Barrier draws make for muddy waters at Melton

The growing preponderance of preferential barrier draws on Victorian metro harness racing meetings since the National Ratings system was introduced harbours interesting origins.

For years – even decades – there’s been an unverified, almost patriarchal belief that making races more even encourages wagering interest, which raises turnover and increases stakemoney.

And, like many things in life, there was a period where this philosophy probably held water.

After all, thoroughbred racing has long been the lighthouse by which the two ‘minor’ codes have guided their vessels and, typically speaking, their markets are more even than the trots or the dogs.

Times, however, have rapidly changed – as is their wont in an era of technological and cultural revolution.

Where once, the gallops represented the world’s punting pinnacle, that crown now belongs to sport.

Where once most players backed to win and kept things fundamental, now young punters craft their multi’s so their mates go mental.

In this new world, one wonders whether the pseudo ‘cheap kills’ once offered on Saturday night at Melton wouldn’t naturally seduce these 10, 12 or 14-leg warriors of fortune.

There are at least three races at Melton this evening where pref draws have achieved everything which they intended while also creating critical confusion.

Pound for pound, Alby Two Chains is the premier pacer in tonight’s opening event.

The fact he’s drawn inside the second row, however, seriously muddies the waters.

Does he follow through? Does he restrain and whip around his rivals? Or does he pop off the fence and come with one, withering run?

In race five, the Golden Reign Free For All, each of the genuine big guns will start from second line draws.

Who of these leviathans will make the first move? Or will they wait on one another, playing ducks and drakes?

Then there’s the fast-class trot which closes out the Quad.

On paper, there’s a fast front row and ‘class’ runner Hammers Law should enjoy the tempo he possibly requires to humble an otherwise very even field.

But what if others sense this fact and alter their tactics accordingly?

Some will suggest these myriad variables build intrigue and inspire investment.

The truth is, nobody really knows.

What we can acknowledge are the facts listed below.

Punters have evolved; both in their attitudes to wagering and the broadcasting platforms they prefer for entertainment as much as information.

The chaos of meandering, meaningless markets once prized as ideal isn’t the high water mark it once was or seemed.

And simple, pick-your-poison markets like those seen in AFL or NRL – match-race markets if you will – will soon become the dominant language of post-modern punters.

What once was seen as evil – the short-priced fave with few convictions – isn’t quite so anymore.

And the previous concept of perfection – open races with infinite variables – sometimes seems too hard.

by Jason Bonnington, for Harness Racing Victoria