TEN days, seven races and more than 5000 people attended the first Gold Crown Carnival staged at the new Bathurst Paceway.

After years at the Bathurst Showground, the first carnival on a new track would always be subject to more scrutiny, according to Bathurst Harness Racing Club chief executive officer Danny Dwyer.

“This one was a little bit small and I was more conscious of the result for the first one away from the showground,” he said.

The best feedback, though, has come from drivers and trainers, and Mr Dwyer said this will lead to the carnival’s long-term success and growth at the new track.

“It’s fairer and safer because it’s a big track. There’s less interference and their horses can get around the track without breaking their stride,” he said of drivers’ feedback.

“The feeling is, no mater what barrier you draw, you’ve got a chance to win.”

With the carnival coming to a close on Saturday night, two locals shared in the major prizes.

For the first time in 29 years the Turnbulls took out the Gold Tiara with Amanda Turnbull in the gig.

The horse, Pixies Parlour, was broken in by her brother Josh and trained by her father, and local harness legend, Steve Turnbull.

“It’s a race that’s always eluded them over time. It’s always a dream to get one through to the final, but to win is something else,” Mr Dwyer said of the Turnbulls’ win.

The other local winner was Bernie Hewitt in the Gold Bracelet for three-year-olds.

An addition to this year’s carnival was a new race, one for horses aged four and above.

“It was to give the horses that weren’t competing in the Gold Crown, the older horses, a chance to compete in a meeting without having to travel,” Mr Dwyer said.

The new track has also proved a winner for spectators, according to Mr Dwyer, with grandstand seating and an expansive indoor area to beat any kind of weather.

Despite teething problems with the track’s surface after the first race held in October last year, it has gone on to positive reviews and has become known as a fast track.

Mr Dwyer said the carnival’s success would help attract a greater variety of entrants for next year’s event.

“We’re hopeful it will attract more horses that predominantly race at Menangle in Sydney and it’s part of our marketing for interstate horses,” he said.

“We’ll build on what we’ve done for this year.”

This year’s carnival also saw a record $1.22 million in gross sales at the yearling sales, the best in Gold Crown Carnival history.

“There were 138 sold, I don’t think they’ve broken a million before,” Mr Dwyer said.