Western Australian racing has been thrown into controversy after Racing and Wagering WA confirmed two races at Lark Hill last month were conducted over incorrect distances, despite attracting significant wagering from both Australian and international punters.
Industry discussion and social media speculation intensified this week after concerns emerged surrounding the opening official race meeting at the Lark Hill training centre in Port Kennedy on April 26.
Racing and Wagering WA has now acknowledged that both the Lark Hill Cup and a supporting handicap were run over 1680 metres rather than the advertised 1600 metres, a critical discrepancy for punters assessing form and betting markets.
The meeting, officially branded as a Rockingham fixture by Racing WA, proceeded without any concerns being raised on raceday, with stewards declaring correct weight shortly after jockeys weighed in.
As a result, punters who backed losing runners will not be entitled to refunds, as race outcomes stand once correct weight has been posted.
“Racing WA can confirm that race distances for the Rockingham meeting were based on existing survey conditions,” a Racing WA spokesman said in a statement on Thursday.
“A subsequent survey post the 26 April 2026 race meeting has identified an amendment to the 1600m starting position, which has been updated.”
The revelation has sparked criticism over racing standards and integrity in WA, particularly given the impact incorrect distances can have on form analysis and race outcomes.
Wayne The Pain, partnered by Ava Catarino, claimed the Lark Hill Cup by a narrow margin over Beats Of War, while Cassey Martinan guided Startling Star to a head victory over Space Academy in the accompanying handicap.
Attention intensified after racing observers questioned unusually slow times recorded in the two supposed 1600m races on what were firm track conditions.
The $20,000 Lark Hill Cup was completed in 1:43.74, while the handicap winner stopped the clock at 1:43.99 — times well outside expectations for a genuine mile event.
For comparison, Marwong holds the WA 1600m benchmark after running 1:33.73 in the Railway Stakes at Ascot, while other major WA tracks boast mile records of 1:34.91 at Belmont Park, 1:34.30 at Pinjarra and 1:34.92 at Bunbury.
One racing forum contributor, after reviewing footage of the Cup, claimed the field was already running before reaching the official 1600m marker.
“The cup field were running before they reached the 1600m post. So the race might have been closer to 1700m, which clearly helped Wayne The Pain at the expense of Beats Of War,” the post read.
