2024 Inter Dominion preview

This year’s Inter Dominion harness racing series for both the Trotters and Pacers kicks off at Newcastle this Friday evening when New South Wales hosts the event.

The event which used to be the showcase of harness racing for both Australia and New Zealand was always guaranteed top billing due to the interstate competition. However over the years with States running their own feature races and New Zealand withdrawing from the series the event has lost much of its glamour. 

This year’s series has been weakened with the withdrawals of Leap to Fame and Swayzee in the Pacers and Just Believe in the Trotters. Nonetheless this opens up the series to more even racing and that counts with the crucial reliance on betting turnover. There’s little doubt that had Leap to Fame and Just Believe competed their heats would have had little betting interest due to their dominance. And that’s not taking anything away from the exploits of Leap to Fame, Swayzee and Just Believe. They have shown themselves to be true stars and given the industry a boost where they have performed.

Organisers at Harness Racing New South Wales will be hoping that the racing is keen and competitive throughout and there is a build up to the main Finals night at Menangle Park on Saturday 14 December. 

And at first glance there appears to be some competitive and evenly matched heats which should make for exciting racing around the spacious Newcastle circuit.

Pacers Heat 1:

Star West Australian pacer Minstrel has drawn the pole position and on the strength of his powerhouse last start performance to take out the Group1 West Australian Pacing Cup looks the one to beat. He’s very tough and will relish the challenging schedule of three rounds of heats and final.

Max Delight has a wonderful record with $1.17 million in stake money and he is bound to be prominent from his draw.

District Attorney has finished down the track at his last two starts but he is capable of doing better. 

Another NSW entrant Don Lou is racing in great form at present and he’s very familiar with the Menangle Park circuit. From the second row he reads as a good place prospect.

Pacers Heat 2:

Don Hugo will start a warm favourite on the strength of his last start win in the TAB Eureka at Menangle. Trainer Luke McCarthy is sure to have the Art Major entire at his best in the series and he has drawn the coveted pole position. But he won’t have everything his own way.

Captain’s Knock has a brilliant turn of speed and has won the Breeders Crown series as a two, three and four year old. Last start he was fourth in the Italian Cup at Menangle but even from his second row draw driver Brad Hewitt is sure to have him in the firing line at the business end of the race.

Victorian Mach Dan also possesses a quick turn of foot and has won over a million dollars in prize money. He’s awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second row but with a clear run he could be right in the finish. Nyack and Nerano are also capable of running forward races.

Pacers Heat 3:

This is probably the most open heat of the night with Queenslander Blacksadance right in contention from the pole. He’s been a model of consistency and comes into this event on the back of a last start win in the Queensland Cup at Albion Park.

Can’tfindabetterman is firing having won three of his last four appearances and trainer Isobel Ross has the brown gelding racing in rare form. He is to be driven by Chris Alford who is bound to give him every chance. 

Curly James is arguably the best runner in the race but he will have to come from the second row. 

Local gelding Star Major is a tough performer and he could surprise for his trainer driver James Rattray.

Trotters Heat 1:

Exciting trotter The Locomotive has been flawless at his last four wins including setting a new Australian record over 2300 metres at Menangle Park at the start of the month. He then led his rivals a merry dance over the 1609 metres trip at Menangle and if as expected he runs to the lead then he should be too strong.

London To A Brick is a class performer and has shown outstanding form throughout his career. Resuming last start he found The Locomotive too strong but he should improve on that effort and can be expected to get better as the series progresses.

Keayang Chucky blotted his copybook at Melton last start but he shows great promise having won two Free For Alls in good company and he will have the services of top local reinsman Will Rixon.

Trotters Heat 2:

Victorian mare Aldebaran Vera continues to improve and is line for a hat trick after impressive wins in similar company at Melton. This is her first trip interstate but she will acquit herself well.

Royal Dan is the inform runner of the race and he showed a touch of class when he won the Spring Trotters Sprint at Albion Park. He’s not well drawn on the second row but if he gets a clear run he will be prominent. And trainer Jason Grimson is sure to have the Orlando Vici gelding firing for the series.

Mufasa Metro is flying at present with two recent wins at Melton and if as expected he takes the lead he will take beating. 

Queen Elida has not won since March of this year but her previous runs have indicated some glimpses of her previous ability. She is a seasoned trotter and too good to dismiss. 

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink