The scintillating TAB Trot Rods series is set to make its highly anticipated return to Redcliffe Paceway next week.
Staged over six weeks, the series will again be raced over the unique 947-metre distance – one of the shortest in the world – with a $10,000 cash bonus and Otto Tuza 3 horse float on offer for the quickest lap across the 20 heats.
Throughout April and May, ‘The Triangle’ will host weekly heats each Wednesday, culminating in a finale night on Wednesday, May 25, which will be isolated to 10 Trot Rods races and showcased on SKY 2 coverage via Foxtel.
The third iteration of the series, which has been known for its innovative broadcast enhancements, will again utilise concepts including driver cam, drone race footage, and caller to driver audio.
In 2022, a new ‘time to beat’ line – akin to the swimming world record graphic – will also be introduced, enabling viewers to experience the thrill of the pursuit for the fastest series time.
RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said that the Trot Rods series continues to be well-supported by both participants and punters alike.
“Now in its third year, Trot Rods has been highly successful in showcasing harness racing to a broader demographic both in Queensland and nation-wide,” he said.
“The series has continued to grow exponentially over its first two years, with turnover on last year’s finale growing to over $3 million and outstripping standard Wednesday Redcliffe meetings.
“Further, we have seen Trot Rods continue to raise the benchmark for broadcast innovations in the sport, and the introduction of a ‘time to beat’ line will only add to the excitement of the already thrilling series.”
In another first for the series, the five leading drivers who will compete across all 10 heats on the final night will include an interstate challenger and two locals who will be selected by the public via an online vote.
The remaining two slots will be selected by Racing Queensland, in conjunction with Redcliffe Harness Racing Club.
Following on from its successful introduction in 2021, a live draft (televised live via Sky 2 on May 23) will give each of the five drivers the opportunity to select their own horse across each heat for the feature final evening.
The draft order – determined by a random ballot – provides each driver with two opportunities to select first, second, third, fourth and fifth.
The Trot Rods series is a fantastic innovation from Racing Queensland in conjunction with our Club, and we are proud to play host once again,” Redcliffe Harness Racing Club president Bernie Ring said.
“The final night will once again be an unmissable spectacle, with action both on and off the track for all to enjoy.
“The concept continues to be well received by all involved in the sport, and we look forward to being able to deliver another successful series in 2022.”
The maximum field size throughout the promotion will again be limited to five, with an emergency to be drawn.
Click here for more information on Trot Rods.