With only 8 starters atm and no back row runners horses being out of position at the start has become very common .
It is very common to see the horses drawn 1 and 2 hold back from the mobile and hit the gate at top speed to gain a fast start. They are only in position right at the start point. They only penalty seems to be a warning for OPS.
For integrity reasons this needs to be stamped out. If horses are not in position about 30m before the start, the start should be aborted and large fines placed on drivers. Under the current rules they should be false starts but the starters are ignoring the rules. Most likely due to pressure from Sky Racing to have races start on time.
I believe integrity (Fair starts) are more important for the industry.
Here is a perfect example of what I am talking about. Yes my horses suffered due to it so there are some sour grapes involved. Watch race 5.
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fi...s/?mc=BA060520