Interdominion 2023

[Messenger]

Just a bit over 5 weeks away and we have our first big withdrawal
Honolua Bay will be spelling - his quarter crack needs more time
(he is still ranked 2nd in the latest rankings)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/honolua-bay-to-miss-2023-inter-dominion-carnival/?fbclid=IwAR0uFnQ3OWLAzTUk5KvDWKT_eURarUEFHXMYtRcR 6HEgOpT5633msxuHyRY

(At the end of the article you will find a link to the latest rankings)

[aussiebreno]

https://thecreek.com.au/id23/rankings/

Just Believe looks to be safe favourite heading into the trotters series.

Pacers series has been decimated with scratchings headed by the Stewart stables (hey Rod!). No surprises Act Now SCR after that run last week.

The series looks very light on now.

[Messenger]

Yes, 2 heats for the Top 20 would have worked
If you're not a chance to win it - is it worth going to try and win a heat (What are the heats worth?)

[aussiebreno]

https://peterprofit.com/from-ten-to-none-in-a-single-second-why-is-emma-not-coming-to-id23-and-how-come-she-is-making-up-fairytale-excuses/

Honolua clearly not right
Act Now run the other night in Vic was putrid
4x Mares. The series barely features mares ever. The best of which is coming off 12 months off why put her through this. What is wrong with nomming and keeping options open?
Narutac only 2 starts this year
Hurricane Harley and Mach Dan previous Miracle Mile runners. Whats the difference between racing in Syd compared to Bris. Both are outside Vic.
Beyond Delight has already raced in QLD so whats the difference. That was as a travelling companion not a one out visitor. While I rate him better than his Win record, no other horse with his open age Win record is in the series either. Not sure you would travel him as a lone ranger. He was $101.

Throw in PP has said she's only had ID finalists in Vic...what the hell was Philadelphia Man racing in?

[Messenger]

With talk that Swayzee may not get up for it, both gaits probably only have about 3 chances!
Was Catch A Wave ever entered?

[aussiebreno]

With talk that Swayzee may not get up for it, both gaits probably only have about 3 chances!
Was Catch A Wave ever entered?

Wave doesn't feature on the list as SCR so guess he was never entered.

Hi Manameisjeff is racing at Menangle this week as well. Would nearly think he would have the night off heading into an ID so I wonder if he could be another not to go up?

[Messenger]

An indication of how weak the series appears to be is to look at the horse occupying last/36th ranking = Little Bliss.
She has won 2 of 33 this season
For Vic harness fans another indicator is Kosimo = ranked 33 and has won 2 of 29 this season
These two are useful 6yo earners but this is the Interdom
With only 2 states truly supporting the series, 3 heats are one heat too many

[aussiebreno]

Kanena Provlima is ranked #24. Couldn't get a start in the Menangle FFA last couple weeks.

The Miracle Mile only had 6 winning chances when hosted at Harold Park. Thats because it was limited to a 6 horse field. We have 36 horses and only 6 winning chances barring something absurd happening.

Trotters is even worse. Maybe Queen Elida, Ollivici or Mufasa Metro could win if everything goes right for them and Just Believe has everything go wrong/loses a leg in the next few weeks. Unless theres another Not As Promised Vic Derby type smokey somewhere but these horses have exposed form so I wouldn't think so.

[Messenger]

"Final acceptors for both series will be declared on Monday, November 27 with fields for the first round of heats (run at Albion Park on Friday night December 1) then released on Tuesday, November 28."

[Messenger]

The Vics have all drawn very well in the Trotters heats

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP011223

[aussiebreno]

Well this is embarrasing.

Swayzee, Leap to Fame and Just Believe will all be around $1.10.

Doo, Better Eclipse and Queen Elida will all be odds on.

Between Mufasa and Ollivici the third fave will be double digits.

[aussiebreno]

I do like the extra heat and smaller field for the mile races just decimates fields even more.

[trish]

Kanena Provlima is ranked #24. Couldn't get a start in the Menangle FFA last couple weeks.

The Miracle Mile only had 6 winning chances when hosted at Harold Park. Thats because it was limited to a 6 horse field. We have 36 horses and only 6 winning chances barring something absurd happening.

Trotters is even worse. Maybe Queen Elida, Ollivici or Mufasa Metro could win if everything goes right for them and Just Believe has everything go wrong/loses a leg in the next few weeks. Unless theres another Not As Promised Vic Derby type smokey somewhere but these horses have exposed form so I wouldn't think so.

Not a great series at all , very weak.

The Miracle Mile only had 6 winning chances when hosted at Harold Park. Thats because it was limited to a 6 horse field. We have 36 horses and only 6 winning chances barring something absurd happening.

Remember the blue light!!!
I feel that made the MM something special.
I went the year Dad had Michael Frost in & you had to push your way through the crowds. They were great days at HP.

[Messenger]

It is a real regret that I never made it to Harold Park

[Messenger]

I do like the extra heat and smaller field for the mile races just decimates fields even more.

You do or don't like Brendan?
It certainly decimates the fields even more but it would seem fairer over the mile - is that what you mean?

[aussiebreno]

You do or don't like Brendan?
It certainly decimates the fields even more but it would seem fairer over the mile - is that what you mean?

Yeah it is fairer and the right thing to do. Unfortunate consequence is the zero competition fields.

[trish]

https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=FCAU10&PC=MC02&q=1978+Mirical+Mile+at+Harold+Park

I think Dad would have got fined these day for the whip.

[Messenger]

Oh the life you have led in harness Trish

It is a pity that Harness is so cash-strapped or else those clips may have been restored to the glory they deserve

[Messenger]

10yo comeback mare and 2021 Inter winner Maori Law will follow out Just Believe in the last trotting heat
At present she is $10 and $1.26
At her nicely spaced starts after 12 months off, she has finished 8/8 and 7/8 but these were only conditioning runs
$1.26 the place - someone must think she will be much improved or they don't think much of all those others off the front row

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP011223#APM01122306

[Messenger]

It is a bit light on this year BUT I am still looking forward to it :p

[Jasper]

Can Blacksadance give Leap to Fame a scare tonight over the short distance? It holds the track record, is consistent and has drawn the front (7 unfortunately).

[gutwagon]

Have to say that I only just realized that the ID starts tonight ! Saw a comment on X about it . Poorly promoted in Vic.

[Jasper]

If it wasn’t for this Forum I don’t think I would be that aware of it either or even that interested. No real promotion in WA (that I have seen) apart from the odd radio interview ie so far.

[Messenger]

I noticed that Harness Cafe (the popular NZ forum) has had zero interest with no Inter thread even now with only 3hrs until the first heat

[Messenger]

I know it does not belong here but don't forget the Cherry Cup at Young tonight too

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=YU011223#YUC01122301

[aussiebreno]

Grimsons home town

[Messenger]

You can say it Brendan - Rock N Roll Who
Every time Michael Stanley spruiks him - he fails

[Messenger]

He can still train him but you would think the owners would be tempted to replace him as driver - he is a pretty ordinary driver - he made his move when they went 26.6

[aussiebreno]

I am not sure why you go back on the best horse in the race over a mile. It never crossed my mind that was even a possibility. Yes I said he was a sit-sprinter a couple weeks ago but that was in context of Gp1 racing not a mile race with 0 depth. The sit-sprinter Better Eclipse was happy to chair. Its a safe bet with 3 runs in a week the lead horse isnt going to run a quick first half. This isn't armchair driving stuff - Sugars literally did the real thing not in an armchair.

I will forgive the horse somewhat as that third qtr 3 wide in the wet was entitled to take it out of it as Louis found as well - but Louis run very commendable still.

[aussiebreno]

22 yrs ago was the last ID held at Albion Park.

Year before that it was in Victoria.

Yulestar, the most recent NZ Cup winner took it out.

Last years ID was again in Victoria. Most recent NZ Cup winner Swayzee may be the omen tip.

[aussiebreno]

Plymouth Chubb! Finally some excitement for the night. Havent seen Hart on many/any trotters before.

[aussiebreno]

I know it does not belong here but don't forget the Cherry Cup at Young tonight too

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=YU011223#YUC01122301

Said to Mrs as they were scoring up and Cya Art was $1.70 we should put life savings on it. Thats lucky I didnt would have had no money and no Mrs.

[aussiebreno]

Alford in QLD without a drive in Pacers heats. Would be perfect for RNR Doo

[aussiebreno]

One way to even things up in Rd2 heats is have Swayzee and Just Believe draw inside back row.

Doo in real danger of not qualifying for the final. He has drawn 7. Speak the Truth and Petes Said So have drawn well in that heat and Swayzee is also in it. Future Assured in it as well so probably the heat with most winning chances across the whole series.

Louis out to $4+ the place in final market but draws two here and should run a comfortable 2nd to LTF and accrue handy points so that $4 the place could be worth looking at.

Better Eclipse could cement his spot despite a bad draw as its potentially the weakest heat in ID history.

Vics will again dominate trotters. Elida and Ollivici have it between them. Chubb from the draw is the only conceivable chance of beating Just Believe. A few of these will get the chance to be driven quietly on night 3.

[Messenger]

Said to Mrs as they were scoring up and Cya Art was $1.70 we should put life savings on it. Thats lucky I didnt would have had no money and no Mrs.

I would have talked you out of that - I really liked Max Delight - that win was overdue

[Messenger]

Plymouth Chubb! Finally some excitement for the night. Havent seen Hart on many/any trotters before.

I don't know why but I am always a bit wary of Queen Elida, it sounds silly given her recent string of success but she is generally short and although she has won 30 races, she has lost 20 times.

[trish]

Are the barrier draws supposed to be all in or not?
Well derrrrrrrr obviously not.

[trish]

Great to see the great folk of the industry win both pacers & trotters heats, can only hope the finals are theirs as well.

[trish]

Wow what an amazing stat. Swayzee.

This Season
Summary: 16-10-0-0
Stakes: $766,183
Best Winning Mile Rate: 1:52.0

Last Season
Summary: 13-3-2-1
Stakes: $33,831
Best Winning Mile Rate: 1:53.0

[Messenger]

The amazing part is
This season 16-10-0-0
With Jason Grimson 10-10
With Tim Butt 6-0

[trish]

Yes it is.
Cab you imagine how much $$$ if he was a galloper��

[trish]

Just watched the replays , Swayzee impressive ???

[Messenger]

I noticed that Harness Cafe (the popular NZ forum) has had zero interest with no Inter thread even now with only 3hrs until the first heat

Still no Interdom thread on Harness Cafe - if they never start one, even for the final, then .......

[Showgrounds]

Still no Interdom thread on Harness Cafe - if they never start one, even for the final, then .......

Kev, I read that forum but I would never participate in it. The posters are, in the main, an insular lot and not in the slightest interested in anything that happens in Australian racing unless involves a NZ-trained, owned or bred horse.

[Messenger]

Yes Trev, I sometimes post on it and it is very NZccentric but I thought Swayzee may have grabbed their attention

[Messenger]

I don't think the horse is on his game and the barrier draws have been shockers but I think Michael Stanley has to sack himself as RNRDoo driver now surely

[aussiebreno]

I was watching others the first lap so will need to watch the replay re the drive.

That either ignites the series with Speak The Truth a genuine hope and the time suggests that, or it goes the other way and LTF is a moral.

[aussiebreno]

Great drive Chris Geary on Our Money Rocks. Judged the pace to perfection just beaten by better horses

[aussiebreno]

Would like to see Ollivici action on slow mo last 20m did he pace?

What a brave drive on Gus. Could have looked like a dill if that didnt work out.

[Messenger]

Gus and Plymouth Chubb are only 4yo's so this Open company racing is relatively new to them
Gus has only been racing 9 months

[Jasper]

Speak The Truth was only .3 of a second outside of Leap To Fame’s track record (set a few weeks ago). Both were obviously impressive last night, Nerano’s time was almost 3 seconds slower overall. His last quarter was , according to Sulky App, run in 25.64 however and he covered a lot more ground in the race.

Sulky App rates the winners performance as 1) Leap To Fame 2) Nerano 3) Speak The Truth.

[Messenger]

Grimson's draw beautifully for Saturday night

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP091223

I am still kicking myself for not backing Nerano the place on night 1. He first caught my eye when he ran a slashing 4th in a Melton Plate nearly 2yrs ago

[trish]

Just watched the replays , Swayzee impressive ???

I asked this before Tuesday's run.
Anyone??
I know he won that night but he didn’t look like the horse that won the NZ Cup to me.
Went good last night ,it will be interesting to see what he does Saturday night.
Neraro is the knockout horse, with the right run!!

[Messenger]

RNRDoo now scratched.
Brendan suggesting they did not get his program right
Trish also wondering whether Swayzee's program will tell in the end

[Jasper]

RNR Doo wasn’t examined by the vet, according to the report. I hope he is ok, he seemed to drop out exceptionally quickly for a horse of his caliber, despite the work he did in what turned out to be a fast race.

Swayzee, I suspect he will bounce back. Barrier one over 2600! Grimson’s very lucky re 2 x number 1 barriers. Not sure if that has been done before in any Inters series???

[aussiebreno]

Anyone come across an actual full list of the leaderboard before tonights heats? I've checked socials, online news articles, websites and nothing. They've got a top 15 or so listed on Racing Qld Facebook but thats the best I've seen.

[aussiebreno]

Trotters are embarrassing for our sport

[Messenger]

Tonight Queen Elida broke the Tk Record by a full second
and then Just Believe came out and lowered it another two seconds

[Messenger]

PP is definitely right in saying that Chris Barsby should not be calling the champs Larry and Harry - we are trying to reach a wide audience not just the rusted ons who would know the stable names

[Jasper]

I wonder if Swayzee draws barrier 1 in the final whether he will be driven with more urgency in the first 100 mtres?

Really enjoyed this series, there is still life in the Inters it seems. Time for it to return to WA.

[Messenger]

Returning to WA might really kill it

[Jasper]

As long as it increases our FFA field sizes for awhile…

[aussiebreno]

As long as it increases our FFA field sizes for awhile…

Don't know the WA programming from a bar of soap but surely it needs looking at if there is a 6 horse FFA and Minstrel raced in a seperate race
While much of Minstrels opposition would be around the same level of the 4 horse field.

[Jasper]

From memory there were about 3-4 L15 horses in races outside of the Village Kid FFA on Friday night which would have made it a 9-10 horse race.

Dumensy is conducting a review. It has been an issue for quite some time and caused a lot of discontent amongst participants. Some support it but not many that I know. Suppose to be dynamic etc!

I got back into the game after 10 years away from the sport and without knowing a lot about the current system. If I knew then what I know now I probably wouldn’t have proceeded.

[Messenger]

What time will the barriers be announced?
The island event is listed as 9am - 5pm

[aussiebreno]

What time will the barriers be announced?
The island event is listed as 9am - 5pm

2.30PM our time I believe.

[aussiebreno]

Pre-draw I see it

Leap to Fame $1.50
Swayzee $7
Nerano $8
Eclipse $10
Speak Truth $16
Louis $16
Future $61
Pete $61
Rocks $61
Washingon $101
Turn it Up $201
Kanena $501 (side note I was backing this 2 months straight in Syd FFAs and stuck backing it even when it got demoted to the 2nd FFA and I had 0 succuss then it runs 2 places in ID heats without me on)

[aussiebreno]

Trotters final is all over.

Mufasa Metro in 1

Just Believe in 4.

Queen Elida in 5

Ollivici in 6

Plymout Chubb and Gus (who could have set it up for someone else) back row.

How far Just Believe?

Only conceivable way they beat him is if the track record last week has knocked him around (or he gallops).

[aussiebreno]

Pacers couldn't have scripted a more interesting barrier draw

1 Nerano
2 Turn it Up
3 Swyazee
4 Future Assured
5 Cantfindabettorman (Emerg)
6 Leap to Fame
7 Kanena Provlimi

8 Classie Washington
9 Louis
10 Speak the Truth
11 Better Eclipse
12 Petes Said So
13 Out Money Rocks

[aussiebreno]

My odds

Leap $2.60
Swayzee $3.10
Nerano $4.40
Louis $9
Eclipse $13
Speak $16
Washington $51
Turn it Up $51
Pete $101
Rocks $101
Kanena $201

[aussiebreno]

Louis has put in a couple shockers in the past few months but he was a great run in Vic Cup and was only beaten a head Nerano despite the extra distance covered in last weeks heat and in the midweek heat he couldn't have done any more in a 26.4 final qtr. I think he is a big chance from that draw especially if Turn it Up can cross which I think he will. Going back to the Sunshine Sprint he couldn't have done any more either. He is going to need Swayzee and Larry softened up but that looks probable.

Maybe he needed the run on 29th Oct. McCarthy may have trained him to the minute.

Leap to Fame still the one to beat though.

[Messenger]

Thanks for getting all that up early Brendan.
Here is the TAB's Trot Final

[Messenger]

Their Pacing Final

[Messenger]

A cheap interest in the final?
Future Assured has blown from $41 to $101

He isn't the biggest drifter however
Turn It Up has blown from $17 to $151

Vic TAB

[aussiebreno]

https://peterprofit.com/are-they-kidding/

The genius that is PP saying ID start time 5.50PM.

[Showgrounds]

https://peterprofit.com/are-they-kidding/

The genius that is PP saying ID start time 5.50PM.

That's the Pacerss Consolation. Which I missed due watching the cricket. The Pacers Final is at 6:30, just as bad in my opinion. What geniuses cam up wit this lack of prime time programming?

[aussiebreno]

That's the Pacerss Consolation. Which I missed due watching the cricket. The Pacers Final is at 6:30, just as bad in my opinion. What geniuses cam up wit this lack of prime time programming?

He days final time though.

You havent missed anything
Different time zone

[Showgrounds]

That's the Pacerss Consolation. Which I missed due watching the cricket. The Pacers Final is at 6:30, just as bad in my opinion. What geniuses cam up wit this lack of prime time programming?

A correction - I was looking at the times listed in the fields for Albion Park. I incorrectly typed 6:30, should have been 6:20. Then I forgot to allow for QLD never adopting Eastern Daylight Savings Time, which more sophisticated folk South of the Tweed have never experienced their dates an curtains fading any quicker than our Northern cousins. So, the Grand Finla starts at a still very early 7:30 PM (EDST) an hour and 52 minutes prior to the Trotters GF.

I cannot recall such innovative (read WEIRD) proagramming for an ID Grand Final night in my life! And I think the story PP was talking about - running yhe Pacers Final berate the gallops were finished - eminated from David Fowler's radio segment a couple of month's prior.

Now, to watch the Consolation.

[Messenger]

https://peterprofit.com/are-they-kidding/

The genius that is PP saying ID start time 5.50PM.

6.30 QLD / 7.30 us - still too early

He does not seem to realize that Bonno has been sacked - made reference to him today and one other time this week

[Messenger]

So deserved by Leap To Fame and connections
He is just a 4yo going 5

It seems mind boggling that that run only beat Colt Thirty One's Tk Rec by 0.2 secs (also just a 4yo)
Here is a link to that one

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP200719#APM20071901

[Messenger]

We Believe we have never seen Greg Sugars so happy

[Jasper]

Two great performances in one night. Fitting way to end a fantastic ID series.

[Messenger]

A couple of excellent drives in the Pacing final by Dixon and Sugars.
Dixon was not going to the lead until something else had come around to keep Swayzee locked up
But Sugars did not want to breeze and was happy to let Swayzee out to pressure LTF and give him cover

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP161223#APM16122301

[Showgrounds]

Leap to Fame has earned the rarest and hardest earned title - CHAMPION.

As for the timing of the Pacing Grand Final, what were they thinking? An almost embarrassed Ryan Phelan had to keep referring to the Trotters Final - 1hr 52 min later - as the main race just to keep audience interest.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne greyhounds at The Meadows attracted a capacity crowd (official attendance unknown) tor the $1.65 million The Phoenix. In Perth, the WATA attracted over 8,000 on track for hometown champ Damien Oliver's last ever meeting as a jockey. What a master-stroke of programming that was, with Olly winning the last three races in the fashion that has taken him from a champion to a legend. His last ever ride was a was one of his greatest in the $1.5 million Damien Oliver Gold Rush. You had to see it to believe it and, if you were patiently awaiting the ID Pacers Final, you did!

All of this highlighted what a bucket of scraps the Inter Dominioin has become. A lousy $530k for the final after 3 torrid rounds of heats is not enough to attract Australasia's best. It belittles the sport; the $250k Golden Nugget 4yo was held the previous night just demonstrates what a mess our programming and feature race scheduling is in.

And how irrelevant we have become to the gallops and now the dish-lickers. Not good.

[Messenger]

Well said Trev. I know HRV have a quite new CEO but he is yet to WOW whereas our Chairman should have departed llloooonnngggg ago. HRA is the same and I would not be surprised if other states are also guilty. Maybe it is up to the Sports Ministers to note that the code is faltering and dismiss non-performers. Sports Ministers however (like 99% of the pop.) are unlikely to know anything about us when appointed.
I think it is up to those whose livelihoods depend on it, breeders, trainers, drivers - to let the Ministers know that we are going down the $#!^@*
These representative bodies are too meek!

[gutwagon]

The final is normally on between 9 and 10pm. I had a quick look at the odds and was shocked to see the race was going to run in 5 minutes. Just crazy.
Also I was considering going to Melton last night, shock horror , no meeting. Crazy again.
So I switched over to the FTA racing channel to watch, shock again , the dogs were on ! Then the final was won by Mr integrity himself with 2nd, 3rd and 4th not mush better IMO.

Overall I think Harness Racing was the biggest loser of the night.