Harness racing, like other forms of racing, are timed. The overall race time is recorded as well as sections of the race based on the first horse to reach these points. These include:

Lead Time: Time recorded from start of race to the start of the final mile (1609m) of the race.

First Quarter: Time recorded to run the first quarter of the final mile – between final 1609m and the final 1206.75m of the race.

Second Quarter: Time recorded to run the second quarter of the final mile – between final 1206.75m and final 804.5m.

Third Quarter: Time recorded to run the third quarter of the final mile – between final 804.5m and final 402.25m.

Fourth Quarter: Time recorded to run the last quarter of the race – between final 402.25m and finish.

In harness racing the total time is also recorded as a mile rate using a calculated time as follows:

Mile Rate = Total Time x 1609 / Distance Run

Individual Sectionals

Sectional times are provided for each race, but this doesn’t tell you the full story of the race. PJ Data provides individual sectional times for each horse in each race for the final 2 quarters (Third and Fourth Quarters) of the race.

Using a few different methods individual sectional data is created and verified for each horse. The data produced includes the actual time taken for each horse to run the final 2 sectionals and the distance from the leader at the final 2 quarter markers. The accuracy of this work does depend on a few factors. For most locations the accuracy is equivalent to the frame rate of the video replay and in some cases better. This is typically 0.02 – 0.04 second accuracy. Noting the official times for the quarters are only provided to the nearest 0.1 seconds, the accuracy of this work is comparatively higher. The position data is within 0.2-0.4m with the exception of less than a handful of locations around the nation due to track dimension and camera angles.

Unfortunately, the limitation of PJ Data’s work is that we can’t provide other quarter sectionals or lead times for most locations. This is due to camera angles and track dimensions. We have provided 200m sectionals for NSW for a period of time and first 100m sections for each horse in Tasmania.

Data verification / comparisons

We regularly compare our data to other sectional data available. We are surprised at the difference, and we try to understand why. We cannot comment on how other data is produced but we know the work that goes into getting our data right. Both sets of data are published and if you look close enough you will see the large differences. This is concerning if you are using this information to make judgement.

PJ Data not only produce sectional data but also complete checks on the race data. We check every race sectional time and the overall time to the closest frame on video replays. You will be please to know that for the most part, they are correct. When they aren’t correct, general due to data entry errors or equipment failure, we alter them in our data and reports, so our sectionals are correct.

We have offered and provided comparison information to the industry. We stand by our accuracy and we are happy to demonstrate why our data is correct. The level of difference is common and variable.

To learn why individual sectional times are useful check out How to use individual sectional data.