice (colts/geldings) were introduced. These races have evolved over the years to the extent that today’s features are run at Group One level for two year old Crown and Tiara and Group Two level for the three year old Bracelet and Chalice (Group Three level until 2018). Thethree year trot (Gold Crown Coronet) run at Listed level was introduced in 2001 (not run 2002, 2004 – 2007) while the two year old Coronet run from 1990 – 1999 (previously Bathurst 2yo Trotters Classic 1987-1989) and an open mare’s event the Gold Pendant (2009 – 2011) both at Listed level beingno longercarnival features.

The inaugural winner of the Gold Crown in 1987 was Rocket Jason (1984g JR Skipper/Rock N Rumble), tr John Beeby/dr Cyril Caffyn, owners John Beeby and Sam Helias; 2:10.0/2:03.0 for 1700mMS (career record : 1:59.2, $210,704, at two winner also of Nowra/WDTA Debutants, Sam Brooking Classic, NSW Tatlow/Sapling Stakes). The Gold Tiara was won by Loves A Dance (1984f Young Dancer/Out To Charm), tr Don Moon/dr Colin McDowell, owners Colin McDowell and Chris Lee; 2:12.8/2:05.7 for 1700mMS (career record : 2:04.4, $32,472). A crowd of approximately 4,000 were on course to welcome home the first Gold Crown and Tiara winners.

Entry into the Gold Crown carnival’s two and three year old races entails a series of nomination and sustaining payments being made. The 2018 carnival maintains a full programme of races for two/three year old pacers and three year old trotters. This consists of two year old Gold Crown and Tiara heats, silver and gold consolations and Finals over 1730mMS; three year old Bracelet and Chalice heats, gold consolations and Finals over 2260mMS plus Coronet three year trot over 1730mMS.

Stake money for the Crown/Tiara finals has been held consistently at a level of $100,000 since 2005 (also 1999 and 2000). The initial finals were for $105,000 (Crown) and $52,500 (Tiara) and for a number of the earlier years featured finals with values in excess of $100,000 e.g. highest prizemoney $202,450 Crown ($210,000HRA) and $127,637 Tiara ($131,250HRA) in 1990. The Bracelet and Chalice finals now feature prizemoney of $55,000 (increased from $50,000 this year) having risen from an initial level of $25,000.

A number of innovations have been introduced over the years such as Gold Crown Honouree/Yearling Sales/Social programme (all started 1990), equal prizemoney for Tiara and Crown finals (1996), three year old series (2000), deletion of semi-finals and adoption of heat/final structure, introduction of Gold Coronet for 3yo trotters (2001), abolition of stallion nomination and mares served fees (2008) are some examples of moves made by this progressive club.

Whereas Brian Hancock (five Pacers ID Grand Finals as trainer/driver) is known as King of the Interdominions (perhaps Mark Purdon with three Pacers and three Trotters Grand Finals as driver; two Pacers and Five Trotters ID Grand Finals as trainer can now be considered in the same light), Chris Alford is undisputed champion driver of the Bathurst Gold Crown carnivals. Following 2017 carnival, he has nine victories in finals of either Crown (2), Tiara (3), Bracelet (3) or Chalice (1). The chasing pack with three victories consists of Amanda and Steve Turnbull, Michael Formosa, Russell Jack, Darren Hancock and Brian Harpley. A further nine drivers have had two successes.

There have been a number of dual successes by two and three year olds winning both their respective divisions since the introduction of the three year old featuresin 2000, notably :

Crown/Chalice – Soho Valencia (2011, 2012), Artistic Flite 2014, 2015)

Tiara/Bracelet – Nemeeshar (2003, 2004), Lady Euthenia (2009, 2010), Aussie Made Lombo (2010, 2011), Frith (2012, 2013), Don’t Think Twice (2016, 2017)

The only same year driving success double in the Crown and Tiara finals to date was that of Ricky Thurlow in 1998 with Flubber and Terricherry.

As for fastest times recorded during the Gold Crown carnivals, mile rate records** show :

Crown – Jaccka Taurus 1:58.1 (1999); Castalong Shadow 1:55.2 (2017)

Tiara – Terricherry 1:58.7; My Sweetchilliphilly 1:54.7 (2017, only sub 1:55MR to date in all Gold Crown carnival Finals)

Chalice –Ultimate Art (1:57.9, 2013); Fouroeight (1:55.6, 2016)

Bracelet – Vista Bella (2008, 1:58.4); Read About Lexy (2015, 1:56.5)

Coronet (3yo) – Hanginwiththestars (2009, T2:08.1, 2130m); Red Hot Tooth (2016, T1:59.3, 1730m).

Note : Bathurst 2yo Trotters Classic run 1987 – 1989, best time over 1700m – Jeb Ryan T2:09.4 (1987); Coronet (2yo) 1990 over 1700m, Southern Land T2:09.3, 1991 – 1997 over 1740m Nancy’s Idol T2:13,4 (1996), over 1730m 1998 -1999 Come On Sam T2:08.3 (1999)

** up to 2014 at Showgrounds, 2015 onwards at Paceway

Based on the four Pacers Finals, leading sires of winners have been Art Major and Bettors Delight with five (3yo Trotters, Sun Lamp two), dam sires of moment are Classic Garry and Falcon Seelster with three (no Trotting BM sire with more than single success to date) and most prominent family of winners is that of Bessie B (N2) with seven (Trotters, Trilby N18, two).

New Zealand representation at the Gold Crown carnival has been limited over the years but not without some degree of success. The latest participant was Lady Chatto in the 2017 Tiara for brother’s Tim (tr) and Anthony Butt (dr) – she won her heat and finished a distant second in Mysweetchlliphilly’s sub 1:55 mile (1:54.7).Lady Chatto (Loretta and Tom Richardson) is an entrant for 2018 Gold Bracelet. Winning performances in previous years were recorded by :

MASTER MUSICIAN : NZ two year old of the year for the 1989/90 season, Master Musician (tr Robert Dunn, dr Robert Mitchell) made a clean sweep of his heat, semi-final and final of Bathurst’s Carlton Gold Crown series. He was among the first New Zealand visitors to the Gold Crown carnival. Three races in the space of a fortnight saw him collect A$109,409 in earnings for his efforts. He won his 1700mMS heat by twenty metres in a 2:07.3MR (2:14.5); another Kiwi in Choice Vance (tr/dr Owen Purdon) won his heat while Stabilizer and Crafty Servant both placed second; former Kiwis (Our) New Life and Larry won heats.

In his semi-final success, Master Musician in winning by nine metres rated 1:59.9 (2:06.4) smashed the track record set by Choice Vance a week earlier by 1.6 seconds. Choice Vance won one of the other two semis from Larry in a 2:02.8 MR while Vin Knight trained Sir Sheffield won the other in a 2:02.0MR having also won his heat (2:03.1).

In drawing one in the final, Master Musician completely dictated the race after being taken to the front immediately by Robert Mitchell. Eased down to win by nine metres from Choice Vance with twelve metres to third placed Rivers Road, he rated a 1:58.2MR (2:04.9) bettering Keystone Major’s (Tony Turnbull) all aged record of 1:58.4 (14 February 1987). His Gold Crown winning MR at the Showgrounds was only beaten by locally trained Jaccka Taurus’s 1:58.1MR in 1999. Owned by Ken McDonald and Eugene Storck, Master Musician’s trainer (and regular driver at the time) Robert Dunn had been bed ridden with hepatitis for nearly a month prior to the final but he managed to be in attendance to witness his colt’s superb victory.

Master Musician went onto become one of the finest pacers never to win a NZ Cup (twice placed second, once third). He retired as a ten year old with earnings of $1,926,810 (21 NZ/13 AUS wins), 1:54.0 (Addington), seven Group Ones throughout Australasia (NZ 2yo Championship, NZ Derby, Hunter/Victoria/Auckland/Easter Cups, Monsanto 4 Quarter Mile 1:54.0), two Group Two’s, five Group Threes and three Listed races (includes Bathurst Gold Crown which attained Group One status in 2006, Lombo Pocket Watch).

ANOTHER PARTY : master trainer Mark Purdon prepared him throughout his NZ career. His first four starts as a two year old were in Australia and they were winning successes. First up he won in the hands of Mark Tracey at Bankstown, followed by heat (dr Brian Hancock, 2:2.0), semi (2:02.0) and Bathurst Gold Crown final (1:58.4MR) successes in March 1997 when driven by Tony Herlihy. It was notable that his “strapper” was none other than legendary horseman Roy Purdon. Including his Bathurst Gold Crown victories, he had amassed earnings of $160,525 from five NZ and four Australian wins prior to his permanent export to Western Australia in March 1999. Major successes came in Hunter/Fremantle Cups with a career record showing earnings of $888,678, 1:56.3, total of thirty one victories.

DANCINGONTHEMOONLIGHT : winner of the inaugural Bathurst Gold Bracelet in 2000 when driven by Steve Turnbull for The Burner Syndicate(NZ) and trained at the time by Brendon Hill and Tremain Thorby. Winner of a Gold Tiara consolation the previous year at two, Dancingonmoonlight returned at three to win four consecutive races in March 2000. She started with prelude and final of NSW Oaks at Harold Park to be followed by heat (2:05.8) and final of Gold Bracelet in 1:59.8MR, a time only bettered twice in the Bracelet finals at the Showgrounds in the next fourteen years.

Dancingonmoonlight would go onto race at four/five in NZ and Australia and as an older mare in North America (Canada/USA). Her career stats show nineteen wins – four in NZ, ten in Australia, three in Canada and two in USA for earnings of $375,674 (without exchange rate adjustments) including major successes in NSW Oaks (prelude/final), Bathurst Gold Bracelet, Breeders Crown all at three and Victorian Ladyship Mile. Dam of Miss Moonlite (1:54.7, Breeders Crown – 4m) and Moonrock (1:54.6, NZYSS Aged, Popular Alm FFA).

Among leading pacers to have won Gold Crown carnival finals are Lombo Pocket Watch, Chariot King, Master Musician, Frith, Shake It Mama, Lady Euthenia, Lombo La Fe Fe, Yeronga Songbird, Seelster Sam.

Who will they be in 2018?? Watch for my article reviewing the Gold Crown carnival and associated first ever Gold Crown “Harness The History of Bathurst Tour” in early/mid-April.

Peter Craig

19 March 2018

Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com

Driving The Future Of Harness Racing