1989 Perth Interdominion packed with drama

Going into the 1989 Interdominion series in Perth, legendary harness racing trainer Bob Knight had four runners; Sinbad Bay, Our Maestro, Sir Reilly and Jodie’s Babe – and he rated their chances in that order.  

But how things can change. 

Sinbad Bay dominated his rivals in the first round of heats but the next day he became the first casualty of the Series after damaging a tendon. 

The drama continued for Knight when Our Maestro, after a fast finishing fifth to Village Kid in the first round of heats, finished a distressing seventh in the second round. 

He was extremely dehydrated and exhausted after racing in the 40 degree heat and he looked to have a forlorn chance of making the final. 

“He’s just not right. The combination of two runs in three days and the heat has knocked the stuffing out of him,” driver Vin Knight told the Press. 

Meanwhile stablemate Jodie’s Babe showed plenty of grit to hold out Luxury Liner in her heat, winning by half a head. 

Knight caused another stir when he declared Our Maestro a starter in the last round of heats. He had to win to qualify for the final, which he duly did.  

With all the heats done and dusted, the final field of ten was announced. Village Kid, Our Maestro, Riverlea Jack, Jodie’s Babe, Luxury Liner, Paavo, My Current Account, Kylie’s Hero, Nickalong Shadow and Rowleyalla. 

The only unresolved matter was which horse Vin Knight would drive. 

“Under normal circumstances I would naturally be driving Our Maestro. But he’s not right and the mare (Jodie’s Babe) is flying.” 

Knight was leaving no stone unturned and flew muscle man John Harland over to work on Our Maestro. The gelding was cleared to run. Knight, having driven the stablemates in work, opted to drive Our Maestro in the $420,000 final. 

The stable elected to put twenty year old stable foreman Scott Stewart on Jodie’s Babe. 

At the start of the 2500 metre final, Village Kid, Our Maestro and Jodie’s Babe all pressed forward. Our Maestro took the lead, Village Kid sat parked and Jodie’s Babe got the perfect sit behind her stablemate.  

The race was a procession, until things amped up inside the last 400 metres with Our Maestro shooting clear and on the home turn the gelding had a commanding lead. 

But inside the last 100 Our Maestro began to labour and in a driving finish, Jodie’s Babe got up to win by a neck with a head back to New Zealand pacer Kylie’s Hero. 

Jodie’s Babe was the first mare since Richmond Lass which won in 1969, to win the final. Stella Frost was promoted to first in 1971 when Junior’s Image returned a positive swab. 

After the win the owners of Jodie’s Babe put on an act in the birdcage that was described as resembling the ‘Superstars of Wrestling’.  

The three woman jostled, squabbled and traded insults, which lead to the Club and Stewards holding an inquiry into the incident. 

The Series was also notable for the 14 day suspension of local reinsmen Garry Lilleyman and Gavin Lang.  

Certainly the 1989 series at Gloucester Park was noted for its drama. 

Let’s hope it’s a bit more plain sailing on Saturday night, but we know there are always twists and turns at the Interdominions. 

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink