Last Friday's experiment using a drone-mounted camera to view the qualifying races at The Raceway at the Western Fair District has drawn more interest from outside the harness racing world.
The local CTV station in London compiled a feature on Tuesday, working in footage captured by the drone. According to a previous article published Saturday, two drones were used and operated by a pilot and second crew member controlling the video feed. The drones hovered approximately 20 metres overhead travelling at a speed around 45 km/hr to capture the qualifying races.
"The one thing that resonates is the speed at which things happen," said Western Fair's Racing Manager Greg Blanchard. "A drone, in a way, can take you right into the race and you can travel with the horses in the pack and see exactly how fast they're moving and how quick the action unfolds...it just gives you an entirely different perspective."
The intent of the pilot project, announced in November, is to explore innovative ways to build on the officiating capabilities of Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) race officials. Racetracks are required to provide the race officials with race patrol video throughout the race course. These live and recorded images are viewed by the officials both during and after the race in order to determine if any violations of the rules of racing have occurred.
"You might be able to zero in on certain spots on the track where we might be hindered on the angles, whereas with the drone flying right over top we'd be able to see things and zoom in on it to really determine if there was an infraction," said AGCO's Manager of Racing Mike Wilson.
While the focus of the pilot project is geared towards racing officials, Blanchard did not discount this footage being used for the customer in the future, stating that Western Fair is "always looking for ways to improve [the product] and make it better, and embrace new technology."
According to Wilson, the AGCO will be reviewing the drone footage and expects more testing of drones and other technologies.
Its not new technology. Hong
Its not new technology. Hong Kong Jockey Club has been using it for years.
They not only use it as a Judges tool, but they also use it as a HANDICAPPING TOOL. They offer up the angle in their video review archive free of charge to all handicappers.
North American horse racing is still in the 1960's.