20 February 2023 | Jordan Gerrans
After dipping their toes into the Inter Dominion series last year, Darrel Graham feels the team behind prized trotter Majestic Harry will be “blessed” in their own backyard later this year.
The entire Graham clan was rewarded for their efforts on Sunday night as Majestic Harry was crowned the Trotter of the Year at the 2022 Queensland Harness Awards in Brisbane.
Darrel prepared the six-year-old for much of his 2022 campaign, before he was transferred into the name of Stephanie Graham – Darrel’s daughter – for their Inter Dominion campaign.
Majestic Harry is often driven by Darrel’s other daughter – Brittany – who also owns the gelding, alongside her mother Linda.
Three of the four Grahams were on hand to accept the prize on Sunday night, with Stephanie watching on through FaceTime.
The New Zealand-bred trotter campaigned admirably through the Inter Dominion series in Victoria last year and Darrel feels the entire team will be better prepared when the big show rolls into the Sunshine State later in 2023.
“That is what it is all about, it is about learning,” Darrel said.
“It is all about taking a horse away to Victoria as we did and we are blessed this year with Inter Dominion is in our own backyard.
“It was great for the horse and it is onwards and upwards from now on.
“He is a lovely little horse.”
Hot off the heels of the 2022 Inter Dominion, all eyes will now be on Queensland, who will host the series for the first time since the Gold Coast in 2009.
The dates and venue for the 2023 Inter Dominion Championship have recently been unveiled, commencing on Friday, December 1, 2023.
The second and third rounds of qualifiers will follow on December 5 and December 9 respectively, culminating with both pacing and trotting Finals on Saturday, December 16.
Harness Racing Australia’s CEO Andrew Kelly was in Brisbane for the awards ceremony on Sunday evening and is confident planning for the return of ID to Queensland is well and truly on track.
“We are looking forward to Inter Dominion being back in Queensland this year and what I am really enjoying is the embracing of every component of it from the club and the controlling body – there is a real partnership there and everyone is working together as a team,” Kelly said.
“Credit where it is due that everyone is on the same page and December 2023 cannot come quick enough.”
Majestic Harry was crowned Queensland Trotter of the Year after claiming six victories from 23 starts in 2022, headlined by his fairytale fifth position in the Inter Dominion Trotting Final for the Grahams.
Before heading to the southern state for further feature racing, Majestic Harry also nabbed the 2022 Group 2 Trotters Spring Sprint at Albion Park.
After a short break following the ID series, Majestic Harry is back up and running this year, finishing fourth at Menangle on Saturday evening, beaten by a fellow Queenslander in Shannon Price’s Van Sank.
Darrel is already thinking of ID later this year in Brisbane for Majestic Harry and is optimistic a couple of others from his barn may also push their chance for a spot on the biggest stage in the sport.
“He is there and there is a few other trotters and pacers there, as well,” Darrel said.
“That is what you strive to do, you strive to be at the elite level.
“Hopefully we can get there.”
Asked if Majestic Harry had exceeded the family’s expectations from when he was first purchased, Darrel said he had by “a million percent”.
“He was just a little horse Brittany bought to drive on a Tuesday or Friday at Albion Park and we never dreamed of going to an Inter Dominion,” Darrel said.
“And, to make a Final in the Inter Dominion, it is unbelievable.”
Kelly believes the entire industry from across the country are looking forward to Australasia’s premier harness racing event – the Inter Dominion Championship – taking centre stage at Albion Park throughout December this year.
“Everyone loves coming to Queensland,” Kelly said.
“I loved flying in on Sunday, I felt right at home again.
“New Zealanders are more likely to come to Queensland, maybe than any other state, but I think people love to come here.
“We have seen that during the recent Constellations Carnival.”
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