The fifth Melbourne Interdominion Pacing Championships took place in 1978 at Moonee Valley (first time at this track). The championships were determined over three rounds of mobile start heats ($10,000) at 2400m, 1 mile and 3300m with the Grand Final over 2900m for a prize of $105,000 and a $7,500 consolation (series total $202,500). This was the first all mobile series and first with a six figure Grand Final stake, with BP being major sponsor and contributing substantially to the stakes. The ID heats were run on Saturday 4, Wednesday 8 and Saturday 11 March with the Grand Final on Saturday 18 March 1978.
The eleventh and first ever Trotters Championships in Melbourne were held in conjunction with the Pacers Championships. The Trotters Championships being fully covered in the harnessbred article of 21 August 2018.
https://baringbloodstock.com.au/interdominion-trotters-championship-moonee-valley-part-one/
This was the first Interdominions in Melbourne since the shift from the old Melbourne Showgrounds track (host to Pacers only ID’s in 1950, 1959, 1964 and 1970) to the new 900m Moonee Valley harness track located inside the 1800m galloping track. A complete rebuild of the complex had bene undertaken over seven years with the new trotting track approved for construction in January 1976. Opened for racing on 30 October 1976 with all horses immediately improving their mile rates when compared to racing on the Showgrounds three furlong circuit. The forty four hectare (95 acre) Moonee Valley centre was located 4.8kms (3 miles) north of the Melbourne General Post Office and less than a kilometre (half mile) from Flemington racecourse.
The trotting track’s shell grit surface was sixty feet (18m) wide with two turns of 275m and two straights of 175m with a rise and fall of 1m. The track cost $1.1m to construct with a further $1.5m outlay on lighting. The Moonee Valley Racing Club proceeded with a tender for a new 120,000 square feet members grandstand with facilities behind two tiered seating galleries incorporating thirteen escalators and three lifts built at a cost of $6.8m. Parking spaces for 7,000 were available in the centre of both the galloping and trotting tracks plus other areas with undercover accommodation available in the grandstands and terraces.
The ID Conference offered generous travel subsidies and the Trotting Control Board of Victoria guaranteed transport by chartering its own airlift. Ten subsidies were approved for Kiwi visitors with seven being taken up – New Zealand representatives at the 1978 Pacers ID’s were Sole Command (1977 NZ Cup, 1978 Auckland Cup), Captain Harcourt, Wee Win and Regal Light together with three trotter’s Spartan Prince, Waipounamu and Yadran. Only Sole Command made the Pacers Grand Final field.
Two weeks prior to the carnival opening West Australian champion Pure Steel won the $60,000 Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley, his thirty third win from sixty starts, $351,515, after which he was installed favourite for the Pacers Grand Final (7/4, firming to 6/4 on eve of opening night). Defeating Dillon Titian, Don’t Retreat and Markovina while fifth placed Rip Van Winkle (NSW) the early ID favourite had also disappointed finishing fifth in the Cranbourne Cup. Subsequently he was found to be suffering from a liver complaint being a last minute withdrawal from the ID’s. A week later Don’t Retreat broke Tara King’s track record by .9 second when narrowly defeating Hermosa Star in the All Stars Pacers FFA.
Saturday 4 March 2400mMS : first round heats
Heat One – MARKOVINA, tr/dr Brian Gath, 3:06.5/2:05.0; Gallagher (dr Ted Demmler) 2nd; Nixon Adios (dr Fred Kersley jnr) 3rd
Heat Two – SOLE COMMAND, tr Roy Purdon/dr Tommy Knowles, 3:01.9/2:02.0; Apre Ski (dr Brian Gath 2nd; Tan Heel (dr Ken Rickard) 3rd
Heat Three – HERMOSA STAR, tr Vern Norrgard/dr Peter Norrgard, 3:01.9/2:02.0; Captain Harcourt (dr Tommy Knowles) 2nd; Royal Gaze (dr Ken Pocock) 3rd
A crowd of 22,370 attended the first qualifying heat going the way of Markovina (4/1), drawing four, restrained and reasonably handy midfield on the outer before recording his twenty eighth win by half a neck from fellow Victorian Gallagher who attempted to lead all the way. West Australian favourite Nixon Adios (5/2) was third shading Paleface Adios who encountered a chequered run. Markovina ran the last half in 58.7 while Paleface Adios drawn eight on the second line, was still last at the 200m then flashing home late wide out.
Current Cups king in NZ Sole Command (8/1) started from barrier ten with Tommy Knowles biding his time on the outer back in the field while Don’t Retreat forced a torrid pace in an abortive attempt to wrest the lead from On Credit (VIC). Sole Command made a sustained run around the field through the back straight the final time hitting the front when straightening up for home to score by two metres from Apre Ski (VIC). Tan Heel finished on into third place 3m back with Don’t Retreat (1/2 fav) a disappointing fourth. Sole Command’s overall time of 3:01.9 established a new track and Australasian record for 2400m, last half in 58.9, advancing to second favouritism (7/1) for the Grand Final.
Last start Moonee Valley winner Hermosa Star (12/1) won the night’s final heat equalling Sole Command’s earlier record of 3:01.9 after being given a good trail. Leading into the home straight holding off a determined late bid by New Zealander Captain Harcourt who started from nine, settling well back before threading an inside route home finishing in second place. Royal Gaze was a close third 2m back with a similar margin to 9/10 favourite Pure Steel who had been restrained well back in the field and second last at the 300m. Owner Russell Roberts and trainer/driver Phil Coulson were questioned by stewards regarding Coulson’s handling of Pure Steel. Coulson’s explanation of tactics (fast early pace deterred moving around field until late in the race) and Roberts heavy support of his horse satisfied stewards although Coulson was required to explain in advance what his second night driving tactics would be.
Wednesday 8 March 1 mile MS : second round heats
Heat Four – DON’T RETREAT, tr/dr Laurie Moulds, 1:59.9; Wee Win (dr Wes Butt) 2nd; Dimante Hanover (Henry McDermott) 3rd
Heat Five – ROYAL GAZE, tr/dr Ken Pocock, 1:59.4; Velvet Prince (dr Fred Kersley jnr) 2nd; Junction Road (dr Len Treasure) 3rd
Heat Six – SOLE COMMAND, tr Roy Purdon/dr Tommy Knowles, 1:59.6; Tan Heel (dr Ken Rickard) 2nd; Paleface Adios (dr Colin Pike) 3rd
Don’t Retreat led all the way in the opening heat on the second night of the series defeating New Zealander Wee Win and Dimante Hanover in a half head and head finish. Wee Win was unable to get clear in time while Dimante Hanover finished on from eighth at the bell. Abidair (VIC) and Hermosa Star dead heated for fourth followed by Regal Light. Don’t Retreat’s was the slowest heat but he recorded the quickest 800m of 57.7 in his fifty fourth victory.
Royal Gaze (now 16/1 for final) upset a betting plunge on West Australian Velvet Prince when winning the second heat by a half head. Royal Gaze had a good run all the way while Velvet Prince came second closing fast from ninth at the bell. Junction Road (NSW) was nine metres adrift followed by Lincoln Star (VIC) and Markovina, a moderate fifth after starting form barrier eight. Joint favourite with Markovina, Captain Harcourt faded to beat one home.
Sole Command (now 7/2 for final) continued on his winning way after sitting parked outside Paleface Adios who set a fast pace which meant the final quarter was a test of stamina. With a last half in 58.5, Tan Heel (VIC) who trailed all the way was a metre in arrears followed by Paleface Adios a neck back after his nearside tyre was flattened when clipped early in the race. Koala King (NSW) was a half-length back fourth just ahead of Pure Steel who eased to 3/1 for the Grand Final.
Saturday 11 March 3300mMS : third round heats
Heat Seven – PALEFACE ADIOS, tr/dr Colin Pike, 4:12.7/2:03.3; Nixon Adios (dr Fred Kersley jnr) 2nd; Hermosa Star (dr Peter Norrgard) 3rd
Heat Eight – DIAMANTE HANOVER, tr Tom Hutchings/dr Henry McDermott, 4:14.3/2:04.1; Michael Frost (dr Joe Isley) 2nd; Abidair (dr Kerry Clarke) 3rd
Heat Nine – MARKOVINA, tr/dr Brian Gath, 4:17.6/2:05.7; Koala King (dr Kevin Robinson) 2nd; Velvet Prince (dr Fred Kersley jnr) 3rd
Paleface Adios struck form on the third night winning after being midfield on the fence until the final bend, flying home to win by six metres from Nixon Adios (seventh at bell) and Hermosa Star a half head back. Hermosa Star had set a hot pace leading to Paleface Adios easily recording the nights fastest 3300m time. Captain Harcourt broke down at the 600m (off foreleg) finishing second last with Regal Light last.
Dimante Hanover last with a lap to run finishing brilliantly for Henry McDermott standing in for indisposed owner/trainer Tom Hutchings scored by six metres from Michael Frost, three metres to Abidair and four metres to Gallagher. Royal Gaze appeared to pull up lame after finishing in a tangle in seventh place. While Sole Command beat one home finishing eighth after pulling hard and only stopping once into the straight, he retained favouritism for the Grand Final.
Markovina after sitting in the one one was full of running taking out the final heat by eight metres from Koala King with two metres to Velvet Prince third, followed by Tan Heel, Pure Steel fifth and Don’t Retreat ninth, with the latter two appearing to pull up lame. Surprisingly Pure Steel the pre post favourite for the Grand Final failed to make the field after a fourth and two fifths resulting in insufficient points. Wee Win finished sixth in the final heat.
After the nine heats had been completed, only one favourite had achieved a win (the consolation was to be won by the favourite but not the Grand Final). Leading points scorer in the thirty seventh ID pacing series was Markovina (SA) with twenty eight; Paleface Adios (NSW) 26, Hermosa Star (NSW) 25½, Sole Command (NZ) 25, Tan Heel (VIC) 24, Royal Gaze (VIC) 23, Junction Road (NSW), Velvet Prince (WA) 21, Dimante Hanover (NSW), Don’t Retreat (NSW) 20, with emergencies Michael Frost (NSW) 1st emer, Koala King (NSW) 2nd emer 19. Half the Grand Final field represented New South Wales (plus both emergencies who did not start in the final).
Sole Command started 5/2 favourite before a crowd of 34,121, Markovina (3/1), Paleface Adios (4/1), Dimante Hanover (6/1), Tan Heel (9/1), Velvet Prince (10/1), Don’t Retreat 912/1), Royal Gaze (14/1), Hermosa Star (25/1) and Junction Road (30/1).
Saturday 18 March– PACERS GRAND FINAL, 2900mMS, $105,000 ($57,500, $15,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $2,000 6th – 10th, $5,000 horse with most points in heats and final), inscribed rug, sash and $1,500 gold cup
MARKOVINA (1971 Mark Lobell/Wainoni Command entire, family of N120 Fannywood, owners Colin and Mrs D Croft, Roley and Mrs S Nunn, Brian and Mrs J Munn, trainer/driver Brian Gath, 3:45.6/2:05.2, 2m, 2m, 3/1 [1:59.0, $246,678]
Hermosa Star (25/1), tr Vern Norrgard/dr Peter Norrgard, 2nd
Velvet Prince (10/1), tr/dr Fred Kersley jnr, 3rd
(also in finishing order) : Diamante Hanover, Royal Gaze, Sole Command, Paleface Adios, Tan Heel, Junction Road, Don’t Retreat
Six year old entire Markovina ended up book ending the heats (one and nine) before carrying off the Melbourne Pacers Grand Final. He was an interesting mix being NZ bred, NSW imported and South Australian owned. Tan Heel led out early before Junction Road took control after which Tan Heel worked into the one one as Don’t Retreat took up the trail. The pace wasn’t torrid which didn’t suit Sole Command who had been allowed to drift back in the field from his number two position carting Paleface Adios back from his second row draw and allowing Markovina to settle in a good spot. Markovina sat four back on the outer in sixth position until Tommy Knowles moved on Sole Command at which time Brian Gath took off forcing the New Zealander four wide at the 800m.
Tan Heel then attempted to force Markovina wide but the South Australian sprinted around him going down the back the final occasion to be three wide at the home turn before grabbing the lead. Markovina mastered leader Junction Road and Velvet Prince going onto beat the unlucky Hermosa Star who had pulled hard three back on the rails before flashing home to edge Velvet Prince out of the runner up position. Velvet Prince had raced in the death throughout with Dimante Hanover ninth on the rails for most of the race finishing fast late for fourth a head back, a head in front of Royal Gaze with a length to Sole Command. Paleface Adios contesting his third Grand Final suffered severe interference on the home turn and never threatened.
It appeared that Markovina may have taken Hermosa Star’s ground slightly and the horse had also faltered for a split second when Gath flourished his whip. Hermosa Star’s driver Peter Norrgard lodged a protest, only the second in ID history but this was dismissed by stewards although Gath was reprimanded for allowing Markovina to drift in the run home. Markovina recorded a time .6 second (2:05.2) outside Pure Steel and High Advice’s track record 2:04.6 set in 1977; last 1600m in 2:04, 800m in 59.3 and 400m in 29.9. Victory was Markovina’s thirtieth from seventy two starts – 73 : 30-10-5, $197,988.
Consolation : 2900mMs, $7,500 ($5,250, $1,125, $750, $375), inscribed sash
PURE STEEL, dr Ted Demmler, 3:50.3/2:07.8; Michael Frost (dr Joe Isley) 2nd; Nixon Adios (dr Fred Kersley jnr) 3rd
Pure Steel commenced the carnival as outright favourite for the Grand Final but failed to make the field instead convincingly winning the Consolation in a moderate 3:50.3. Later in March, Pure Steel went onto win the Miracle Mile at Harold Park, Sydney – one of many major race wins for this champion pacer although the Interdominions proved one step too far in 1978 and throughout his career (five heats and consolation win; second, third and fourth in finals).
Markovina’s breeders were Christchurch veterinarian Bob Mackay and Russley Lodge Studmaster Bill Denton who was offered a half share at no cost by Mackay. Markovina was by unraced North American stallion Mark Lobell (Overtrick/Milmite by Volomite), who stood at Doug Grantham’s Lobell Lodge, Clevedon (imported by Mackay and Grantham). A very successful sire who left amongst his progeny NZ Oaks winner Ruling Lobell, NZSS – 3 National Glory, WA Derby winner Via Vista together with broodmare sire credits Cool Hand Luke, Laud, Megaera, Reba Lord, Rostriever Hanover, The Bru Czar and Young Rufus.
Markovina’s dam an unraced mare by that season’s leading NZ sire Scottish Command named Wainoni Command. Scottish Command was also sire of NZ’s only Grand Finalist Sole Command. Wainoni Command was attended to by Mackay when foaling at Roydon Lodge and by him when her bad legs were operated on. Markovina was Wainoni Command’s first foal, others of note included SA Derby heat winner Moelfre Boy and unraced Alice Markova, grand dam of Russian Road, NZ Championship – 2; third dam of WA Pearl/Golden Slipper winner Jack Mac, NZSS -2/NZ Championship 2 winner Marika and fourth dam of Our Els Dream 1:51.1US. Unraced Wainoni Command was from good race mare Wainoni Loyal (fourth dam of Silk Brocade, Queen Of Hearts, Premier Mares Championship, NSW Ladyship Mile) by Grattan Loyal – Jacklette, by Jack Potts – Atralette, by Man O’War – Belette, by Prince Imperial – Fannywood, daughter of early American import to New Zealand in 1882 Blackwood Abdallah.
Markovina’s trainer/driver was thirty three year old Brian Gath (ID Pacing Final seconds with Franco Tiger 1992, Shakamaker 2002), son of famous Victorian horseman George Gath. Gath nursed Markovina back to peak fitness after severe hoof problems that derailed his Albion Park, Brisbane ID’s a year earlier and had troubled him during the previous month’s Hunter Cup.
Leased by Irvin Behrns who raced him on three unfruitful occasions as a two year old at Rotorua, Claudelands and Alexandra Park before being sold to NSW wheeler-dealer Eddie Sims. Sims moved Markovina on at good profit to Lona Padden and her husband, taking in as partners Mr and Mrs Colin Croft (owner of Sokyola and Uncle Petrika), Mr and Mrs Roley Nunn and Mr and Mrs Brian Munn. Lona Padden became the first woman to train an Interdominion Grand Finalist when Markovina (aged four) made the field at the 1976 Globe Derby, Adelaide carnival where he finished last driven by Brian Gath’s brother Neville when Brian was overseas representing Australia in the 1976 World Drivers Championships.
Markovina was sent to Brain Gath’s Victorian stables shortly after the 1976 ID’s with the Paddon’s share being purchased by the other three husband and wife partners. Markovina won the inaugural Australian Pacing Championship (heat and final) in 1976 at Harold Park. Making the field for the 1977 ID Grand Final in Brisbane he had to be scratched due to a hoof ailment while again making the final at Addington, Christchurch in 1979 finishing ninth after winning a heat with Kevin Newman as his trainer/driver.
Aside from ID heats (three)/Grand Final victory, his major wins included Australian Pacing Championship, Moonee Valley Cup, SA Champagne Stakes – 4, Lord Mayors Cup, GTV9/Yooralla Cup with his final victory in his last start in the Invitation FFA at Harold Park on 4 January 1980 with Brian Gath driving. Markovina retired with earnings of $246,678 ($6,500 in NZ).
Peter Craig
30 November 2022
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