Let the battles begin: ID 25 fields drop tonight

The final shape of the 2025 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion series will be revealed later today, with acceptances closing this morning and fields for heats in the trotters and pacers championship heats released at 6pm tonight (June 30).

With record-breaking prize money on offer, Queensland is buzzing with an influx over the weekend of some of the best pacers and trotters from both sides of the Tasman.

It’s all part of the rich Constellations Carnival, with final night (July 19) stakes exceeding $2 million and featuring five Group 1 races, including the Inter Dominion Finals, Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks, and The Golden Girl.

The Inter Dominion rankings for the top 36 pacers were affected by a flurry of recent withdrawals – notably Captain Ravishing, District Attorney, Jilliby Nitro, and The Janitor.

The withdrawals led to several key movements lower down the list including Kiwi contenders Pinseeker (up to 15) and Beach Ball (now inside the top 24).

Last year’s winner Don Hugo (NSW) and Qld superstar Leap To Fame are both chasing second ID titles, and are joined at the head of the final rankings by fellow Group 1 winners Catch A Wave (Vic) and Jorge Street (Tas).

The final rankings list the top 10 pacers as:

1. Don Hugo (NSW)
2. Leap To Fame (QLD)
3. Catch A Wave (VIC)
4. Jorge Street (TAS)
5. Max Delight (VIC)
6. Better Eclipse (VIC)
7. Captains Knock (NSW)
8. Wisper A Secret (QLD)
9. Speak The Truth (QLD)
10. Jimartee (QLD)

Connections of those ranked just outside the top 36 – such as Major Hot (NSW), Chynchilla (Qld), and Dougs Platter (NSW) – now rely on further withdrawals ahead of final acceptances.

See the full final rankings here:

In the trotting championship, the biggest movers in the final rankings were Zealous Spur (Qld) (surging into the top 10 after a dominant win over Oscar Bonavena (ranked 4) at Albion Park on Saturday night) and Taylad To Use (up to 21). Eurokash (NZ) and Hide And Seek (Qld) are now safely inside the top 24.

Victorian ranks have been decimated, most recently with the expected withdrawal of the Great Southern Star winning trotter Callmethebreeze, who was stood down for 28 days after performing poorly when he returned from a long spell at Melton on Saturday night.

Other high-profile Victorians withdrawn from the series include Aldebaran Zeus, Mufasa Metro and Keayang Stuka.

But the southern brigade still has a strong hand, with Watts Up Partytime, Arcee Phoenix, Harry Stamper, Aldebaran Acrux and Parisian Artiste all strong contenders.

The final rankings list the top 10 trotters as:

1. Callmethebreeze (Vic)
2. Watts Up Partytime (VIC)
3. Bet N Win NZ
4. Oscar Bonavena NZ
5. Arcee Phoenix (VIC)
6. London To A Brick (NSW)
7. Harry Stamper NZ (VIC)
8. Gus NZ (QLD)
9. Zealous Spur NZ (QLD)
10. Golden Sunset (QLD)

See the full final rankings here:

Following a successful debut last year, Sky Thoroughbred Central will deliver showcase coverage of the Inter Dominion Championships with dedicated live coverage of each week of Constellations carnival.

The Redcliffe Gold Cup meeting last Saturday night (June 28) kicked off the dedicated harness racing coverage, with broadcasts beginning around 5.15pm each Saturday.

Coverage with be anchored by STC hosts Jason Witham, Ben Way, and Ally Mosely who will be joined by former Queenslander Brittany Graham (Trackside NZ), Greg O’Connor, Ryan Phelan, and Brandon Kreymborg.

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink