From the Callers Box December

Here we go, it’s time to shine.

ID23 has finally arrived….and whether you believe Queensland should be hosting another Inter Dominion series or not, it’s here and it starts now.

So, the Pacers and Trotters series returns to the famed Breakfast Creek oval for the first time since 2001, in fact, it’s the only time both series have been staged in the Sunshine State.

Back then, it was the Kiwis who conquered with Yulestar and Take A Moment taking the spoils.

A lot has changed since then and Queensland has emerged from its once often termed ‘minnow’ reference.

It’s 2023, and the host state has plenty to be excited about.

Separate or united.

The series favourite for the pacing division is our very own Leap To Fame, locally prepared by Grant and Trista Dixon from their Tamborine base while several other locals look to have excellent chances too.

Allow me to digress, a trip down memory lane, Blacks A Fake is the only Queensland trained winner of a series, and he did it a record four times (2006, 07, 08 and 10).

But looking back at that history making moment in 2006 at Hobart in Tasmania, the Queensland trained stars came to the fore throughout the series culminating with the triumph of Blacks A Fake in the $1.5 million Grand Final.

In the field of 12 finalists, Queensland provided five runners and ended up with the result of winner (Blacks A Fake), third (Slipnslide), fourth (Flashing Red), sixth (Cobbity Classic) and eighth (Be Good Johnny).

Could we achieve something similar in 2023?

And thinking back about the 2001 Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final won by Take A Moment, the field was filled with interstate and Kiwi raiders.

Zero locals.

But 2023 could be vastly different, defending champion Just Believe looks mightily hard to beat but it’s fathomable we could have strong numbers lining up in the final.

Heck, only last month, a Queensland trained trotter qualified for the Victoria Trotters Derby and not only did he qualify, but Not As Promised won the feature event!

So, here’s hoping we hear plenty of “Queenslander” chants throughout the series.

Unless there’s a miracle, this will be the final Inter Dominion series staged at Albion Park, so come along and be part of history.

I know I’m looking forward to it.

Until next time.