ID23 set for prime-time

The nation’s premier harness racing event is poised to receive prime-time billing in Brisbane.

Returning to Queensland for the first time in 14 years, the time-honoured Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Championship will take centre stage at Albion Park on December 16, including enhanced coverage via Sky Thoroughbred Central.

Gates will fly for the $500,000 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship at 6.30pm AEST, followed by the Trotters Championship at 8.20pm.

The 10-race card will conclude at 9.05pm, with on-course entertainment including renowned Australian rockers Thirsty Merc to take the stage following the last event.

Racing Queensland has worked strategically with both the Albion Park Harness Racing Club and Sky Racing to develop a program that CEO Jason Scott says will maximise viewership both on-course and via televised broadcast.

“December 16 is shaping as one of the great evenings in racing across all three codes, with the Inter Dominion alongside the world’s richest greyhound race – The Phoenix – and Damien Oliver’s final farewell from the racetrack in Perth,” Mr Scott said.

“The meeting is perfectly positioned to attract patrons from the thoroughbred meeting down the road at Eagle Farm, while for eastern state counterparts, a 7.30pm start will set the tone for an unforgettable night of racing.

“The Inter Dominion is an international icon in the sport, and we are proud to play host to what looks set to be an historic series in 2023.”

On the track, some of the world’s premier standardbreds are expected to light up The Creek, including the battle of the brothers Leap To Fame and Swayzee, as well as four-time Group 1 trotting superstar Just Believe.

With plenty of on-course entertainment and hospitality packages available, APHRC Chief Operating Officer Ken Rutherford said The Creek is looking forward to welcoming patrons to what will be a stellar night of celebrating the standardbred.

“We’re anticipating a huge crowd to the 2023 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing and Trotting Championships Grand Finals,” Mr Rutherford said.

“The true champions of Trans-Tasman harness racing will be unveiled in what will be a fitting culmination to a fortnight of high-quality standardbred action.

“In partnership with Racing Queensland and our much-valued sponsor, Ladbrokes, the Club is extremely proud to put on this event and add another chapter to the storied history of the Inter Dominions.

“There is plenty of additional entertainment to complement the on-track action, with the ultimate highlight being the performance by Thirsty Merc.”

General Manager Sky Racing and International Media Adam Brownlee said the broadcast will set a new benchmark in harness racing coverage.

“Sky Racing is the home of harness racing in Australia, and we’re bringing punters at home and in our 4,000 retail venues closer to the track than ever before,” he said.

“We’ll be speaking to the trainers and drivers moments before the races start and seconds after the race has finished.

“We’ll also beam the meeting to more than 60 countries around the world, making it one of the most watched harness racing meetings on the planet.”

Click here for more information on ID23.