The Gold Crown carnival was hailed as the best harness racing carnival in Australia by the general manager of Alabar Stud, John Coffey, during Saturday night’s grand final.
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Mr Coffey was recognised at this year’s honouree dinner.
CEO of Bathurst Harness Racing Danny Dwyer was thrilled, saying he was really happy with the success of the Gold Crown Carnival across the whole 10 days.
He said he believes crowd numbers at this year’s carnival were up, with each race meeting well attended.
There was a particularly good turn-out on the first Saturday night of the carnival.
Mr Dwyer said organisers concentrated on filling up the heats for that event, and it paid off.
An appearance by the X Factor’s Jai Waetford also added to the success of the evening, drawing in a younger crowd.
Mr Dwyer said entries in this year’s Gold Crown Carnival were received from all over Australia including Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and across NSW.
A crowd of more than 2500 poured into Bathurst Showground for Saturday night’s Gold Crown final, the last to be held at the showground.
Mr Dwyer said when harness racing moves to the new track later this year, he hopes the Gold Crown Carnival will go from strength to strength.
“We’ve been a bit restricted in the past,” he said.
“Once we are out there, there is no reason for people not to come.”
Mr Dwyer said the hype around the new track will definitely work in Bathurst’s favour.
He said the fact that the industry has spent $6 million on the new track will definitely create interest in next year’s event.
Among the highlight’s of this year’s event was Mark Hewitt’s win in the Gold Tiara.
The Western Districts trainer and driver has run second in previous Tiaras so it was a popular win.
Former Bathurst boy John McCarthy also tasted success in his first Gold Crown drive.
“It’s all good publicity,” Mr Dwyer said.
