Ballarat and District Trotting Club will bid to have a round of Inter Dominion Series heats at Bray Raceway next year.
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Australasian harness racing’s most prestigious event is returning to Victoria for the first time in 10 years.
BDTC chief executive officer Paul Rowse said even though the format of the series was yet to be finalised, the club was well progressed in preparing a submission to put to Harness Racing Victoria.
“We’ve already engaged in discussions with the City of Ballarat and Visit Ballarat to ensure we make a strong case to bring a major event to the city,” he said.
Rowse said the club was well placed geographically and facility-wise to cater for a marquee event such as the Inter-Dominion, just as it had in the past with Australasian Breeders Crown “Super Sunday” and the Ballarat Pacing Cup as industry showpieces.
Harness Racing Australia on Wednesday confirmed it had endorsed a proposal from Harness Racing Victoria, Harness Racing New Zealand and Club Menangle/Harness Racing NSW to host the Inter Dominion over the next three years.
Victoria has been given the rights for next year.
HRV chief executive officer David Martin said it was Victoria’s intention to run non-Melton heats leading into a December 15 final at Melton.
He said this would help increase the exposure of what was a great series, providing a boon for regional economies, clubs and trots fans.
“Given the strength of trotting in Victoria, we will also align a feature trotting event with the Victorian Inter Dominion pacing final,” Martin said.
Rowse said speculation about the Inter Dominion returning to Victoria had been circulating for several weeks and this had been behind the BDTC getting on the front foot in the hope of being part of it if it was confirmed.
“It’s exciting for the trots industry. It has already generated a lot of discussion around the traps. We want to be part of it.”
This year’s Inter-Dominion in Perth – the third year in a row it has been in Western Australia – starts with a round of heats on Friday night.
The series then goes to regional track of Bunbury for a round of heats before more heats and the final in Perth on Friday, December 8.