Programming of The 2009-2011 Series
The system used in Melbourne received much criticism and therefore wasn't chosen to be used in the 2009 series on the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast series had two rounds of heats and bonus points for winning major races. The bonus points races are not only include Grand Circuit races in Australia and New Zealand, but also The Graduate at The Meadowlands and the Canadian Pacing Derby, both open age races in North America. The prizemoney has also been raised to $1,000,000 for the final. The trotters series remained as a two semi-final series held in Melbourne.
The 2010 series in New South Wales kept a similar format with no bonus points. The trotters series was again held in Melbourne. The 2011 series at Alexandra Park featured two rounds of heats for both pacers and trotters. A change to the points system saw points awarded only to the top eight placegetters - previously all heat runners earned points.
The 2012 series in Perth will return to the traditional three-heat format, while the trotters series will be held in Melbourne, and is set to be discontinued after 2012.
New South Wales will host the series from 2013-2015. However, a new structure will see seven heats run at different racetracks across Australia and New Zealand, with the winners and highest-ranked placegetters contesting a 14-horse final at Menangle.
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