Interdominion 2012 - Perth

SLIPPERGOLDEN · December 2011

Anyone have an opinion on the new format commencing after Perth? I prefer the way it is now. Why are they changing it?

Punter · December 2011

More people can fit inside certain grounds, and they want it to the run over a huge track.

The way the got it now is best.

tony · December 2011

said:
Anyone have an opinion on the new format commencing after Perth? I prefer the way it is now. Why are they changing it?

The reason the are changing is that they decided to award the championship to one state for the 3 years 2013,4,5.

Expressions of interest were called for and NSW were the only body interested and decided to go with the new format which imo cannot be called an interdominion championship.

SLIPPERGOLDEN · December 2011

Only one state interested. Says it all.

CookieKwan · December 2011

It costs the host state a lot of money to run an Interdominion.
Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland all raised their hands after the last time they hosted and said they can't do it again. They just don't have the finances. When last hosted by NSW in 2010 a significant amount of sponsors backed out because it would only be in the state for one year before moving on. Their would be no market traction in sponsoring for a year in isolation and therefore not worthwhile. This is why HRA and the Interdominion committee decided to offer it on a tender basis for 3 year terms.
The only players in the tender were to be NSW, WA, and Christchurch.
Christchurch is busy rebuilding after the earthquake so backed out.
The redevelopment of Gloucester Park is to commence after hosting the 2012 Interdominion so they withdrew.
Victoria were keen to see how it pans out and didn't bid.
NSW were granted the series and could guarantee a $1m final for each year. There is also a major development due to commence shortly next to the Menangle track with a training centre and stable to be erected. This will provide stabling for visiting horses.

As with tinkering with the format; I don't like it. I was annoyed when Victoria changed the format in 2009 to have two heats only and runners bringing in "carry over points" from other Grand Circuit events. The whole idea of the Interdominion series is to display the toughness and versatility of the breed. The winner will have to run 4 times at the top echelon over varying distances. Very unique to the standardbred and something you won't see the fragile thoroughbred doing. The way it will be run in Perth is a true Interdominion which is why I am so excited to be heading over for it.

I spoke to John Dumesny about the heats being run in different states. He said the board felt it was very unfair on people with horses in places like Perth and NZ to have to bring a horse all the way to NSW to compete in a series when they might not even make the final. He feels that it would scare plenty off. He also feels that this format will make for more competetive heats and increase turnover. I told him I thought that was rubbish and if you stump the prizemoney trainers will find a way to your track if they have one that they believe is a chance. We agreed to disagree but this format is not set in stone. The NSWHRC board are trying new things which must be respected as the game has stood still for a long time; if you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got. They won't get it right every time (like the Miracle Mile qualification this year) but they do admit when they are wrong and will look to improve.

kibble · December 2011

I like the fact that the Inters will have a 'home' - albeit for only 3 years at this stage. At present the Metropolitan Club in the host State spends a huge amount of money advertising and promotiing a terrific event that occurs and then diappears from the State for 8 years......then after 8 years they rebuild the brand (generally from scratch as significant staff changes can occur in an 8 year period) and do it all again.

It's so much smarter to run the event in one State for the purposes of securing major sponsorship support and continutiy of the Inter Dominion brand. It's just so important that NSW builds on the Inter Dominion brand and presents the best event of the Australian harness racing season in 2013,2014 & 2015. If they don't then our greatest race is in jeopardy of losing it's significance as the showcase event of our sport.

CookieKwan · December 2011

said:
I like the fact that the Inters will have a 'home' - albeit for only 3 years at this stage. At present the Metropolitan Club in the host State spends a huge amount of money advertising and promotiing a terrific event that occurs and then diappears from the State for 8 years......then after 8 years they rebuild the brand (generally from scratch as significant staff changes can occur in an 8 year period) and do it all again.

It's so much smarter to run the event in one State for the purposes of securing major sponsorship support and continutiy of the Inter Dominion brand. It's just so important that NSW builds on the Inter Dominion brand and presents the best event of the Australian harness racing season in 2013,2014 & 2015. If they don't then our greatest race is in jeopardy of losing it's significance as the showcase event of our sport.

Well said. Rest assured the importance of the event is not lost on the NSWHRC

TheFunkster · December 2011

Well the Inters may be enough to drag me to my first pacing meet in well over 5 years. And no Dennis, seeing your melon on telly isn't the reason :P
I'm interested to see what the WATA will do to try to attract people back to the code I grew up in.

LuckyLongshots · December 2011

said:
Well the Inters may be enough to drag me to my first pacing meet in well over 5 years.

Same here, can any regulars suggest which restaurant is best, still seems some vacancies for the heats and final nights - looking to head out!

SLIPPERGOLDEN · January 2012

What are the odds John Hunt calls a few races over the carnival?

TheDarkHorse · January 2012

said:
What are the odds John Hunt calls a few races over the carnival?

Millions

SLIPPERGOLDEN · January 2012

In the red or in the black?

Gilgamesh · January 2012

Just on the restaurant front, though it is pricey the beauravage is by far the best of them and has by far the best viewing position. If you can afford it go the drinks package and make it a big one!

Be good to hopefully see some punters and fingers crossed bookies back in the old ring! Pretty pumped to actually go along with a crowd. Bet there's some brain fades by the drivers getting over excited by actually driving in front of a crowd.

Punter · January 2012

What about steelos?

Gilgamesh · January 2012

have been there a half dozen times and it doesn't do much for me. Is obviously a lot beter priced but the food can be a bit bland and your pretty low so you have to fight with people to see the races from there, you basically can't. Plus other restaurants prices include entry which I imagine will be pretty high come inters time. It does present a bit better than something like the radiant oro but I just like the hight factor.

Chris · February 2012

Anyone going to any of the heat nights?

Elitist · February 2012

if i can get a few mates together ill head out to gp tomorrow nite to see the great man daryl braithwaite bust out a rendition of 'the horses' :D

LuckyLongshots · February 2012

said:
Anyone going to any of the heat nights?

Thinking about it - haven't been to trots in years and this would be a good time to check it out!

So correct me if I'm wrong, but all the Inters horses go around each of the three nights and the highest points earners (for those three nights) goes into the final on March 2 - have I got it right?

tony · February 2012

said:

said:
Anyone going to any of the heat nights?
Thinking about it - haven't been to trots in years and this would be a good time to check it out!

So correct me if I'm wrong, but all the Inters horses go around each of the three nights and the highest points earners (for those three nights) goes into the final on March 2 - have I got it right?

Correct LL. Top 9 into final.

LuckyLongshots · February 2012

Washakie a good run, had to work too hard to keep the lead, but Auckland Reactor just got the easy sit behind the first two and won reasonably easy!

David Hercules lost a wheel!

LuckyLongshots · February 2012

Pretty exciting watching Quinny - think I might head out there next Friday, best chance to see all the horses go around - and maybe head out to the final too!

Chris · February 2012

Expecting Smoken Up to light up this field tonight, almost not worth going around

Quinn might find it slightly tougher than he did Friday.

Chris · February 2012

Had the ticker to get the job done but Crombie was going for the title!

TorpedoPunt · February 2012

Easy money tonight.

Raglan, Auckland, Smoken Up, Quinny and Gracias..

Chris · February 2012

The story so far...

26 Auckland Reactor Im Themightyquinn Smoken Up
23 Crombie
18 Can Return Fire
17 Raglan
16 Mr Feelgood
15 Dasher VC Mysta Magical Mach
14 Lombo Navigator Rocket Reign
13 Has The Answers
12 Hesa Buzzin Russley Rascal Saucy Legend Wrongly Accused
11 Cromac Johnny Washakie
10 Artorius David Hercules Son Of Fergie
9 Lombo Pocket Watch
8 Fast Play Hy Royale Lightning Raider
7 Alzona Bus To Harland Sneakyn Down Under Little Sonny Bill
6 Pablito Rakarebel
5 Motu Treasure Ohoka Du Nord
4 Tsunami Lombo 3 Eastwood

LuckyLongshots · February 2012

R4 tonight was one of the main reasons I generally don't bet on the red hots!

Crombie had the lead taken away early on, sat 1 back the rail, and never had a chance of winning! I didnt have a bet in the race, but there was a major lack of competive driving/racing in that race!

TheSwooper · February 2012

Agree Lucky. Lewis decided to leave something for next week I suppose but it doesn't help those that backed it in late. (Wasn't me)

SLIPPERGOLDEN · February 2012

said:
R4 tonight was one of the main reasons I generally don't bet on the red hots!

Crombie had the lead taken away early on, sat 1 back the rail, and never had a chance of winning! I didnt have a bet in the race, but there was a major lack of competive driving/racing in that race!

Which makes it different from how many others?

Interesting comments from Eastern Staters and Wes Cameron agreeing on the extreme advantage the number one has here from a certain start and the fact most 4 5 or wider are always restrained at the start.

Further comments were made (by Wes) re form analysts realising this and taking it into consideration but other (mug?) punters not knowing or caring.

Punter · February 2012

They wouldn't go on with the topic because that face trouble by RWWA who employs them hahahaha. I think it is safe to say that the majority thinks it sucks.

Chris · March 2012

What are the thoughts lads?

1 95421 MR FEELGOOD USA L A McCarthy John McCarthy C39 M32 FR1
2 35622 LOMBO NAVIGATOR A L De Campo Matthew White C15 M7 FR2
3 42612 RAGLAN NZ T G Butt Darren Hancock C13 M9 FR3
4 59123 CROMBIE P K Tilbrook Chris Lewis C14 M7 FR4
5 41523 MYSTA MAGICAL MACH NZ T Svilicich Morgan Woodley C18 M13 FR5
6 31111 SMOKEN UP NZ L J Justice John Justice C53 M48 FR6
7 11111 IM THEMIGHTYQUINN NZ G E Hall (Snr) Gary Hall (Jnr) C37 M32 FR7
8 74235 CAN RETURN FIRE NZ G S Bond Colin Brown C15 M7 FR8
9 12111 AUCKLAND REACTOR NZ M Purdon Anthony Butt C27 M21 FR9
10 41542 CROMAC JOHNNY NZ (Em 1) G L Williams Glpark 02/03/2012 Grant Williams C16 M8 FR-
11 20256 DASHER VC NZ (Em 2) P K Tilbrook Glpark 02/03/2012 C13 M6 FR-

LuckyLongshots · March 2012

For those of us who don't generally bet on the trots, this is a pretty good analyst from perthnow.

FINALLY it's here.
After much anticipation and three absorbing heats, the winner of the nation?s premier harness racing event will come down to approximately three minutes and five seconds of equine brilliance.

So who is going to win Australasia?s harness racing jewel - the V75 Inter Dominion Championships.

Following Sunday afternoon's barrier draw, Im Themightyquinn was installed favourite and whilst there has been support for Mr Feelgood and Auckland Reactor, the WA Champion remains a very firm even money favourite on Player.

Drawing barrier 7 is ideal for the son of Washington VC as he can drop out and then unleash his withering sprint.

The question that most pundits are asking is what will happen up front?

A favoured scenario is that Mr Feelgood, who has drawn barrier 1, will lead and Lombo Navigator, who has drawn 2, will settle on his back and the Victorian champion Smoken Up, who after working three wide for 600-700m might settle on the outside of Mr Feelgood.

The 800m sectional between the 1200m mark and the 400m mark could prove make or break for a lot of runners.

If the tempo is too slow the back markers like Auckland Reactor and Im Themightyquinn will be able to work into the race too easily and be able to be close enough to make things interesting for the front markers.

Sub 29.5 sectionals are probably required to take the sting out of Im Themightyquinn?s sprint, but even that could not prove enough.

Such is the speed and devastation of his sprint that it he is capable of getting his rivals no matter what is happening up front.

If your not at Gloucester Park watching history, the roar of the crowd will tell you that Quinnie has erupted and victory is his.

In what should be a terrific final to what has been an outstanding series Im Themightyquinn should be able to win from Smoken Up and Mr Feelgood.

If punters want to have a cheeky wager outside of the big four then Lombo Navigator could be the smokey each way investment and is the selection to run fourth.

It?s been said that the field is the best-ever assembled in modern times at Gloucester Park and if you are on track at Gloucester Park let?s hope we?ll see what should be the greatest harness event in the history of harness racing in the west.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/superracing/gloucester-park-pacing-preview-for-friday-march-2/story-fn67s760-1226285469687

G'day Punter!

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