The Lightning Lap series is a new format designed to inject some speed and adrenaline into WA harness racing, which has often been accused of being too predictable.

Three or four races of 1177m – just over one lap of the track ­– will be run at Pinjarra every fortnight.

Padditude has a winning time of 1.55.7sec, the second fastest of all his rivals on Monday, and has been known to lead his races by as much as 100m.

But he often brings himself undone with his hard-pulling antics and has also developed some wayward habits at the start.

Trainer Mark Lee said there is little doubt he could lead his rivals a merry dance if he fired up out of the mobile but connections were not keen to adopt tearaway tactics in the horse's first run since September.

The gelding has shown good race manners in five of his six trials since he was stood down at Bunbury for causing mayhem at the start of a 1609m race on September 14.

"We have been trying to get him to settle early and then work into the races," Lee said.

"You would think the 1100m should suit but we will see. He has been better on the mobile of late but that said, he can get stirred up on the day sometimes, so it's anyone's guess.

"He probably could lead if we stoked him up but I think most will be thinking that, so would prefer he came out under his own steam, which will be pretty close up anyway.

"The class horse out wide (Whataretheodds) can run some big sectionals and I think it just wins."

Lee said he did not set Padditude for the Lightning Lap but believed he could finish in the money.

"A place would do me. He was balloted out of my preferenced races," Lee said.

"I like the idea of them trying something new and we are happy to give it a go."

Leading driver Gary Hall Jnr has a strong chance in the race with the Michael Young-trained Firefly, a gelding with lots of gate speed and a strong record over sprint trips.

He also drives Haywire from barrier 5 in the race nine, the third Lightning Lap race of the day.

"Tactics will obviously be different but somewhat less important as most horses should be competitive over the distance," Hall said.

"I guess draws will still play a big part. I've watched them over east and if they go too hard up front, it still sets up the race for the back markers. Some horses will enjoy them.

"I think Firefly will be very hard to beat. He was very good last start.

"Haywire might find the going a bit tough from the draw but is capable."

Hall said it would be interesting to see whether the Lightning Lap races became popular with punters.

"Hopefully it's something that catches on but I think they'd only be successful at either Bunbury or Pinjarra because of the track sizes," he said.

In-form reinsman Mitchell Miller also has two drives in the Lightning Lap races and was keen to test out the short course concept.

His best chance looked to be Spring Line, who has drawn barrier six in the highly competitive George Printing Lightning Lap.

The gelding led from barrier eight at Gloucester Park when he won in 1.57.1sec over 1730m on June 23.

"Spring Line is a fast horse who's electric out the gate so it should be right up his alley but Peligroso is quick out inside us so it should be a good battle," Miller said.

"I'm not sure how important it is to lead. I haven't driven in the Dash for Cash at Bunbury yet, so I think that's a bit unknown to everyone.

"Recover Lover (race three) is a bit of a roller. She went just ok first up but think she'll go better Monday."