Pony trotters ready to chase their Inter Dominion dreams

They may be small but they will play a big part in Saturday night’s (Nov. 12) feature meeting at Tabcorp Park Melton.

Coco, Blaze and Sharky are just three of the nine horses competing in the first round of heats of the Pony Trot Inter Dominion – the biggest event of the season according to Pony Trots Victoria manager Jenni Lewis.

“All the participants are very excited and this is the biggest race by far for them,” Lewis said.

“There are 20 other children coming from interstate for the finals and three from New Zealand as well. Some of the drivers have never competed in an Inter Dominion before.”

In Saturday night’s first round of Victorian heats, supported by Matthew Craven Racing, nine home state drivers will be hoping to press their claims for spots in the ID22 Final at Melton on December 10.

“We have two races and this is the first round of three heats,” Lewis said.

“All ponies will race together and will be individually timed and compared with the other ponies in their height category across the heats. Two ponies from each category will qualify for the finals.”

One driver competing in Saturday night’s heats is six-year-old Ebony Mason, who will drive her pony Coco.

Ebony made her pony trots debut at Swan Hill last month finishing second with Coco and in her TrotsVision interview said the Pony Trots Inter Dominion was her main aim.

“It’s my favourite and I really like to do it,” Ebony said.

She will race against her older sister Bella Mason and her pony Blaze.

One driver looking to take the headlines off her father is Annabelle Stanley.

While her dad, Michael Stanley, has been over in New Zealand with star pacer Rock N Roll Doo, Annabelle has been busy preparing her pony Freak Fran for Saturday’s test.

On the topic of Victoria Cup form, driver Darcie Fisher is hoping he can continue the success after winning that pony trots Cup with Light The Fuse.

The pony trots will compete after races two and three as part of Saturday night’s Breeders Crown semi-finals, with the presentations to take place after race five in the Scotch Notch Cafe. The races and presentations can be enjoyed as part of the special TrotsVision.com.au coverage.

by Amanda Rando, for HRV