As part of the countdown series until the running of the 2023 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Championship at The Creek, Albion Park, ADAM HAMILTON will update the key happenings around Australasia’s premier harness racing event each week.
THE Inter Dominion spotlight moves to Christchurch next week.
Although there are no Kiwis left in next month's Ladbrokes Inter Dominion, their biggest race – the NZ Cup – promises to have a huge impact on next month's pacing series.
That's because NSW trainer Jason Grimson's latest star – and probably the best pacer he's trained – Swayzee will be the lone Aussie runner in the NZ Cup.
After that, Grimson will turn his attention to trying to win a third successive Inter Dominion final.
Swayzee and the rejuvenated Himanameisjeff, who won easily at Menangle last Saturday night, are Grimson's two major hopes.
But for now, Grimson and stable driver Cam Hart are focused on going one better with Swayzee than they did with Majestic Cruiser's huge second placing in last year's NZ Cup.
"We were so keen to come back again after last year and I think Jase (Grimson) has found the right horse," Hart said.
"He's come back even better than he was around Blacks A Fake time and he's such a relaxed horse, I don't think the standing start will pose him any problems."
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Just Believe back on track after Sweden mission
REIGNING Inter Dominion trotting champion Just Believe launches the campaign aimed at his title defence at Melton on Saturday night.
It will be the superstar's first race since his three-start Swedish raid finished in July.
"He's ready to go, we're really happy with the way he's come back," trainer Jess Tubbs said.
"He'll run this week and possibly the week after in the Breeders Crown (open trot) if we think he needs another run, then it's up to Queensland."
The Inter Dominion stocks for Tubbs and Greg Sugars were further boosted last Saturday night when their best pacer, Better Eclipse, won another feature race.
The five-year-old beat a small but select field in good fashion in the $50,000 4&5YO Championship and looks right on target for his Brisbane campaign.
Better Eclipse is no stranger to Albion Park, having raced at The Creek three times last year for a Group 1 win in the Sunshine Sprint and a second to Ladies In Red in the Group 1 Rising Sun.
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Qld Cup to be Leap To Fame's Inter Dominion dress rehearsal
QUEENSLAND sensation Leap To Fame will cap his Inter Dominion preparation in the $53,040 Group 2 Queensland Cup (2138m) at Albion Park on Saturday night.
In contrast to last week when he drew awkwardly and had no luck, Leap To Fame is ideally suited from gate five and dominates betting.
Leap To Fame is the $2.50 pre post favourite for the December 16 Inter Dominion final.
The race is a dress rehearsal for most of Queensland's major Inter Dominion pacing hopefuls.
Reigning Inter Dominion champion I Cast No Shadow, now in the Darrel Graham stable, is having his second run back from a spell, but is drawn wide (gate six).
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Star pacers to bypass northern mission
CHAMPION trainer Emma Stewart will be part of the Inter Dominion, but not the extent it seemed a few weeks back.
Stewart confirmed two of her best pacers – champion mare Ladies In Red and Hunter Cup winner Honolua Bay – would not be heading to Brisbane next month.
Ladies In Red was breathtaking winning last Saturday night's Group 1 Queen of the Pacific at Melton, but race against her own sex for the rest of this year at least.
While Honolua Bay, who was one of the stars of last year's Melbourne Inter Dominion, continues to battle his chronic hoof issues.
"Mach Dan will be going, but I haven't settled on who else will at this stage," Stewart said.
Victoria Cup winner Act Now, star mares Encipher and Amore Vita, along with the classy Beyond Delight are among others in consideration.
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Svanosio's special trotter could target Inter Dominion
A STELLAR season could see emerging Victorian trotting star Arcee Phoenix a crack at the Inter Dominion.
Chris Svanosio's stable star posted his seventh win (along with two seconds) from just 10 starts this season when he toyed with his rivals in the feature trot at Melton last Saturday night.
Svanosio, one of trotting's major players in Australia, had a "trial run" to Albion Park earlier this year when Arcee Phoenix ran a brave second to London To A Brick in the inaugural Group 1 Great Square on July 8.
Arcee Phoenix's other second this season came two runs back when he was far from disgraced behind star Queen Elida at Melton.
"We're thrilled the way he's going," Svanosio said. "He's got the Breeders Crown (Bendigo, November 17) and then I'll decide with the owners whether he goes to Brisbane."
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Ollivaci brings Inter Dominion interest to Yarra Valley
THE Inter Dominion flavour stretches to Yarra Valley's Cup meeting tomorrow.
Several Inter Dominion hopefuls are in action across the pacing and trotting cups, but none more important than exciting trotter Ollivici.
The five-year-old is the lone backmarker off a 30m handicap in what will likely be his second-last lead-up race before heading north.
Ollivici boasts 13 wins from just 29 starts and co-trainer Chris Lang has long rated him as serious Inter Dominion material.
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Australasia’s premier harness racing event will take centre stage at Albion Park this December. Don’t miss your chance to be trackside at Queensland’s first Inter Dominion in over 20 years!
There’s a range of ticket and hospitality options available for each night. Click on the link below to view info and packages.
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