Inter Dominion Pacing Championship
The Inter Dominion is a harness racing competition that has been contested since 1936 in Australia and New Zealand.
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- for winners of the trotting event see: Inter Dominion Trotting Championship
The Inter Dominion was the brain child of Western Australian Trotting Association Chairman Mr. J P Stratton, with the first series held at Gloucester Park, Perth.
The host of the series is rotated between the six harness racing states of Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The rotation of the Championships is fixed annually at a meeting of the Council. It is fixed five years in advance. It is held in New Zealand once in each four years.[1]
The traditional format is a series of heats held over a two-week period, with the final held in a third. Competitors earn points based on their finishing order in each heat, the 14 horses that accrue the most points over the series go into the Grand Final.
The winner is determined by the finishing order in the Grand Final. There is also a Consolation race.
The scheduling of the distances is usually at the discretion of the host club. The usual distance is a longer distance in excess of 2400 metres.
Blacks A Fake made history in 2010, by winning his fourth Inter Dominion title by becoming the only horse to win four Inter Dominion races.[2]
Pacing championship winners
- 1936 - Logan Derby, driver: Jim Agnew
- 1937 - Dan's Son, Ben Coram
- 1938 - Pot Luck, Maurice Holmes
- 1939 - Springfield Globe, Peter O’Shea
- 1940 - Grand Mogul, Keith Anderson
- 1947 - Bandbox, Len Moriarty
- 1948 - Emulous, W K Tatterson
- 1949 - Single Direct, Edgar Kennerley
- 1950 - Captain Sandy, Jack Watts
- 1951 - Vedette, Maurice Holmes
- 1952 - Avian Derby, G D Wilson
- 1953 - Captain Sandy, R Pollock
- 1954 - Tennessee Sky, Frank Kersley
- 1955 - Tactician, Maurie McTigue
- 1956 - Gentlemen John, Eric Rothacker
- 1957 - Radiant Venture, F Conor
- 1958 - Free Hall, Bill Shinn
- 1959 - Young Pedro, Leo Hunt
- 1960 - Caduceus, Jack Litten
- 1961 - Massacre, Doug Watts
- 1962 - James Scott, Perc Hall
- 1963 - Cardigan Bay (NZ), Peter Wolfenden
- 1964 - Minuteman, Eric Hurley
- 1965 - (dead heat) - Jay Ar, George Noble
- 1965 - (dead heat - Robin Dundee, Doody Townley
- 1966 - Chamfer’s Star, Brian Forester
- 1967 - Binshaw, Phil Coulson
- 1968 - First Lee, Kevin Robinson
- 1969 - Richmond Lass[3], Kevin Brook
- 1970 - Bold David, Alf Simons
- 1971 - Stella Frost (NZ), Doody Townley
- 1972 - Welcome Advice, Alan Hartley, trainer: George Hartley, Junee, NSW.
- 1973 - Hondo Grattan, driver/trainer: A. D. (Tony) Turnbull.
- 1974 - Hondo Grattan, A. D. (Tony) Turnbull
- 1975 - Young Quinn (NZ), John Langdon, trainer: Charlie Hunter.
- 1976 - Carclew, Chris Lewis
- 1977 - Stanley Rio, John Noble, trainer: George Noble.
- 1978 - Markovina, Brian Gath
- 1979 - Rondel, Peter Wolfenden
- 1980 - Koala King, Brian Hancock
- 1981 - San Simeon, Lou Austin
- 1982 - Rhett's Law, Colin Warwick
- 1983 - Gammalite, Bruce Clarke
- 1984 - Gammalite, Bruce Clarke
- 1985 - Preux Chevalier, Barry Perkins
- 1986 - Village Kid, Chris Lewis
- 1987 - My Lightning Blue, Jim O’Sullivan
- 1988 - Our Maestro, John Binskin
- 1989 - Jodie's Babe, Scott Stewart
- 1990 - Thorate, Howard James
- 1991 - Mark Hanover (NZ), Mark Purdon
- 1992 - Westburn Grant, Vic Frost
- 1993 - Jack Morris (NZ), Rod Chambers
- 1994 - Weona Warrior, Brian Hancock
- 1995 - Golden Reign, Chris Alford
- 1996 - Young Mister Charles (NZ), Peter Morris
- 1997 - Our Sir Vancelot (NZ), Brian Hancock
- 1998 - Our Sir Vancelot (NZ), Brian Hancock
- 1999 - Our Sir Vancelot (NZ), Brian Hancock
- 2000 - Shakamaker, John Justice
- 2001 - Yulestar (NZ), Tony Shaw
- 2002 - Smooth Satin, Steve Turnbull
- 2003 - Baltic Eagle (NZ), Kim Prentice
- 2004 - Jofess, Darren Hancock
- 2005 - Elsu, David Butcher
- 2006 - Blacks A Fake, Natalie Rasmussen
- 2007 - Blacks A Fake, Natalie Rasmussen
- 2008 - Blacks A Fake, Natalie Rasmussen
- 2009 - Mr Feelgood (USA), Anthony Butt
- 2010 - Blacks A Fake, Natalie Rasmussen, trainer: Natalie Rasmussen
- 2011 - Im Themightyquinn*, Gary Hall (Junior), Gary Hall (Senior)
- 2012 - Im Themightyquinn
- 2013 - Im Themightyquinn
- 2014 - Beautide, James Rattray, James Rattray
- 2015 - Beautide
- 2015 (Dec) - Lennytheshark, Chris Alford, David Aiken
- 2016 - Smolda, Mark Purdon, Mark Purdon
- 2017 - Lazarus[4]
- 2017 - Lararus, Mark Purdon, Mark Purdon
- 2018 - Tiger Tara NZ, Todd McCarthy, Kevin Pizzuto
- 2019 - Ultimate Sniper, Natalie Rasmussen, Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen
Note: Smoken Up was first past the post in 2011, but was disqualified for a positive drugs test. A court challenge to the disqualification was not successful.[5][6]
1952 Inter-Dominion racebook
Front cover of the 1952 Harold Park Inter-Dominion Final racebook.
Inside cover showing race night officials.
Racebook showing starters & conditions.
Racebook showing starters & the winner, Avian Derby.
2019 Inter Dominion (Auckland)
The 2019 Interdominions were held in Auckland, New Zealand, hosted by the Auckland Trotting Club at the Alexandra Park track from Friday 29 November 2019 to 15 December 2019.[7]
Spankem who was one of the favourite contenders for the Interdoms was withdrawn due to a fetlock injury diagnosed following Christchurch cupweek.[8]
Heats 1 and 2 on Friday 29 November were raced over 2200m with a mobile start and Free-for-all conditions.
- Heat 1 was won by Ultimate Sniper (Natalie Rasmussen, $2.50) from Chase Auckland (Tim Williams) and Mach Shard (Zachary Butcher) in 2:35.4 (mile rate - 1:53.6).
- Heat 2 was carried out by A G's White Socks (Maurice McKendry MNZM, $29.60) from Cruz Bromac (Mark Purdon) and Thefixer (Natalie Rasmussen) in 2:36.1 (mile rate - 1:54.2).
Heat 3 and 4 on Tuesday 3 December were raced over 1700m.
- Heat 3 was won by A G's White Socks (Maurice McKendry, $6.40) from Chase Auckland (Tim Williams) and My Kiwi Mate (Craig Demmler) in 1:59.17 (mile rate 1:52.7).
- Heat 4 was won by Ultimate Sniper (Natalie Rasmussen, $2.80) from Cruz Bromac (Mark Purdon) and Mach Shard (Zac Butcher) in 1:59.01 (mile rate 1:52.6).
Heat 5 and 6 on Friday 6 December were raced over 2700m.
- Heat 5 was won by Ultimate Sniper (Natalie Rasmussen, $1.50) from Chase Auckland (Tim Williams) and Colt Thirty One (Grant Dixon) in 3:16.11 (mile rate 1:56.8).
- Heat 6 was won by Cruz Bromac (Mark Purdon, $2.70) from Thefixer (Natalie Rasmussen) and Triple Eight (David Butcher) in 3:16.7 (mile rate 1:57.2).
The Grand final was raced on 14 December and won by Ultimate Sniper (Natalie Rasmussen) in 3:14.7 (1:56.0) from Mach Shard (Zac Butcher) and Thefixer (Blair Orange). The 4 year old Ultimate Sniper went through the series undefeated.
The horse Triple Eight was number 8 in the final, drawn 8 and was placed 8th.
| Horse (Trainer) |
Trainer(s) |
Final Qual. order |
Notes |
Heat 1 |
Heat 2 |
Heat 3 |
Heat 4 |
Heat 5 |
Heat 6 |
Points after night 1 |
Points after night 2 |
Points after night 3 |
Barrier draw for Final |
Grand Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Sniper | Purdon / Rasmussen | 9 | 2019 NZ Derby and 2018 NZ Sires Stakes Final winner | 1st | x | x | 1st | 1st | x | 17 | 34 | 51 | 5 | 1st |
| Cruz Bromac | Purdon / Rasmussen | 1 | 2019 NZ Cup and 2018 NZ FFA winner | x | 2nd | x | 2nd | x | 1st | 14 | 28 | 45 | 11 | 4th |
| A G's White Socks | Barry Purdon | 12 | 2018 Easter HC and Noel Taylor Mile winner | x | 1st | 1st | x | x | 5th | 17 | 34 | 43 | 7 | 5th |
| Chase Auckland | Purdon / Rasmussen | 3 | 2019 NZ FFA and New Brighton Cup winner | 2nd | x | 2nd | x | 2nd | x | 14 | 28 | 43 | 9 | 10th |
| Thefixer | Purdon / Rasmussen | 4 | 2018 NZ Cup winner | x | 3rd | 5th | x | x | 2nd | 12 | 21 | 35 | 13 | 3rd |
| Mach Shard | Barry Purdon | 17 | 3rd | x | x | 3rd | 6th | x | 12 | 24 | 32 | 6 | 2nd | |
| My Kiwi Mate | Craig Demmler | 14 | 7th | x | 3rd | x | x | 7th | 7 | 19 | 26 | 1 | 9th | |
| Sicario | Brent Lilley | 15 | 2019 South Australian Pacing Cup | x | 7th | 6th | x | x | 4th | 7 | 15 | 25 | 2 | 7th |
| Ashley Locaz | Purdon / Rasmussen | 10 | 6th | x | 7th | x | 4th | x | 8 | 15 | 25 | 3 | 6th | |
| San Carlo | O'Donoghue / Bartley | 8 | 2019 Kilmore Cup winner | 5th | x | x | 6th | 7th | x | 9 | 17 | 24 | 10 | 11th |
| Triple Eight | Steve Telfer | 13 | x | 6th | x | 10th | x | 3rd | 8 | 12 | 24 | 8 | 8th | |
| On The Cards | Barry Purdon | 20 | x | 5th | 10th | x | 5th | x | 9 | 13 | 22 | 4 | 12th | |
| Classie Brigade | Robert Dunn | 7 | 2019 Kaikoura Cup winner | x | 8th | x | 4th | x | 9th | 6 | 16 | 21 | 12 (E1) | Scratched |
| Solid Gold | Cooney / Hopkins | 22 | 4th | x | 8th | x | 10th | x | 10 | 16 | 20 | x | x | |
| Bling It On | Belinda McCarthy | 5 | 2019 Victoria Cup | x | 10th | x | 5th | x | 11th | 4 | 13 | 16 | x | x |
| Dance Time | Steve Telfer | 25 | x | 11th | 4th | x | 12th | x | 3 | 13 | 15 | x | x | |
| Star Galleria | Steven Reid | 16 | 2018 City of Auckland FFA winner | x | 4th | x | 12th | x | 8th | 10 | 12 | 18 | x | x |
| Conviction | Steve Turnbull | 19 | 8th | x | x | 11th | 13th | x | 6 | 9 | 10 | x | x | |
| Our Uncle Sam | Chris Frisby | 6 | 10th | x | x | 9th | 8th | x | 4 | 9 | 15 | x | x | |
| Check In | Steve Telfer | 24 | 11th | x | 9th | x | 11th | x | 3 | 8 | 11 | x | x | |
| The Devils Own | Brent Mangos | 23 | 12th | x | x | 7th | x | 10th | 2 | 9 | 13 | x | x | |
| Another Masterpiece | Purdon / Rasmussen | 18 | x | 12th | x | 8th | x | 6th | 2 | 8 | 15 | x | x | |
| Atomic Red | Steve Turnbull | 21 | x | 9th | 12th | x | x | 12th | 5 | 7 | 9 | x | x | |
| Colt Thirty One | Grant Dixon | 2 | 2019 Swan Hill Cup winner | 9th | x | 13th | x | 3rd | x | 5 | 6 | 18 | x | x |
| Henry Hubert | Robert Dunn | 11 | 13th | x | 11th | x | 9th | x | 1 | 4 | 9 | x | x | |
| Ball of Art | 26 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||
Reference list
- "Inter Dominion Rotation between Australia and New Zealand". Archived from the original on 2003-08-26. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
- SMH: Inter domination: Blacks A Fake paces into equine immortality Retrieved 2010-3-8
- Harness Racing,Wayville (S.A) 01/03/1969 Inter-Dominion Grand Final (Richmond Lass-K.Brook). 22 August 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- Kiwi horse Smolda wins harness racings Inter Dominion Final, Timaru Herald, 10 December 2016, Retrieved 11 December 2016
- Roots, Chris (18 December 2011). "Justice quest: Smoken Up disqualification challenged". brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
- Racing:Smoken Up stubbed out, New Zealand Herald, 19 December 2012, Retrieved 25 January 2016
- http://www.ID19.co.nz
- https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/spankem-injured-to-miss-all-summer-racing/
External links
- 2009 Watpac Inter Dominion Official Site
- Rotation Program - Inter Dominion Championship Series
- Queensland Harness Racing Homepage - Host state for 2009 Inter Dominion