The Inter Dominion was the brain child of Western Australian Trotting Association Chairman Mr. J P Stratton, with the first series held at Gloucester Park, Perth.
The host of the series is rotated between the six harness racing states of Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The rotation of the Championships is fixed annually at a meeting of the council. It is fixed five years in advance. It is held in New Zealand once in each four years.[1]
The traditional format is a series of heats held over a two-week period, with the final held in a third. Competitors earn points based on their finishing order in each heat, the 14 horses that accrue the most points over the series go into the Grand Final.
The winner is determined by the finishing order in the Grand Final. There is also a Consolation race.
The scheduling of the distances is usually at the discretion of the host club. The usual distance is a longer distance in excess of 2400 metres.
Blacks A Fake made history in 2010, by becoming the only horse to win four Inter Dominion races.[2]
In 1971 Juniors Image was first past the post but was disqualified for a positive swab test.
In 2011 Smoken Up was first past the post but was disqualified for a positive drugs test. A court challenge to the disqualification was not successful.[4][5]
In 2021 Expensive Ego was first past the post, however was relegated to second placing after causing interference to runner-up Boncel Benjamin.[6]
2024 Inter Dominion (New South Wales)
The 2024 Inter Dominion started on 29 November 2024 at Newcastle. There were 3 rounds scheduled:
Round 1 with 3 heats for pacers and 2 heats for trotters, all over 2030m from a mobile start.
Round 2 on Wednesday 4 December 2024 at Bathurst, all heats over 1730m.
Round 3 on Saturday 7 December 2024 at Tabcorp Park, Menangle, all heats over 2300m.
The Grand Finals were scheduled for Saturday 14 December at Tabcorp Park, Menangle and raced over 2300m.[7]
The 2023 Inter Dominion started on 1 December 2023 at Albion Park, the venue for the whole series which is a 1019m left-handed all weather track. There were 3 rounds scheduled:
Round 1 with 4 heats for pacers (9 starters maximum per heat) and 3 heats for trotters (12 starters maximum per heat), all over 1660m from a mobile start.[15][16]
Round 2 with 3 heats is raced on Tuesday 5 December over 2138m.[17]
Round 3 with 3 heats on Saturday 9 December over 2680m.[18]
The Grand finals were raced over 2680m on Saturday 16 December.[19][20]
Two of the leading contenders Leap To Fame and Swayzee were full siblings, by Rock and Roll heaven (USA) out of Lettucereason (Art Major, USA). Both were bred by Redbank Lodge Standardbreds.
The grand final was won by Leap To Fame (trained and driven by Grant Dixon) from Better Eclipse (Jess Tubbs & Greg Sugars) and Swayzee (Jason Grimson & Cameron Hart) third.[21][22] The pacers consolation race was won by Cantfindabettorman, trained by Belinda McCarthy and driven by Luke McCarthy, from Blacksadance (Chantal Turpin/Pete McMullen) and Targaryen (Jack Butler/Chloe Butler).[23]
The 2022 Inter Dominion started on 26 November 2022 at Ballarat with 3 heats each for pacers and trotters, all run over 2200m.[32] The second night, Tuesday 29 November, is at Shepparton and the heats are 1690m. The third night, 3 December, is at Geelong and the races are 2570m. On 10 December the finals are held at Melton and each race is run over 2760m.[33]
The points awarded during the heats are: 1st (16 points), 2nd (13), 3rd (11), 4th (9), 5th (8), 6th (7), 7th (6), 8th (5), 9th (4), 10th (3), 11th (2) and 12th (1).
The stake for the Pacing heats was $30,000 while the Consolation race is $50,000 and the Grand Final $500,000.
There was no Inter Dominion in 2020. The 2021 Inter Dominions were held from Saturday 27 November 2021 to 11 December 2021. The first round of heats and the finals were held at Menangle Park Paceway while the second and third rounds of heats were at Bathurst and Newcastle respectively.
Due to COVID-19 a significant number of horses, particularly from New Zealand, were unable to compete.
Expensive Ego was first past the post but Boncel Benjamin was promoted to first.[39][40]
Horses that were in the final rankings but did not compete included:
5 - Father Bob - Mark Fletcher, NSW
7 - Ride High - Clayton Tonkin, Vic
9 - Out To Play - Emma Stewart, Vic
14 - San Carlo - S J Donoghue & R K Bartley, Vic
16 - Code Bailey NZ - Margaret Lee, Vic
19 - Colt Thirty One - Grant Dixon, Qld
25 - Zeuss Bromac NZ - Paul Fitzpatrick, NSW
30 - Perfect Stride NZ - Russell Jack, Vic
31 - Jilliby Chevy - Margaret Lee, Vic
33 - Mister Brazil - Adam Ruggari, NSW
34 - Blacksadance - Chantal Turpin, Qld
2019 Inter Dominion (Auckland)
The 2019 Inter Dominions were held in Auckland, New Zealand, hosted by the Auckland Trotting Club at the Alexandra Park track from Friday 29 November 2019 to 15 December 2019.[43]
Spankem who was one of the favourite contenders for the Interdoms was withdrawn due to a fetlock injury diagnosed following Christchurch cupweek.[44]
Heats 1 and 2 on Friday 29 November were raced over 2200m with a mobile start and Free-for-all conditions.
Heat 1 was won by Ultimate Sniper (Natalie Rasmussen, $2.50) from Chase Auckland (Tim Williams) and Mach Shard (Zachary Butcher) in 2:35.4 (mile rate 1:53.6).
Heat 2 was carried out by A G's White Socks (Maurice McKendry MNZM, $29.60) from Cruz Bromac (Mark Purdon) and Thefixer (Natalie Rasmussen) in 2:36.1 (mile rate 1:54.2).
Heat 3 and 4 on Tuesday 3 December were raced over 1700m.
Heat 3 was won by A G's White Socks (Maurice McKendry, $6.40) from Chase Auckland (Tim Williams) and My Kiwi Mate (Craig Demmler) in 1:59.17 (mile rate 1:52.7).
Heat 4 was won by Ultimate Sniper (Natalie Rasmussen, $2.80) from Cruz Bromac (Mark Purdon) and Mach Shard (Zac Butcher) in 1:59.01 (mile rate 1:52.6).
Heat 5 and 6 on Friday 6 December were raced over 2700m.
Heat 5 was won by Ultimate Sniper (Natalie Rasmussen, $1.50) from Chase Auckland (Tim Williams) and Colt Thirty One (Grant Dixon) in 3:16.11 (mile rate 1:56.8).
Heat 6 was won by Cruz Bromac (Mark Purdon, $2.70) from Thefixer (Natalie Rasmussen) and Triple Eight (David Butcher) in 3:16.7 (mile rate 1:57.2).
The Grand final (2700m) was raced on 14 December and won by Ultimate Sniper (Natalie Rasmussen) in 3:14.7 (1:56.0) from Mach Shard (Zac Butcher) and Thefixer (Blair Orange). The 4 year old Ultimate Sniper went through the series undefeated.
The horse Triple Eight was number 8 in the final, drawn 8 and was placed 8th.
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