The 2018 Interdominion’s returned to Victoria after a ten year absence (pacing, 2008 – Moonee Valley) with the Trotters ID’s ceasing after the 2012 Trotters ID’s at Melton seeing its revival this year.
This year’s championships began the commencement of a nine year, 3-rotation plan proposed by co-hosts Harness Racing Victoria (HRV), Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), Club Menangle (NSWHRC) and Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW), endorsed by the Interdominion Council (IDEC). Following Victoria’s hosting, Auckland will host their grand final on 14 December 2019 and then New South Wales on 4 December 2020. Two repeats of the rotation, with hopefully Christchurch (2022) replacing Auckland as the New Zealand venue in the second rotation will follow.
Following the pattern of the traditional Interdominion, the opening night of heats were held at Melton on Saturday 1 December followed by the second and third round of heats at country Victorian tracks – Tuesday 4 December Ballarat and Saturday 8 December Cranbourne. Melton hosted the Grand Finals of both Pacers and Trotters Championships on Saturday 15 December. This was the first time a Pacers Grand Final has been held at Melton but the second occasion for the Trotters Grand Final (2012 – I Can Doosit). All ID races were mobile start events.
As we have done for the past sixteen ID’s (2004 – 2018, twice in 2015), my wife and I attended these latest Melbourne ID’s with Michael Gallenti’s Melbourne based harness racing travel specialists “Harness Racing Travelworld” (HRT). This year three tour durations (17, 10 or 3 days) were offered, each tour given a topical horse name – Lazarus (17 days), Chicago Bull (ten days) and Tiger Tara (three days) representing the trifecta from the 2017 Perth Pacers Grand Final.
Several New Zealand owned, trained and driven horses were represented at the carnival this year : Pacers series Cruz Bromac/Spankem (Mark Purdon/Natalie Rasmussen) and Im Pats Delight (Cran Dalgety) and in the Trotters series : Speeding Spur (John/Josh Dickie), Monty Python/Alderbeck (Phil Williamson), Wilmas Mate (Paul Nairn/Tim Butt during ID’s). In addition, a further 19 of the other 36 ID pacing contenders were Kiwi bred horses while a further seven of 24 trotters were Kiwi bred. The NZ breds accounted for two thirds of the final entries in the Pacers Grand Final (8 out of 12 contenders) and half of the field in the Trotters Grand Final (6 out of 12 contenders).
The nine Pacing and six Trotting qualifying heats run over three nights were held between 1 and 8 December with the Grand Finals on Saturday evening 15 December 2018. Prize money offered during the TABCorp ID carnival exceeded A$1.3m, the Gp 1 Pacers Grand Final representing A$500,000 (nine heats at A$30,000 and Gp 2 consolation at A$50,000) while the Gp 1 Trotters Grand Final was worth A$150,000 (six heats at $20,000). Other major races featured during the carnival were Group Three Caduceus Club 3yo Cup, Derby Royale Trotters FFA ($25,000), TAC Trotters FFA ($30,000), Melton City Council Pace Final ($30,000), Schweppes Pace Final ($30,000), Hyland Sportswear FFA ($30,000), Richmond Lass for mares ($30,000) and Gold Chalice for 3yo Fillies ($30,000).
Being part of a tour group means that harness racing is not the only activity engaged in but other events are organised to maintain the interest of participants. A brief outline of our 17 day tour is interspersed with the results of Interdominion racing. The tour commenced on Friday evening 30 November with HRT’s Welcome function and dinner at the Mantra on Russell.
Comfortably situated in our reserved seating in the Toolern Room in the Gordon Rothacker Grandstand, opening night winners at TABCorp Park, Melton (1040m) on Saturday 1 December 2018 were :
Pacing – the leader bias of the Melton track meant that the 2240m heats as expected were won by those favoured with front row barrier draws. In addition, with last halves paced in around 55 seconds, progress from further back in the field was difficult.
Heat One : My Alpha Rock, led and held the lead as Im Pats Delight made a mid-race move to initially sit in the death before taking the 1/1 trail. Spankem made his move to sit parked over final lap, coming away in the straight to win in a 1:54.3MR, at an over the odds $12 win price. Heat two : West Australian Galactic Star led all the way winning in a 1:54.1MR, also paying juicy double figure odds of $10, holding off San Carlo, parked over final lap by a neck.
Heat three : Cruz Bromac lived up to his name, leading the entire journey, his 1:53.8MR the quickest of the opening night.
Trotting – the two 2240m heats were won as expected by leading trotters Tornado Valley and Speeding Spur. Heat one : After leading early Save Our Pennys took cover behind Tornado Valley who quickly ran to the lead and was unchallenged thereafter (1:57.0MR).
Heat two : Speeding Spur took advantage of barrier two to lead all the way in a slower 1:58.7MR, winning by 8.5m. Two time Canadian World Drivers Champion (2001, 2011) Jodi Jamieson drove Maori Law into second place. He was to drive a winner during the championships in the first race at Ballarat (Majestic Player) on night two.
Following the opening night of heats, Sunday afternoon featured a Melbourne sights tour including admission to the Old Melbourne Goal and Captain Cook’s Cottage, Lygon St and the Grand Prix circuit around Albert Park. Monday saw travel through the Dandenong Ranges on the famous Puffing Billy steam train followed by lunch in the Yarra Valley at De Bortoli’s Locale restaurant followed by a cheese tasting. Departing for Ballarat on Tuesday morning from our Melbourne base, the tour visited the open air museum at Sovereign Hill depicting all things “gold mining”.
Positioned in the Terrace Restaurant, the second night heat winners at Bray Raceway (1000m), Ballarat on Tuesday 4 December 2018 were :
Pacing – heats over 1710m were held at Ballarat with the passing lane in operation for just the second time (ensured consistency at all three tracks utilized). Heat One : Wrappers Delight used his inside draw to lead all the way with Tiger Tara impressing in finishing fast for second after sitting parked early and Spankem flew home from well back in the field for third (1:53.6MR)
Heat two : Im Pats Delight was another all the way winner taking 0.2 second off the track record (1:52.2MR). The most intriguing part of this race was viewing Cran Dalgety’s (trainer) colourful shirt during the presentation!! Heat three : a different scenario in the final pacers heat of the evening with winner Cruz Bromac parked in the death before forging to the lead in the straight for his second comfortable heat victory (1:53.5MR).
Trotting – the two 1710m heats were won in completely opposite fashion by Kyvalley Blur and Tornado Valley. Heat one : Kyvalley Blur (drawn 12 and four back on the rails at one point) flashed home late down the outer to prevail in the last stride setting a new track record (1:55.6MR). Our Jack Hammer and Sky Petite were close up at the finish.
Heat two : in contrast to Kyvalley Blur, the first meeting of the two big guns saw Tornado Valley spear to the lead from the widest barrier (7) with Speeding Spur parked outside the leader the entire journey and out finished by Save Our Pennys for second (1:56.1MR).
The day after the Ballarat heats, the tour travelled to Geelong to visit the National Wool Museum and view the city sights before returning to Melbourne. Thursday commenced with a visit to “Living Legends”, retired champion thoroughbreds (including Apache Cat, Better Loosen Up, Fields of Omagh, Might and Power, Brew, Rogan Josh, Paris Lane and Zipping) situated at Woodlands Historic Park. Recently retired Kiwi stayer and Sydney Cup winner Who Shot The Barman had arrived on the property earlier in the week. Kyneton and Trentham together with the Macedon Ranges and Hanging Rock were visited next with our tour guide providing all the snippets and bits of history required on this area. Friday’s guided tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and viewing of the National Sports Museum was followed by a trip to the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower.
Located in the Golden Reign Room (Champions Room) for the third night’s heats on Saturday 8 December at Cranbourne’s Racing Complex (950m), tonight’s heats determined places in the following weeks Grand Finals :
Pacing – longer distance heats were run over 2555m at Cranbourne but with a similar leader bias to Melton noticeable. The final Pacing heats saw the major players again to the fore with Cruz Bromac recording his third heat success, Spankem his second along with Tiger Tara. Heat one : after being wide and then working around to the lead, Spankem proved an easy 7.7m winner (1:58.0MR). Heat two : Tiger Tara took over the lead with two laps to run (1:57.1MR) setting up a quinella with Our Uncle Sam that was to be repeated in the Pacers Grand Final a week later.
Heat three : in easily the quickest heat of the night (1:56.5), Cruz Bromac remained unbeaten at the carnival to this point defeating Im Pats Delight.
By the conclusion of the final of nine Pacing heats, Natalie Rasmussen had driven the winners of five of the six heats she contested.
Trotting – the 2555m heats were won by the two Kiwi bred and key Trans-Tasman participants for the Trotters Grand Final in Tornado Valley and Speeding Spur, both being all the way winners. Heat one : Tornado Valley after pulling hard throughout was impressive winning from Save Our Pennys in a 2:01.5MR. Heat two : Speeding Spur likewise was an all the way winner in a marginally quicker 2:01.3MR.
Like their counterparts at Ballarat, Cranbourne produced a slick operation and an impressive performance in hosting the ID heats – venues, meals, grounds.
Sunday 9 December was a free day prior to our five day Victorian regional tour. After leaving our Melbourne accommodation on the Monday morning, we attended the live Official Inter Dominion Barrier Draw breakfast at ZINC, Federation Square. Father Brian Glasheen (“the Pacing Priest”) once again blessed the Grand Finalists colours.
Departing Melbourne after breakfast, the first stop was Bendigo for lunch, a vintage talking tram sightseeing tour and a viewing of the Bendigo HRC’s History and Memorabilia Collection at Lords Raceway. Noel Ridge and the team looked after us well. Following our visit we continued our drive through to our overnight stop in Echuca. Tuesday in Echuca meant a cruise on the wood fed paddle steamer the PS Emmylou, a guided tour of the Port of Echuca including the Cargo Shed Museum before spending an afternoon at Alabar Farm (stallions including Art Major, Rock N Roll Heaven Always B Miki, Vincent and Roll With Joe paraded).
Wednesday included visits to Glenrowan (Ned Kelly’s last stand), Brown Brothers winery for lunch and sampling gourmet produce (cheeses, mustards/relishes etc) in the Milawa region before progressing through to Bright. Thursday’s trip promised viewing of the spectacular scenery of the Great Alpine Road through Mount Hotham (like 2008’s “white out”, rain and fog unfortunately prevented clear viewing), Dinner Plate, Omeo to Bairnsdale. Friday in the Gippslands, included a stop at Morwell for lunch at the Bowls Club and the Powerworks Energy Information Centre before returning back to Melbourne.
Saturday 15 December dawned overcast but fine with a full day’s activities in store beginning with the regular HRT Interdominion Calcutta at lunchtime at the RACV Club. With regular MC John Dunne, featuring expert panelists Gloucester Park CEO Mick Radley, race caller Dan Mielicki and Cranbourne President Bill Hutchinson, a great afternoon was had by all. Saturday evening and all was in readiness for the 2018 Interdominion Grand Finals. This evening we were again situated in the Toolern Room for the concluding stages of yet another successful ID championship.
Pacers Grand Final :
Run over a staying distance of 2760m and despite being beaten into placings in two of the heats, Tiger Tara representing NSW finally achieved his big Group One race win to go with others such as NZSS – 3c, GN Derby, NZFFA for former NZ owners that included Geoff Dunn (also trainer), Bob and Jenny Sandford and Geoff Dunn plus Australian Group Ones in Cordina Sprint and Victoria Cup.
A little unexpected, Mach Doro crossed to lead early from Galactic Star who broke slightly disrupting the field. As had been expected Tiger Tara then made his bid for the lead leaving Im Pats Delight parked initially before obtaining the 1/1 position behind San Carlo. With an unforgettable third quarter in 26.3 seconds, Todd McCarthy’s bold move broke the field wide apart. Clearing out over the last 400m, Tiger Tara went onto win by a margin of 14.4m from Our Uncle Sam, 1.4m to second favourite Cruz Bromac followed in by Spankem and Im Pats Delight. Tiger Tara had improved on last year’s third to Lazarus in the Pacers Grand Final at Gloucester Park. The 2760m journey was covered in a track record 3:15.3/1:53.9/54.2/27.9.
Tiger Tara is owned by Mickey Hawli, Ms Courtney Pizzuto, Kevin Pizzuto (trainer of Rossmore) and Mrs T N Pizzuto. The eight year old Tiger Tara’s dam, unraced Tara Gold is by Dream Away, a member of the N19 family of Dolly by Young Irvington (previous ID winners in Young Mister Charles, 1996 Perth and Tactician, 1955 Auckland) which has also left several prominent trotting victors. Tara Gold has produced five winners from five foals to race to date plus a qualifier. With his earnings now fast approaching $2m, Tiger Tara is yet another leading son of Bettors Delight with a personal best mile of 1:49.8 set at Menangle last year. Perth harness racing fans will have the opportunity to see Tiger Tara tackle the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups next month provided suitable flights can be arranged.
Trotters Grand Final : also contested over the 2760m journey, providing a close finish in the end with favourite Tornado Valley prevailing by a neck from the fast finishing Sky Petite. This handed sire Skyvalley the ID Trotters Grand Final quinella. Speeding Spur was a fading third 8.6m further back just in front of Monty Python. Victory was Tornado Valley’s seventeenth from twenty one Australian starts (unbeaten last seven) since arriving from Terry McMillan’s Ashburton stable.
Kate Gath is the first female winning driver of an ID Trotters Grand Final. Driven aggressively to lead from barrier six crossing leading NZ contender Speeding Spur not long after the mobile had pulled away, Tornado Valley again raced fiercely pulling hard throughout. After leading essentially all the way, Tornado Valley just managed to hold off Sky Petite in a new track record of 3:24.9/1:59.5/57.5/28.4.
The winner of seven races, placed on twenty one occasions from fifty seven starts in NZ, Tornado Valley has been a revelation in Victoria this season. With stake earnings now exceeding $400k and a best mile rate of T1:55.6, other Group One victories since moving to Australia include Australian Trotting Grand Prix and Bill Collins Mile plus a number of Group Three wins.
Tornado Valley is owned by Norm Jenkin and trained by Andy Gath at Long Forest. The seven year old’ s dam Begin, a two race winner, is by Australasian trotting supremo Sundon, she a member of the predominantly pacing bred family of Peri (N21). Tornado Valley is her only winner to date.
Other major winners on Grand Final night : Kiwi bred Falcon Seelster gelding Ellmers Image took out the Group Two TAB Pacers Consolation; Group Three victories went the way of Rackemup Tigerpie; USA bred trotting mare Pizza Queen; Dance Craze in the “pseudo” Trotters Consolation, Derby Royale FFA giving Yabby Dam Farms a trotting double as owner on the night; Conviction (1:53.5MR for 2240m, fastest over this distance on the night); Star Of Memphis; Glenferrie Blade (Mares) and Tangoingwithsierra (3yo fillies). Of the eleven races, female drivers won six with doubles to Amanda Turnbull and Kate Gath.
Rock N Roll Heaven was the only multiple winning stallion on the night with Rackemup Tigerpie and Star of Memphis whilst his sire Rocknroll Hanover won the final event with Solid As A Rock. NZ bred horses won four of the eleven race programme.
Overall, the carnival provided competitive racing with numerous quick times recorded by the Interdominion contenders. The championships did suffer slightly with a number of horses being withdrawn from the latter heats.
TABCorp Melton provided a successful introduction to the first of three three year rotations of the Pacers and Trotters Interdominions. A fortnight plus of touring, together with a thoroughly enjoyable four nights of high class harness racing with the country clubs of Ballarat and Cranbourne in particular providing a great spectacle and presentation in conjunction with Melbourne’s metropolitan venue of TABCorp Park, Melton.
It is already countdown time for next year’s 2019 Interdominion Grand Finals to be hosted at Alexandra Park, where Australasia’s most prestigious harness racing event, the Interdominions returns again to Auckland, New Zealand after an eight year absence (2011 Addington ID’s held in Auckland due to 2010/2011 earthquakes). It can’t come quick enough to be involved in the next instalment of the Interdominion Championships back in my home town where I saw my first ever Standardbred race at Alexandra Park.
N.B. : dates have been confirmed as Friday 29 November, Tuesday 3 December, Friday 6 December with Grand Final night Saturday 14 December 2019.
Peter Craig
19 December 2018
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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