Ballarat will play a large part in the biggest harness racing series in Australasia later this year.
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A night of heats for the 2018 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship has been programmed for Bray Raceway in December.
This year will see the series return to Victoria for the first time since 2008.
And for the first time since 2012, the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship is back on the calendar, with heats also planned for Ballarat on the same night.
“The Ballarat club is extremely excited to be given the opportunity to participate in the 2018 Inter Dominion to be conducted by Harness Racing Victoria,” Ballarat and District Trotting Club chief executive Paul Rowse said.
“The club has a proven track record of hosting premium events and hopes to capitalise on the exposure of the 2018 PETstock Ballarat Cup experienced in a record-breaking year.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with HRV and the City of Ballarat to showcase the best of harness racing and at the same time sharing the spotlight with Ballarat’s world-class tourist attractions.”
Melton will host the first round of Inter Dominion heats on Saturday, December 1 before the action heads to Ballarat for the second round on Wednesday, December 5.
The third round of heats will be run at Cranbourne on Saturday, December 8 before the grand final night back at Melton on Saturday, December 15.
General manager of racing at HRV Glen Canty said the organisation had received seven submissions from clubs wishing to host Inter Dominion heats.
Racing conditions are yet to be determined, with discussion points in coming weeks to include the possibility of Ballarat installing a temporary sprint lane if required.
Champion New Zealander Lazarus won the 2017 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship, which was held in Western Australia.
The grand final was held at Gloucester Park in Perth.