From the Callers Box September

The 2023 Inter Dominion series is just around the corner.

In fact, it’s less than 100 days away.

The once most revered event on the harness racing calendar has undergone some radical and utterly dismal changes over the past 22 years, the damage caused is somewhat irreversible.

Traditionally, the Inter Dominion series consisted of three heats and a final over a 14-day period – a true test of man/woman and horse, a survival of the fittest.

And the true trotting enthusiast and fan/punter alike thoroughly embraced the concept.

So, where did it go all wrong?

Well, that’s a conversation for another day but ultimately, it came down to one thing – money!

The series hasn’t been staged at Albion Park since 2001 when New Zealand star Yulestar stormed to victory while the last series staged in the Sunshine State was 2009 (former North American Mr Feelgood prevailed defeating a game Blacks A Fake) when the now defunct Parklands (Gold Coast) played host before being reclaimed by the Queensland Government in 2013 because of the Commonwealth Games.

And with some perfect symmetry, Albion Park will play host one final time before the curtain comes down on this famous racetrack in less than 18 months owing to the Olympics.

The major sponsor of the 2009 series was Watpac, an Australian construction and civil engineering company. Formerly listed in on the Australian Securities Exchange, it is now a subsidiary of Besix.

As it stands, no major sponsor announcement has been made for the 2023 series.

But to be fair, there’s plenty of other major issues facing the industry with its future and existence more clouded than ever before.

Every corner you turn right now, people throughout the code and beyond for that matter, are all asking the same questions.

What and where does the future hold for the sport in this state?

While this often-asked question immediately follows.

Can Queensland survive with just two tracks (Marburg & Redcliffe)?

Troubling times indeed, but maybe, just maybe, the final Inter Dominion series at the famed Breakfast Creek oval will provide a perfect send off to the club and state.

Until next time.