Reflections on a successful Inter Dominion

At last Saturday night’s Inter Dominion Final at Albion Park something unusual happened that we have rarely witnessed. The meeting was packed to the rafters as a capacity crowd was inside enjoying the build up to the big races.

It shows beyond doubt that when you have good horses competing that the public will turn up. The Inter Dominion was a culmination of racing events staged at Albion Park and Redcliffe from early June and the Albion Park Harness Racing Club could not have been more delighted with how the meeting turned out.

And what a meeting it was. It had everything for the patrons, exciting racing, outstanding performances and yes even some hard luck stories which is all part and parcel of racing.

There was plenty of spirited debate about allowing Captains Mistress and Jilliby Dreamlover being able to take their place in the Inter Dominion Pacing and Trotting Championships Finals respectively but there’s no doubt that the presence of Captains Mistress proved to be a master stroke in setting up her clash with Leap To Fame.

There was a buzz throughout the whole night even after the epic Pacing Final with competitive racing throughout the entire card.

The five Group 1 events brought together the finest pacers and trotters on the Eastern seaboard and even though New Zealand was not represented it says something about its powerhouse as a breeding centre with four of the five Group 1 winners being bred in the Shaky Isles. The one exception was Eye Keep Smiling who prevailed in the Golden Girl for mares.

It was also fitting that the three owners of the Group 1 events namely Mick Boots, Mick Harvey and Jackie Gibson have invested a huge amount of their time and investment in the sport which they are unquestionably committed to.

Mick Boots is recognised as the nation’s leading owner with over 150 horses in work in all states of Australia. Yet this modest and unassuming man maintained a lowkey profile on the big night despite winning the Derby with Palladium and Inter Dominion with Captains Mistress. After the awful mishap that befell Hollywood Strip and prevent him from running in the Derby it was only fitting that Boot’s second string Palladium win the coveted classic after having to race outside the leader.

Mick Harvey is no stranger to success as he has poured significant amounts of his own resources into purchasing some royally bred horses. The win of Ripples would have meant a great deal to Harvey as he bred the New Zealand filly and this Bettors Delight filly seems to go from strength to strength.

Jackie Gibson with her Success Stud has had a 55 year involvement in harness racing and her diligence and hard work has elevated her status as one of the leading breeders in the country.

And let’s not forget the effort of Gus who flew the flag for Queensland when he won the Trotters Inter Dominion Final. The New Zealand son of Majestic Son had two starts before coming over in May 2023 to join Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen’s stables. Despite having loads of ability, Gus broke up frequently in his early days before over time he became more tractable. He’s now established himself as the State’s leading trotter and one of the best in the nation.

By now everyone will have had an opinion on that epic final where we saw Captains Mistress hold off Leap To Fame who seems to have grown in stature despite his gallant defeat.

The race was a dream for organisers as both pacers staged a gripping battle for superiority. There have been endless debates and tactics employed by drivers but the reality is that the race is over and done and we have a worthy champion in Captains Mistress. It gives driver Cameron Hart his second Inter Dominion success and trainer Jason Grimson his third in Australasia’s premier event.

The Inter Dominion carnival has now morphed into something beyond the actual series. We now have the Protostar which has only been running for two years as the most eagerly awaited two year event in the nation. Similarly the Rising Sun for the best three and four year old pacers and the Great Square for young trotters as premier races all in their own right.

Brisbane is scheduled to conduct one more Inter Dominion series next year but irrespective of what happens in the future we now have a Carnival that has captured the spotlight for harness racing and that trend of success has to continue.

It has laid the groundwork for administrators in all States to be aware of new opportunities for feature racing and the need to be bold and imaginative in going forward.

So as the curtain falls on yet another successful series we are left to remember and cherish those special moments which we all experienced over the last month.

Perhaps my most potent recollection was walking with Mick Boots after he had won the Final with Captains Mistress. I asked him what he planned to do with his wonder mare and his response was:

Naturally I want to breed with her but it’s all about making sure that what is decided is in her interests.

And that tells us all about an owner who cares more about his horses welfare than the number of races that he wins. That surely should resonate with everyone involved in harness racing.

 

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink