Victorian trotter all set to go for a fourth Inter Dominion campaign

The road to another Inter Dominion harness racing campaign has been confirmed for classy Victorian trotter Parisian Artiste (Love You).

The talented eight-year-old took another important step in his return to racing with a close third in a strong Shepparton trial on Thursday night – and trainer Alex Ashwood has declared he will line up for his fourth Inter Dominion campaign next month.

“It was a good trial – and he’s pulled up extremely well, so all roads lead to Queensland,” Ashwood, of Toolleen, near Bendigo, said.

“He’ll head off sometime early this week.”

Parisian Artiste, who won the Gr 1 VicBred Super Series of his 3YO season, has previously qualified for the Inter Dominion final on three occasions, first in Victoria as a four-year-old in 2022, then in NSW in 2024 and last year in Brisbane.

He was one of the stories of last year’s championship, with Ashwood’s partner Tayla French returning to the sulky for the campaign just a couple of months after giving birth to the couple’s son Levi.

The pair scored a brilliant all-the-way victory in a heat after opening the series with a courageous third placing.  They eventually finished fifth behind champion Arcee Phoenix in the Grand Final, in a campaign that established Parisian Artiste among the country’s elite square gaiters.

Ashwood is confident the pair will put their best foot forward during this Queensland Constellations carnival.

Like last year, the stable will again be based at Albion Park.

“Same as last year, they will be stabled at the track – we were really pleased with the set-up there, so we’re happy to be going there again,” Ashwood said.

But it won’t just be Parisian Artiste making the journey.  Ashwood and French have a small travelling team, with NZ pacer Miki B, who ran third in the Gr 3 4YO Bonanza at Melton earlier in the year, heading the support lineup.

“Miki B will target the four-year-old features up there. He’s a funny horse – he seems to go better against quality horses than his own class,” Ashwood said.

Also making the trip north will be Lilstrepo (10 wins), Williams (six wins) and an unraced three-year-old trotter, Ripping Ronaldo, by Classic Connection.

“Tayla and I bought him from the yearling sales. He hasn’t even raced, but he has a QBred bonus on him,” Ashwood said.

The Queensland campaign is very much a family affair for the stable.

“Parisian Artiste, Tayla and our little fella (Levi) are all going – they don’t miss a carnival!” Ashwood laughed.

“Tayla’s parents Kym and Terry bought a campervan and they all left early last week – they were going no matter what!”

While French will spearhead the carnival assault, Ashwood will continue to juggle life at home with a busy training operation.

“I will be up there at some point, but we have 29 in work and it’s usually just Tayla and I,” he said.

“We have a bit of help with Kelly, who does the boxes and waters, and her son, but generally it’s just the two of us.”

Inter Dominion Championship heats begin at Albion Park on Saturday July 4.

 

by Terry Gange for Harnesslink