From the Callers Box November

With ID23 just around the corner, there’s plenty at stake.

And there’s a big issue which is going largely unnoticed.

Who will be crowned the Australian Harness Horse of the Year?

Obviously, most here in the Sunshine State including myself are pulling for our own poster boy in Leap To Fame, but, and it’s a very big but, it’s far from a done deal that he takes the title.

His victories in the Rising Sun and Sunshine Sprint will carry weight but he needs more, and maybe the Inter Dominion will be the missing link in the chain.

Let’s not forget, his placings in the Blacks A Fake, Eureka and Victoria Cup will strengthen his claim, but he needs another major victory.

That’s fact.

And what better way than claiming the Inter Dominion Pacing Championship!

As it stands, Victorian pacer Catch A Wave has the nose in front given he achieved the Chariots of Fire/Miracle Mile double at Menangle earlier this year.

Also, he did beat home Leap To Fame in the Victoria Cup when he finished as the runner-up behind Act Now.

But as we know, Catch A Wave isn’t heading north for the Inter Dominion which has the left the door open for Leap To Fame to edge past him.

So, can he make the most of this opportunity?

And what about Swayzee? Can he go to Christchurch and win the New Zealand Cup before returning for ID23? What if he wins both races?

Given his success in the Blacks A Fake back in July, he would automatically be crowned the HOY!

But what about the trotters? Are they in the race too?

Because you can make legitimate claims for both Just Believe and Queen Elida.

And both boast unbelievable credentials.

Just Believe is the reigning Inter Dominion champion and his three victories this year include the Great Southern Star, Grand Prix, and the E B Cochran Cup while he also competed with distinction in Europe with three races at the highest level.

Queen Elida has won the La Coocaracha, Sumthingaboutmaori, MacArthur Mile, Matriarch, Australasian Trotters Championship and Bill Collins Sprint.

And both have amassed more than $300,000 this year.

So, suddenly, the Albion Park Inter Dominion Championships take on an extra layer of intrigue.

The race is on!

Until next time.