Some of the most talented two-year-olds and three-year-olds are set to light up the Bathurst Paceway across the next week, as the city gets ready to host the 2019 Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now in its 33rd edition, the Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival will see pacers battle it out to be crowned Gold Crown (for two-year-old colts and geldings), Gold Tiara (for two-year-old fillies), Gold Chalice (for three-year-old colts and geldings) and Gold Bracelet (for three-year-old fillies) winners.
And after previously being Group 3 races, the Gold Chalice and Gold Bracelet have been elevated to Group 1 status.
All four finals will boast $100,000 in prize money.
Bathurst Harness Racing Club CEO Danny Dwyer said the Gold Crown Carnival is the most exciting and busiest time of the year for the club.
He said the carnival always brings a economic boost too.
"It's growing as an event on its own and there's enough on to encourage people to stick around for a bit longer now, with the final on the Friday and the NRL on the Saturday," he said.
"It's only a week, shorter than previous years."
The Gold Crown final night was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 30, but it was later changed to accommodate the NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm at Carrington Park on the same night.
In terms of a tip for the Gold Crown final, Mr Dwyer said he likes Mistery Road, trained by Bathurst's John Boserio and driver by fellow local Anthony Frisby.
"He's had three starts for three wins. He won a race in Bathurst, then in Wagga and then a Group 2 at Menangle," he said.
"In terms of the lead up, you'll do well to find a horse with so much prestige as him leading into the Gold Crown."
It's growing as an event on its own.
- Danny Dwyer
It'll all begin on Friday, March 22, for a night meeting for the Gold Tiara Heats.
Gold Crown Heats will be held the following night, before the Gold Bracelet and Gold Chalice heats during the day on Monday, March 25.
The Gold Crown and Gold Tiara consolations will be held on Wednesday night, March 27, before the final night on Friday, March 29, for the Gold Crown, Gold Tiara, Gold Chalice and Gold Bracelet.
To keep updated on the Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival, visit the Western Advocate sport's section at www.westernadvocate.com.au/sport/.