2018 Gold Crown winning trainer-driver Bernie Hewitt.
IN a move designed to capture the best of both worlds for the harness racing and rugby league communities the 2019 Bathurst Gold Crown Final Night will move from its traditional home of the last Saturday in March, to accommodate the recently announced NRL clash between the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm at Carrington Park.
“A change is as good as a holiday” were the thoughts of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club President, Wayne Barker, on the decision of his Board to race one day earlier on the Friday night in 2019.
“There wouldn’t be any or many regional cities in New South Wales that could boost a NRL game and the equivalent of a Gold Crown Carnival harness racing meeting all on the same weekend,” Barker said.
“As a result of a generous prizemoney injection by Harness Racing New South Wales of $200,000 for the 2019 series and beyond, will see the Club now conduct four Group 1 Finals of $100,000 each, on Friday night 29 March, together with, total Carnival prizemoney of $850,000.
“The Board sees the changing of the date of the Gold Final Night as the perfect opportunity to promote an exciting weekend in Bathurst and a chance to promote both the Gold Crown and the NRL game to all regional and interstate tourists. It will be great for the visitors and the local community as well.
“As a Club, we couldn’t be happier with the support we have received from both Harness Racing New South Wales and Bathurst Regional Council. Both organisations have gone out of their way to ensure this weekend is a successful one and at the same time respecting the history and tradition of the Gold Crown Carnival.
“I’m really looking forward to the week and wouldn’t it be great to see Jimmy Maloney and Cameron Smith at the trots,” Barker joked.
Mayor of Bathurst Cr Graeme Hanger OAM said Council had been talking with the Harness Racing Club since the announcement of the Penrith Panthers -Melbourne Storm game.
“We want to ensure the best outcome for both the Harness Racing Club and for the NRL fixture," Barker said.
"To be able to offer visitors to Bathurst and local residents a weekend featuring a major harness racing event followed by an NRL game is remarkable. We will continue to work together to market both events and maximise visitor numbers in the region that weekend.”
