Carnival of Cups patrons across New South Wales have been stepping out of the grandstand and into the sulky, thanks to a state-of-the-art harness racing simulator that has travelled to every stop of this season’s series.
The cutting-edge simulator has been a standout activation at each Carnival of Cups meeting, giving attendees the rare opportunity to sit behind a virtual standardbred and experience the thrill of driving in a race environment.
From families and first-time racegoers to long-time participants in the sport, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with queues forming as soon as the gates open at each venue as patrons tested their skills on the reins.
Harness Racing NSW Education and Welfare Manager Maurice Logue said the simulator has added a new dimension to the on-course experience.
“The racing simulator has been an outstanding addition to our Carnival of Cups meetings,” Mr Logue said.
“It’s one thing to watch these athletes in action from the fence, but it’s another thing entirely to sit behind a horse and feel just how much coordination, balance and decision-making is required.”
Developed following extensive consultation with a group of experts, including leading NSW reinsman Darren Binskin, the simulator has been carefully designed to replicate the physical and tactical demands of race driving.
Binskin’s input ensured the experience was as authentic as possible — from the feel of the reins and the seating position in the sulky, through to the split-second judgement calls required in a competitive field.
Logue said that collaboration was key to the simulator’s success.
“We worked closely with Darren during development to make sure the simulator genuinely reflects what our drivers experience in a race,” Mr Logue said.
“The feedback we’ve had from participants has been fantastic. Many have come away with a newfound appreciation for the skill and athleticism involved in harness racing.”
At each Carnival of Cups stop, participants have been able to select a race scenario and test their ability to balance speed with control — learning quickly that driving a standardbred at full pace requires far more than simply holding on.
Patrons have the chance to don the colours of some of the sport’s champions of the past, from the legendary Hondo Grattan and Paleface Adios to modern-day greats such as King of Swing.
For younger patrons in particular, the simulator has served as both entertainment and education, offering a hands-on introduction to the sport and, in some cases, inspiring future ambitions in the sulky.
“It’s been wonderful to see teenagers and adults alike lining up to have a go,” Mr Logue said.
“Engagement is a big part of what Carnival of Cups is about. We want people to connect with the sport, and the simulator gives them a genuine, memorable experience they can’t get anywhere else.”
As the Carnival of Cups series heads into the final leg of schedule at Penrith Paceway on 20 March, the racing simulator will remain a feature attraction — bringing fans closer to the action and reinforcing Harness Racing NSW’s commitment to innovation and fan engagement.
For those yet to take the reins, the message is simple: step into the sulky and experience the race from the driver’s seat.
The Carnival of Cups at Penrith Paceway is free for all to attend. On the track, the Brad Hewitt trained and driven Captains Knock will be looking to continue its unbeaten feature race streak and will secure a million-dollar bonus if he can win the time-honoured Renshaw Cup.
As with each Carnival of Cups event, there will be entertainment for all-ages, with Australian music luminaries Eskimo Joe, Baby Animals and Chocolate Starfish headlining the music line-up on the trackside festival stage.
Carnival of Cups is free to attend but you do need to register for a free ticket beforehand. To secure your ticket head to www.carnivalofcups.com.au
