Queensland’s Inter Dominion legacy – Champions of the Sunshine State

Queensland’s Inter Dominion Legacy: Champions of the Sunshine State

With the 2025 Inter Dominion just over a week away, all eyes are on two standout contenders—last year’s champion Don Hugo (Art Major) and 2023 winner Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight)—who currently dominate the betting markets.

As anticipation builds, we take a trip down memory lane to celebrate past pacing champions crowned in Queensland, where the Inter Dominion has been held seven times: six times at Albion Park and once at the Gold Coast.

1972 – Welcome Advice

Queensland hosted its first Inter Dominion in 1972 at the clockwise Albion Park circuit. That year’s champion, Welcome Advice, a black entire from Junee, NSW, came off a 12-yard handicap to reel in the leader Monaro and win decisively, with Victorian flyer Reichman finishing third.

After an eighth-place finish on opening night, Welcome Advice bounced back to win both remaining heats. Trained by George Harpley and driven by Alan Harpley, the five-year-old went on to become the first Australian horse to earn $100,000 in domestic prizemoney. He ended that season as NSW Horse of the Year, with 13 wins from 22 starts.

At stud, he sired Action Advice, winner of the 1979 Queensland Sapling Stakes and 1980 NSW Derby.

1977 – Stanley Rio

The Inter Dominion returned to Albion Park in 1977, where Stanley Rio—bred in Tasmania but trained in New Zealand—claimed the crown. Bred by Stan and Fred Barker, Stanley Rio was later purchased by bloodstock agents Bob and John McArdle, who sold him to Wayne Francis and John Noble. A third share was offered to George Noble.

In a poetic twist, Stan Barker’s daughter, Kay Rainbird, was in attendance to see Stanley Rio’s triumph. The 1977 final featured a powerhouse field including Trusty Scot, Sole Command, Pure Steel, Paleface Adios, and Don’t Retreat.

Driven perfectly by John Noble, Stanley Rio sat behind the leader and pounced in the straight when Pure Steel faded, sealing the win.

Stanley Rio beat Master Finlay and Sporting Son in the Final.

1986 – Village Kid

Affectionately known as “Willie,” Village Kid stole the show when the Inters returned to Albion Park in 1986. The New Zealand-bred gelding, trained in Western Australia by butcher-turned-horseman Bill Horn, was a crowd favourite and delivered a clean sweep—three heat wins followed by a dominant Grand Final victory.

Driven by Chris Lewis, Village Kid smashed the track record, running 1:55.6 for 2100 metres and defeating Vanderport and Line On.

Village Kid contested five Inter Dominions, reached four finals, and shares the record for most heat wins (8) with Paleface Adios. The 1986 win was sweet revenge after his runner-up finish the previous year behind Preux Chevalier.

1993 – Jack Morris

The 1993 Inter Dominion saw another Kiwi-bred star shine at Albion Park—Jack Morris, trained by Sean Harney and owned by Peter Volk.

After relocating to Western Australia, Jack Morris won his first heat over Warrior Khan, ran second to Franco Tiger on night two, and sealed favouritism with a third-night win over Rustic Lad and Christopher Vance.

He was crowned Australian Pacer of the Year in both 1993 and 1994, and Australian Harness Horse of the Year in 1993.

Jack Morris took out the 1993 Final over Warrior Khan and New Zealand champion mare Blossom Lady.

2001 – Yulestar

Yulestar, the gritty Kiwi gelding, claimed the 2001 Inter Dominion at Albion Park in a fairytale story for trainer Lorraine Nolan and husband Ron, who bought him for just $9,000 as a weanling.

Born on Christmas Day, Yulestar was named accordingly but proved a handful in training—often throwing Lorraine from the sulky.

Despite not winning a heat and drawing poorly in the final (inside back row), Yulestar delivered at 16/1 odds, claiming the title in memorable fashion. That same year, New Zealand also took out the Trotters Final.

From 2003 to 2006 Yulestar raced in the United States and Canada, winning 13 races, trained by former New Zealander Brett Pelling. 

Yulestar beat Atitagain and Pocket Me in the Inters Final

2009 – Mr Feelgood (Gold Coast)

In 2009, Queensland’s Inter Dominion was moved to the Gold Coast, where American import Mr Feelgood—a former Little Brown Jug winner—etched his name into local legend.

Purchased by Kevin Seymour, Peter O’Shea, and Clinton Payne, Mr Feelgood quickly acclimatised, winning the A.G. Hunter Cup and placing in the Ballarat and Shepparton Cups en route to the series.

After a third and fifth in the heats, driver Anthony Butt gave him the perfect run in the final. He surged up the sprint lane to beat champion Blacks A Fake by a half-neck in 1:56.6, with Karloo Mick in third.

2023 – Leap To Fame

In 2023, Leap To Fame brought the Inter Dominion title back to Brisbane in a moment of raw emotion and redemption. Trained and driven by Grant Dixon, the local superstar delivered a breathtaking performance in front of a hometown crowd.

Owner Kevin Seymour, overwhelmed by the moment, described it as the culmination of five decades in the sport alongside his wife, Kay.

“We’ve won plenty, including the Gold Coast Inters with Mr Feelgood,” he said, “but this is on a whole different level.”

Leap To Fame defeated Better Eclipse and Swayzee in the final

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 series nears, Queensland once again stands ready to witness history. Whether Don Hugo can defend his crown, or Leap To Fame reclaims glory, or maybe a boilover occurs the Inter Dominion continues its rich legacy in the Sunshine State.

This year the first heat of the Interdominion Series will be held on Saturday 5th July, the second on Saturday 12th July and the Grand Final will run on Saturday 19th July.

by Gary Newton