Coast Trots
The ‘trots’ is a term referring to the trotters who star in harness racing. Though not as big a sport as thoroughbred racing, harness racing is nevertheless an exciting and skilful kind of racing that has been consistently popular for decades.
Harness racing is generally run on a mile long track (1,906m). The horse pulls a sulky, a light two wheeled cart that uses bicycle wheels. The driver sits in the cart and carries a whip which is used primarily for signalling the horse. The use of the whip is governed by strict rules.
Horse Breed
Most racing horses for harness racing are restricted to Standardbred horses, called thus because only horses who could pace or trot a mile in a ‘standard’ time where entered into the Standardbred stud book. They are more placid horses than a thoroughbred, necessary for the harness race which involves more strategy and restraint than a thoroughbred race, they also have a longer body and shorter legs than a thoroughbred. Interestingly the Standardbred line can be traced back to one horse, Messenger in 1788 and nearly all Standardbred race horses will be of his lineage.
The Race
‘The Trots’ is a slightly misleading name for harness racing, given that there are two ways the race is run, either with trotters, or with pacers. Pacers make up nearly ninety percent of harness racing. The difference is in the natural gait of the horse, one is trotting, where the horse uses diagonal pairs of legs to run, and pacing, where the horse uses lateral pairs of legs to run. The reason pacing is more popular is that the horses can maintain a high speed pace without breaking stride and enter into a gallop, whereas this is a problem for trotters.
The Trots in Australia
Australia also favours pacers for harness racing, which is a popular entertainment in the country. There are some iconic tracks which are exclusively for harness racing (called paceways) such as Harold Park and Menangle Park paceways in Sydney. There are also many newer paceways, which offer both greyhound racing and harness racing such as the Gold Coast trots paceway Parkland Paceway. The Gold Coast trots is a very popular tourist and local attraction, with many saying that there has been a revival of the ‘old school’ trots back into the popular sphere.
You don?t have to be trackside to enjoy the trots!
Though the races can be fun, they can also be a hassle. Fighting through crowds, finding an elusive car space, waiting in lines and dealing with the hooligans who inevitably make their presence known at the track can all detract from the fun of the race. But you can still get involved and have a bet on your favourite without all the fuss of getting trackside.
Online betting is a great way to get your bet in without have to wait in line at the track or fight the crowds at the local bookmaker. Furthermore the convenience of placing an online wager can’t be overstated; you can do it in your own time, in a comfortable and familiar environment, without the pressure that can sometimes go hand in hand with the traditional betting arena.
For the amateur bettor online provides a confidential environment for you to place your bet and to get to understand the way betting works without any embarrassing or awkward moments at the bookmakers. You can have access to all the latest racing information, who is looking good, who has fallen out of the favourites and make an informed betting decision in peace.
Trots, or harness racing is a popular form of horse racing where drivers sit in a sulky pulled by the horse. Harness racing involves the horse trotting or pacing along the track at high speeds and is quite a strategic style of racing. The Gold Coast trots at Parkland Paceway and paceways in Sydney and other cities in Australia are all popular attractions for both locals and tourists alike, meaning the trots is still a popular sport after all these years. There is no need to be trackside in order to have fun with harness racing – placing a bet online is a great way to have all the fun of the races without the hassle, and all at your own convenience!
