Perth 1996 - Pacers Series

1996 Pacers Series
Gloucester Park, Perth

1996 Ausdrill Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Series $400,000 Heats: 1, 5, 8 March 1996 Final: 15 March 1996
It was at Gloucester Park back in 1936 where the Inter Dominion Championship was first held, so it was quite fitting that Perth would host the Diamond Jubilee series with heats on March 1, 5 and 8, and the Grand Final on March 15. Perth had hosted more Inter Dominions than any other city. Its organisation of these carnivals has long set the standard for others to follow. Preparations for the 1996 carnival actually began two years earlier when the Western Australian Trotting Association appointed no fewer than eight sub-committees for each to specialise in a particular area. Monthly reports would go to the association on the progress of each committee. Seven months before the carnival the club at Gloucester Park had a full-time staff of four in its promotions and publicity department, taking in journalists and others with degrees in this area. Each worked with great enthusiasm in the quest of making the Diamond Jubilee the best ever series. Such is the professionalism of the WATA. When an early decision on a major sponsor was unable to be stitched up by the promotions department, the WATA was prepared to go with an idea originally passed over by Adelaide in the early 1980’s when the club at Globe Derby also had problems securing a major sponsor. Perhaps this novel scheme then seemed too much of a gamble. The WATA embraced the suggestion of offering 250 tickets at $1000 each to go into a draw where the winning ticket would win a sponsorship package worth more than $200,000. It included naming rights and generous fringe benefits for the sponsor throughout the series and beyond, while providing the WATA with the injection of funds it required. The WATA did a superb job launching and developing interest in this novel concept. Not only did some interstate firms support it, but also many firms in WA keenly sought the sponsorship, including some that had never previously supported the sport. (Several individuals also paid their $1000 in the hope of if successful they could sell the sponsorship off, reaping a handsome profit).		Young Mister Charles NZ - 1996 Inter Dominion Pacing Champion

Among the names to go into the draw held at a special function at Burswood Casino was a $1000 ticket from Perth’s best known sex shop. (The WATA had earlier agonised over whether it should reject this ticket. In the end it went with the odds of around 230 to one). There were some audible sighs heard around the room at Burswood when the name of WA-based drilling company Ausdrill was the ticket drawn from the barrel.

An exploration company specialising in drill and blast contracting, exploration drilling and mining service supply, Ausdrill had been founded in 1987 at Kalgoorlie by Ron Sayers. It was now expanding throughout Australia and overseas. Sayer was the owner of thoroughbreds and had never been associated with harness racing. From the time the company’s man in Perth, Gary Bradford, had awoken his boss with a phone call after midnight to tell him Ausdrill had won it, Sayers began warming to the sport.

The stories surrounding Sayers, and perhaps anyone who strikes it rich in the mining and drilling business, were colourful, but probably made taller with their telling on the rumourmill. They certainly supported the theory that here was a man who would work hard and play hard. After all, wasn’t Sayers the guy who had somehow a month or so earlier obtained more than 50 "impossible to get" tickets to the Australian Football League Grand Final at Melbourne’s MCG and had flown friends and staff across the country to be his guests at the big game between Carlton and Geelong?

So successful had been this approach of securing much needed major sponsorship of the Inter Dominion Championship that several of the administration staff at the WATA believed how one good turn deserved another. They purchased shares in Ausdrill for a modest price. Well before the Inter Dominion these Ausdrill shares would increase significantly on the stock market. The association of the WATA with Ausdrill would be a mutually successful one.

Having become the major sponsor of the Inter Dominion Diamond Jubilee, Ausdrill officials announced its managing director was keen to purchase a top class pacer from North America, which he and several friends could campaign in the series. The syndicate included two friends who were also part owners of Doreimus, the Melbourne trained galloper raced in partnership with Pacers Australia that in November completed the Caulfield-Melbourne Cups double. Also associated with Ausdrill and a syndicate member was Terry O’Connor, who had been the driving force and first president of the West Coast Eagles when Perth became part of the national competition of Australian Rules Football.

On a visit to a Friday night meeting at Gloucester Park in November, Ron Sayers was a guest in the lavishly appointed room for Caduceus Club members where he was introduced to trainer-driver Trevor Warwick. When they spent almost two hours enjoying the comforts of this club atmosphere it was immediately assumed by interested onlookers that if and when a big name horse was obtained in the USA, it would enter the stables of this horseman who has long projected an image of class and success, with Warwick no stranger to training for a wealthy clientele. But later events would prove such thoughts would be a little presumptuous.

Negotiations broke down at the 11^th hour for the stallion that headed the Ausdrill syndicate’s shopping list in the United States. It is believed this followed the failure of the syndicate to negotiate a deal with a major New Zealand stud farm over the horse. With time now running out in bringing an imported pacer here, Ron Sayers sought other options and finally settled on securing the smart New Zealand four year old Tabaret NZ, despite the horse being a noted slow beginner and lacking the maturity of contesting an Inter Dominion Series. The trainer Sayer and his friends selected to give this horse to in January and have prepared for the Ausdrill Inter Dominion was veteran Fred Kersley.

Australian harness racing over the years has known many families to be successful in the sport, with the best known being the Gaths in Victoria, the Websters in South Australia, and the Kersley clan in Western Australia. The latter had first been established in Perth at the end of the 1920’s when "Pop" Kersley moved there from Adelaide. Several of his sons also became outstanding horsemen including Frank, who won the 1954 Inter Dominion with Tennessee Sky. Fred Kersley was a third generation member of the tribe, and had sealed his place in history by winning 15 driving premierships at Gloucester Park.

During this distinguished career he had won Inter Dominion heats with Justaboyden NZ, Paavo, Gap Road, Indian Chant, Typhson, Pure Steel, Local Product, James Eden and Red Vicar. But the Grand Final had always eluded him, with his closest brush with victory being seconds in 1967 driving Coneeda, and Pure Steel in Adelaide in 1976. As the Christmas approached, Perth’s most decorated reinsman did not have a horse in the stable worthy of nominating for the Ausdrill Inter Dominion. His interests these days including racing several thoroughbreds preparing a few handy but not great pacers and watching his daughter Kellie establish herself among the top three reinswomen in the country.

As a fourth generation Kersley, Kellie was born to have been in harness racing, though it seemed she had gone out of her way to succeed in her right. In the spring of 1995 she had won more than her share of races, but was unable to pick up the better drives that would enable her the opportunity to have a crack at the big ones. An unexpected phone call from trainer Neil Lloyd of Bunbury was to change her life in a dramatic way.

Lloyd was the trainer of Norms Daughter, a mare that had flopped badly when campaigned the previous year at the Christchurch Inter Dominion after earlier proving herself a fine filly at Gloucester Park. This now five year old had shown on numerous occasions at Gloucester Park that she was as tough and as fast as the best of the local pacers. The call from Lloyd was to offer her the drive on Norms Daughter, which had become one of the real glamour pacers for regulars attending Gloucester Park.

"The move to put me on the horse actually came from the owner, because earlier I had been great friends with his father who had only recently passed away. The owner explained how his father had always been disappointed in not having had a daughter, and had come to look upon me as the closest thing. Mr Palmer was sure his father would have been delighted with me driving Norms Daughter, so he had phoned and made me the offer".

If Perth did not have more than one or two genuine Inter Dominion hopes approaching Christmas, the pairing of Kellie Kersley with the State’s best pacing mare was the kind of pre-carnival publicity the sport needed - and the promotions department cranked it up for all it was worth. They were rewarded when Norms Daughter and her new driver looked in good form leading up to the closing date for Inter Dominion nominations. At least, it meant the name Kersley would be associated with the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee.

However, the New Year brought an unexpected bonus for Fred Kersley. Not only did the Ausdrill syndicate give Tabaret NZ to Kellie’s father with the hopes he could improve the four year old’s reputation of being a slow beginner, but the New Zealand owned Nippon Home NZ would a short time later be transferred to Fred Kersley.

As with most Inter Dominions, the publicity machine of the WATA did not have to look far to find these pre-race stories that helps make these annual series the headline grabbers they can be.

Gloucester Park in recent years has been recognised as one of the world’s three leading half mile tracks in an era where larger circuits are more acceptable in this age of speed. In the past decade the trainers of the best New Zealand horses have not been overly enthusiastic campaigning in Inter Dominion Championships when the series are held on half mile tracks. Some of their best pacers and trotters have missed carnivals in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide, with connections preferring them to stay at home racing on their more spacious tracks. The WATA staff burnt the midnight oil striving to secure the top Kiwi pacers of the Diamond Jubilee, with only mixed success.

No less than 18 horses to contest the opening round of heats had been bred in New Zealand. However, most of these had been sold to Australia, with only Burlington Bertie NZ, Desperate Comment NZ, Lento NZ, Master Musician NZ and Nippon Home NZ flying the Kiwi flag for owners. It was noticeable that the most successful stable there, the all powerful Purdon team trained by brothers Barry and Mark, did not have a horse in final acceptors, other than Barry’s wife owning Nippon Home NZ. It was difficult to know which country should claim Beefy T NZ since he was raced by the Green family, now living in WA, for two years.

Ginger Man NZ had been trained by Barry Purdon for its Gold Coast owner Greg Brodie, who a decade earlier had Paleface Bubble earn prizemoney in an Inter Dominion Grand Final and in 1993 had Warrior Khan finish second to Jack Morris NZ in the Sydney Inter Dominion. Since Ginger Man NZ had finished fourth in the A.G. Hunter Cup, it had been transferred to the stables of Ross Olivieri in Perth, giving more creditability to it now representing Australia.

An interesting starter was Tibet USA, purchased in the USA for the Dominator Syndicate from New South Wales. This recently arrived import was now prepared by the syndicate’s private trainer Peter Walsh, who had reported the horse would go into the series under done, being more than a month away from anything like its best having arrived much later than expected from North America. It was the second US-bred pacer in the line up. David Aiken was again campaigning the American owned Ultra Jet USA, a tough pacer though well held in the past by the cream of our best pacers.

Betting markets on the eve of the 60^th Inter Diamond had the pint sized Kiwi Desperate Comment NZ the 6/1 pre-race favourite following its return to form in Melbourne, from Sunshine Band, Tabaret NZ and Ginger Man NZ on the second line at 10/1, followed by Beefy T NZ, Norms Daughter, Lucky Camilla and Master Musician NZ 14/1, Burlington Bertie NZ a 16/1 chance, and Young Mister Charles NZ one of several pacers at 20/1. (In a remarkable oversight, the latter had earlier not been nominated for the series, and only an hour before nominations closed, racing secretary Alan Parker had phoned connections in NSW to tell them their horse was not in, which they quickly rectified.)

The opening round of heats for $25,000 were over 2100 metres. Gloucester Park takes nine horses on the front line behind the mobile, with the outside alley considered to be a clear disadvantage. While the average fields throughout the year have shown horses can win when drawn behind the front row, in races with the depth of an Inter Dominion, a good draw off the front is an advantage.

FIRST NIGHT

In the first of the heats on opening night, it was Fred Kersley who looked set to bring up first blood for a WA-trained pacer when he set sail for the judge on Nippon Home NZ, only to be cut down in the last stride or two by the Grand Circuit Champion Sunshine Band. Despite his worries with inquiries back in Sydney, Chris Gleeson had taken block and wasted no time going on the attack with Sunshine Band.

Nippon Home NZ may have now been trained by Kersley, but because this six year old by Holmes Hanover was owned in New Zealand, the horse was officially listed in the racebook as representing that country. When Nippon Home NZ paced boldly and went so close to winning this opening heat, the Perth media were quick to start claiming the horse as one of theirs. Oroton Hill NZ was third, with Beefy T NZ and the local Two Time Sunset NZ next to arrive. The big disappointment in the opening heat was Ginger Man NZ.

Heat 1 - 2100m: Sunshine Band (Chris Gleeson) 1, Nippon Home NZ (Fred Kersley) 2, Oroton Hill NZ (Phil Coulson) 3. MR: 1:58.8

Brian Hancock’s Our Sir Vancelot NZ put itself into Grand Final contention when this five year old son of Vance Hanover saluted in the next heat, eating Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ and Desperate Comment NZ. The latter had lost no admirers as pre-race favourite had to overcome starting from the outside alley at the gate. Norms Daughter was fourth and Young Mister Charles NZ fifth.

Heat 2 - 2100m: Our Sir Vancelot NZ (Brian Hancock) 1, Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ (Trevor Warwick) 2, Desperate Comment NZ (Peter Jones) 3. MR: 1:57.9

Mick Carroll, the Victorian owner-trainer of Lucky Camilla, had confidently been predicting a win for his speedster since his five year old drew the pole in the third of the heats. The horse duly did achieve this prediction, holding off Burlington Bertie NZ at the top of the home straight when the Kiwi broke, going into a fierce gallop that put him right out of business. It was left to Brian Hancock and Tallowood Pursuit to claim second place just ahead of the fast finishing Tabaret NZ.

The horse raced by Ausdrill directors and friends had been placed out of the draw, so would not get any favours from the barrier. It had been a real eye-catching effort to have come from last at the bell, especially as the winner had turned in the fastest last half of the night - 56.9 seconds, making the effort of the former Kiwi pacer first class.

Heat 3 - 2100m: Lucky Camilla (Max Wishart) 1, Tallowood Pursuit (Brian Hancock) 2, Tabaret NZ (Fred Kersley) 3. MR: 1:57.3

SECOND NIGHT

Perhaps the major concern for trainers contesting an Inter Dominion Series is to keep their horse healthy through the opening week when each pacer must start in three heats. One of the first casualties was Young Mister Charles NZ which had emerged from the opening round with a cut on its leg. The following day it was found infection had set in, presenting major concerns for Garry Hancock and Peter Morris. It was not so much that the injury was serious in the long term, but if the wound was treated with any medication that might lead to a positive swab, all their efforts would come to nought. They had little more than 48 hours to work on the wound and have their horse presented for a club veterinary inspection.

The second round of heats continued just four nights after opening night, and as the Young Mister Charles NZ stable was frantically striving to get their horse up for its heat, Kiwi trainer Robert Dunn fired off a broadside at the host club for its draw of horses in the next round over 2500 metres, a distance that was expected to suit the Kiwi pacers.

Dunn is a most likeable horseman and popular with the media as he is inclined to speak his mind. He was basing his criticism on the general feeling that Desperate Comment NZ and Master Musician NZ were the two best pacers in the series, and claimed how he was stunned to see both these two proven big race performers drawn to meet again in Heat 4.

"Any horse that gets the same heat as the Inter Dominion favourite has its chances greatly reduced towards gaining the maximum 16 points for a win. Now the draw is making it twice as tough for my horse, as Master Musician NZ has drawn him again in this next round," said an agitated Dunn.

Handicappers are usually a protected group as results out on the track will so often allow them to have the last laugh. That second night Master Musician NZ made the most of a front-row draw, powering home to beat Desperate Comment NZ and Nippon Home NZ. Perhaps the Gloucester Park track staff had got it right, as Master Musician NZ had long been plagued by contracted hoofs which prevented the frog of the gelding’s feet from acting as a shock absorber each time they hit the ground. The eight year old had thrived in Perth’s hot weather, spending a great deal of time pottering around the beach. He could scarcely have been more impressive that night.

Dunn also believed the shoeing the horse had received after the opening round had also proved invaluable. He expressed amazement and delight with this improvement. Four nights earlier his horse had been inclined to slip and never been comfortable on the Gloucester Park track. In its second appearance, Dunn had elected to send his horse forward soon after the start, and with Master Musician NZ appearing to enjoy its racing, the horse paced home the last half in a blistering 56.5 seconds.

Desperate Comment NZ and Nippon Home NZ had to date not won a heat, but the pair were racing in great heart and collecting invaluable points along the way with their consistent placings. Beefy T NZ had failed to make the most of a good barrier draw, then struck trouble in the final lap. He was now one of the number of horses struggling for much needed points for a place in the Grand Final.

Heat 4 - 2500m: Master Musician NZ (Robert Dunn) 1, Desperate Comment NZ (Peter Jones) 2, Nippon Home NZ (Fred Kersley) 3. MR: 1:59.1

Young Mister Charles NZ had responded to the constant treatment of its wound, helped along by long sessions down at the beach. He actually remained at the beach until one hour before the first race on that second round program, when he was floated to the track and had to pass not one but two veterinary inspections before being cleared to take its place in Heat 5.

Those to have drawn the pole in the earlier heats had usually been given the run of the race. Now it was Young Mister Charles NZ that had drawn the coveted pole. Driver Peter Morris made the most of this good fortune, leading throughout to beat an improved Ginger Man NZ and Two Time Sunset NZ. The latter was proving to be somewhat of a surprise in this series. In this race he had started from inside the second line. The relief on the faces of Morris and Hancock was obviously immediately after this event as Young Mister Charles NZ was now well in the running for a place in the Grand Final.

The woes for New Zealand trainer Peter Bagrie had continued when Burlington Bertie NZ could finish only sixth behind Young Mister Charles NZ. The horse was having trouble coping with the small circuit and Bagrie knew his horse needed all the breaks they could get to turn things around on a circuit that is the furthest away from New Zealand in more ways than one.

Former United States pacer Tibet USA turned in a much improved effort to be an unlucky fourth. Trainer Peter Walsh had been using two lugging poles on the horse, but tonight had elected to go with one. However, using heats of an Inter Dominion to improve fitness of a horse has rarely ever worked in past years, and this astute horseman was not counting his chickens just yet.

Trevor Warwick was making the most of good barrier draws with Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ, and picking up points for fifth kept the horse prominent in the points table. "The Admiral" had built up a good following among the smaller local punters following the publicity the horse had generated from being part owned by local football champion Brett Heady. Weona Brave and The Suleiman NZ had been outclassed and were no longer it seemed in contention.

Heat 5 - 2500m: Young Mister Charles NZ (Peter Morris) 1, Ginger Man NZ (Chris Lewis) 2, Two Time Sunset NZ (Colin Brown) 3. MR: 1:59.0

Inter Dominions have always been surrounded by drama and sensations, and heat 6 would bring to light the biggest sensation of the carnival so far – even before the horses were despatched on their way. As the field paraded in preparation for this race, Chief Steward Matt Skipper was alerted to a high bi-carb reading in a pre-race swab taken from the odds-on favourite Sunshine Band.

The maximum limit allowed in Western Australia is 35 millmoles per litre of blood. Anything even marginally above this will have the trainer of that horse in immediate trouble, usually with the animal not permitted to race, and the trainer brought before an inquiry.

In a pre-race swab from Sunshine Band before racing in Heat 6, the favourite had returned a level of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) that had topped the limit of 35. The start of the event was delayed to enable officials to have the "referee" sample also checked. When this revealed a reading not quite as high as the first, being just below the maximum level, stewards had to make a decision. After a 25 minute delay, it was decided the favourite could take its place in the field, with an inquiry scheduled for the following Thursday.

In keeping with the imposing record for horses in this series starting from the pole, Chris Gleeson always had Sunshine Band cruising up front, and the favourite raced away in the home straight to defeat Shattering Class and Tabaret NZ. Lucky Camilla (from the second row) was fourth, with the local outside Scanio fifth. The disappointments in this heat included Norms Daughter, Ultra Jet USA and Our Sir Vancelot NZ. The latter had broken and galloped in the final lap and could beat only one horse home, while Kellie Kersley was the first to admit she had driven the mare "too prettily", and that this was one pacer which would do better when used to attack more in its races.

Heat 6 - 2500m: Sunshine Band (Chris Gleeson) 1, Shattering Class (Rod Chambers) 2, Tabaret NZ (Fred Kersley) 3. MR: 1:59.8

The points table after two rounds of racing stood at: 32 Sunshine Band; 25 Lucky Camilla; 24 Desperate Comment NZ, Nippon Home NZ and Young Mister Charles NZ; 22 Master Musician NZ, Tabaret NZ; 21 Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ; 20 Ginger Man NZ; 19 Tallowood Pursuit, Two Time Sunset NZ; 18 Our Sir Vancelot NZ. Those who had earlier been expected to have played a prominent role and were in danger of not making the Grand Final included Norms Daughter, Beefy T NZ and Burlington Bertie NZ.

THIRD NIGHT

Stewards held an inquiry on the day before the third round of heats into the high bi-carb reading returned earlier by Grand Circuit Champion Sunshine Band. Stewards were not prepared to accept the claim of trainer Alison Smith that the high level had been caused by different water and feed where they were stabled.

Smith was not charged over the affair on the basis of past precedents when the referee sample had not confirmed the first level, no action had been taken. In permitting Smith to continue with Sunshine Band in the series, Matt Skipper warned the trainer in the strongest possible terms that she should modify her race-day procedure. (Had that second test exceeded 35mm/1, Sunshine Band would have been disqualified as the winner and stripped of its 16 points).

Horses have natural TCO2 levels that normally range between 28 and 32mm/1. As with most biological samples be it urine, blood or saliva, there can be marginal differences between samples taken within a minute apart of each other - even when only seconds apart. In the case of Sunshine Band, that first sample had topped the 35 level, but the second had returned a reading of 34.9 mm/1.

The distances of racing in any Inter Dominion series are left to the discretion of the host club. The WATA when drawing up its schedule for the Diamond Jubilee Championship had gone for a third and final round of heats of 2100 metres. And there was a change to conditions. This race would have a preferential barrier draw based on lifetime win dollars.

The horses most likely to be disadvantaged under these conditions would include Master Musician NZ, Ginger Man NZ, Desperate Comment NZ, Tibet USA, Young Mister Charles NZ, Lento NZ and Burlington Bertie NZ. Lento NZ was one of New Zealand’s best mares, but had lost all form on this visit to Perth. What would assist the proven performers was that in each heat were horses that had shown in the first two rounds that they lacked the quality to really test the stars.

There had been no more popular local pacer to have gone into this series than the hardy mare Norms Daughter. In her opening heat she had drawn barrier 9, then followed that with barrier 10. Reinswoman Kellie Kersley had been under pressure to retain the drive on what Perth enthusiasts had not doubt was the best pacing mare in the country. In Heat 7 the mare fared better drawing gate 8 in what was not exactly the strongest of the heats. Both Miss Kersley and Norms Daughter responded gallantly to the pressures they were under to make the Grand Final.

This five year old daughter of Northern Lights (rapidly becoming the most successful sire to have stood in WA) showed incredible courage to nail Our Sir Vancelot NZ on the line. Brian Hancock, the outstanding big race driver from NSW, cemented his place in yet another Grand Final when he steered Our Sir Vancelot NZ to second behind Perth’s bonny mare. The polemarker Shattering Class had been in the firing line all the way and had grabbed third place, but would miss out for the race that really counted. Von Soky NZ was fourth and the out of form Valley Champ fifth.

Both Nippon Home NZ and Young Mister Charles NZ had their colours lowered in this heat, but had already gained sufficient points to be back the following week for the big one. It was the end of the line for Burlington Bertie NZ who had raced well below its best throughout the series. The Victorian mare My Cherie had also not fired up in any of the heats, and seemed only a patch on the mare who the previous season had been rated by many as the best of her sex in Australia.

Heat 7 - 2100m: Norms Daughter (Kellie Kersley) 1, Our Sir Vancelot NZ (Brian Hancock) 2, Shattering Class (Rod Chambers) 3. MR: 1:56.0

Heat 8 brought together an interesting clash of Sunshine Band from gate 7, and Desperate Comment NZ and Tabaret NZ coming off the second row. Horses drawn one to five in this heat were considered at least two classes below the two big hopes, and only a large dose of good fortune was likely if any of the five would keep the big guns out of the major points.

With Sunshine Band already assured of a place in the Grand Final, there might have been sceptics who thought the situation was tailor made for Chris Gleeson to give his horse an easier run as possible after having come through such a long and arduous campaign since Brisbane almost six months earlier.

Well, the Grand Circuit champion did not manage a place, actually finishing last. But Sunshine Band was parked out three wide throughout the race. It had been a real gut-buster for the favourite. That usual sparkle which had been characteristic when this horse was rushing around fields in earlier Grand Circuit racing was missing. Was Sunshine Band beginning to show the signs of all the wear and tear?

This heat was yet another triumph for Desperate Comment NZ and driver Peter Jones, as the Kiwi pacer appeared to actually have had a little in hand when beating of Tabaret NZ and the outsider Weona Brave. Tallowood Pursuit was fourth with Long Tan Glory fifth. It had been a most impressive performance from the winner as the Kiwi had paced its last mile in 1:56.8, returning an incredible mile rate of 1:56.5 for the journey. No wonder Sunshine Band had appeared to be labouring when trying to make up ground out wide!

Supporters of Tabaret NZ would have been encouraged by the four year old’s improved barrier manner, though the manner in which the horse was racing left no doubt in the minds of most that here was one pacer that would have been better off on a much larger track. Tallowood Pursuit’s fourth provided sufficient points for Brian Hancock to have now qualified two horses for the Grand Final. Another unplaced effort by Tibet USA had the recent import from the United States failing to make it. It was always going to have been a tough assignment having arrived too late to have a proper chance to have acclimatised.

Heat 8 - 2100m: Desperate Comment NZ (Peter Jones) 1, Tabaret NZ (Fred Kersley) 2, Weona Brave (David Aiken) 3. MR: 1:56.5.

The 9th and final heat had brought together the best field of the round. Beefy T NZ would get his chance from gate 4, next to Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ, but Lucky Camilla had not been so lucky and drawn the dreaded outside alley. The trio off the second row were Master Musician NZ, Ginger Man NZ and Weona Warrior. Followers of Ginger Man NZ had gone through an awful lot of excuses for its past few starts, with the horse continually turning in "be on me next time" efforts. Once again this son of Vance Hanover attracted many admirers, with Ginger Man NZ sent out a 5/2 favourite - and yet again another excuse would have to be found for it just missing the place.

Despite its awkward draw off the second row, Robert Dunn was adamant it had been ages since he had Master Musician NZ so free of problems with its feet. The horse was the best backed to defeat Ginger Man NZ, and the eight year old did not let them down. In the last lap Dunn was pushed four wide, but the excellent cross-fall of the Gloucester Park circuit enabled the horse to keep on coming where he powered home to beat the local pacers Scanio and Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ. The third horse had bungled the start, so its effort was full of merit. Ginger Man NZ appeared to have every chance finishing fourth.

The decision of Mick Carroll to have bypassed the two Grand Circuit races in his home state to enable Lucky Camilla to concentrate on the Inter Dominion only floundered in the final moments of the last heat. The stallion tired badly up the home straight, fading to finish last. This provided him with one point. Had Lucky Camilla beaten any runner home, coming in second last would have given him two points - and a place in the final.

Heat 9 - 2100m: Master Musician NZ (Robert Dunn) 1, Scanio (Shane Young) 2, Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ (Trevor Warwick) 3. MR: 1:56.5.

FINAL POINTS: 40 Desperate Comment NZ; 38 Master Musician NZ; 35 Tabaret NZ; 34 Sunshine Band; 32 Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ; 31 Nippon Home NZ, Norms Daughter, Our Sir Vancelot NZ, Young Mister Charles NZ; 29 Ginger Man NZ; 28 Tallowood Pursuit; 27 Shattering Class; 26 Lucky Camilla; 24 Scanio, Two Time Sunset NZ; 22 Placid Arc; 20 Twilight Warrior NZ, Weona Brave; 18 Long Tan Glory, Oroton Hill NZ, Von Soky NZ, Weona Warrior, 17 Elite Shadow; 16 The Suleiman NZ; 15 Tibet USA; 14 Burlington Bertie NZ, Flashing Star; 13 Beefy T NZ, New York Minute; 12 Lento NZ; 11 Leg Before; 10 Mighty Michael, My Cherie, Valley Champ; 9 Ultra Jet USA; 5 Comical.

GRAND FINAL

Just as the New Zealand raiders had walked away with the major spoils of the rich Melbourne carnival at Moonee Valley, Perth bookmakers expected this situation to follow suit in the Inter Dominion Grand Final, with opinion fairly divided between Master Musician NZ and Desperate Comment NZ for favouritism.

Immediately after the final heat, leading bookie Ross Cooper installed Desperate Comment NZ the favourite over Master Musician NZ, with a wide gap then to Sunshine Band. When the marbles rolled marginally in favour of Master Musician NZ at the draw on Tuesday, Cooper installed the Robert Dunn trained pacer the 9/4 favourite, with Desperate Comment NZ at 3/1. If this assessment was correct. Master Musician NZ would take its earnings past $2 million.

Some 500 people attended the special social function held to carry out the draw that enabled the WATA to have drivers engaged in the big race interviewed in front of the crowd. The much respected Fred Kersley when asked which of his two horses would he drive that Friday night, with tongue in cheek suggested he might have to get the owners of Tabaret NZ and Nippon Home NZ together for a meeting and let them decide. (There was never any real chance of Kersley not being on Tabaret NZ. Later than week Barry Purdon would arrive from Auckland to drive Nippon Home NZ for his wife.)

Kersley is a quiet and usually very private person, who rarely shows any display of emotion. Having driven in seven previous Grand Finals, he chose that moment in front of the crowd to speak about his daughter. "I really feel for Kellie during this series," he told the gathering, who was hanging on to every word. "She has the weight of the world on her shoulders through driving what is the favourite with the local crowd. It’s a very daunting task having to go out there with so many expecting you to win at every start. All I can say at this stage to you Kellie, is believe in your horse and believe in yourself, and if it is going to happen, it will."

The marble for Norms Daughter provided an unfavourable draw of barrier 8. Ross Cooper moved the price of the mare out to 10/1, saying that had the mare drawn in the first four, he would have rated her a 5/1 chance. Trainer Neil Lloyd said how he had come to expect bad draws for the mare in the big races. The last mare to have won the race was Jodie’s Babe on this track eight years earlier. No reinswoman has ever won the Inter Dominion.

New Zealand’s main three hopes all drew well - Master Musician NZ in barrier 3, Nippon Home NZ next in 4, and Desperate Comment NZ in barrier 5. Having remained out of the draw throughout the series, Tabaret NZ automatically was from barrier 12, with the two unlucky horses to draw beside it on the second row being Ginger Man NZ and Our Sir Vancelot NZ. Trainer Brian Hancock had been in too many Grand Finals to look too disappointed with Tallowood Pursuit, his second starter in the race, having the outside alley on the front row.

Hancock had twice won a Grand Final as a reinsman with Koala King in 1980 and Weona Warrior in 1994. He trained two finalists at Adelaide in 1990, electing to steer the fancied Weona Chief. This pacer finished third, behind the stablemate and 25/1 chance Thorate, driven by stablehand Howard James.

Brian Hancock was not the only trainer-driver to have pulled the wrong rein when qualifying two horses in an Inter Dominion Grand Final. In Sydney in 1988 Vin Knight had chosen Bag Limit in preference to Our Maestro, and had to watch the stablemate win from a position well back in the field. The following year in Perth, Knight went for Our Maestro, which finished second to the stablemate Jodie’s Babe.

When Hancock qualified both Our Sir Vancelot NZ and Tallowood Pursuit for the Grand Final he was in no hurry to decide which one to drive, as stewards had handed him a 14 day suspension over the push-out rule when driving Our Sir Vancelot NZ on the opening night of the series. His appeal was dealt with the day prior to the Grand Final, and was dismissed. He gave the drive on Our Sir Vancelot NZ to his 24 year old stepson Mark Tracey, and had top Victorian reinsman Chris Alford take the sit behind Tallowood Pursuit, the rank outsider in the field at 50/1.

Although most previews of the Ausdrill Inter Dominion Grand Final suggested it was the year of the Kiwi and selected either Desperate Comment NZ or Master Musician NZ to win, there was some thought that the two WA horses to have drawn barriers one and two - Shattering Class and Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ - could begin fast enough to make the Kiwi pacers forced to work overtime.

Veteran Perth horseman Phil Coulson who had been first past the post in two Grand Finals, summed it up by saying: "Shattering Class and Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ are probably two of the worst horses in the race, but they both get out of the gate fast, and if they pick up the right horse to hand over to, then they might be able to get a good trail and get some of the money, even though I don’t believe they are really good enough."

The astute Coulson said he believed Sunshine Band to be the best horse in the race, but believed it now faced a huge task from barrier 7, while he also doubted Master Musician NZ would be able to muster sufficient early speed to take full advantage of its favourable draw. When asked which horse in the field he would have liked to be driving, without hesitation he named Desperate Comment NZ. But added that Young Mister Charles NZ was the horse which impressed him the most so far as condition was concerned. "He has come through the series best of all, but given my choice of a horse to drive in the race, it would be Desperate Comment NZ."

If most Perth punters were inclined to overlook Young Mister Charles NZ driver Peter Morris had been full of expectations for some weeks. "I have driven this Grand Final in my head from the night we won the Quit & Win Cup in Adelaide. That was the night I knew we could beat Sunshine Band again." Morris and trainer Garry Hancock had since then been planning for it to happen in the Ausdrill Inter Dominion. The relationship between this trainer and reinsman was different to any other combination taking part in that Grand Final.

The association had begun 17 years earlier when a 15 year old lad had ridden his bicycle into the Morris stables at Fairfield, saying he wanted to learn all about the trotting game. Being a second cousin to the Hancock brothers who had then been making such a good fist at training and racing pacers was a motivation for the lad’s enthusiasm to learn. But within three years the young Hancock received a major setback when a rare spinal disorder attacked the boy. Garry Hancock would grow into a man with a badly affected back. Hancock refused to allow this disability to end his association with horses at the Morris stables, and a close and lasting bond had developed between the two men.

While Garry Hancock cannot climb in and out of a sulky in the manner most other horsemen do, he has always worked the horses in his own special way. He has never lost his own humour on the subject of his handicap, telling friends that his understanding with Young Mister Charles NZ is such that the horse knows about the problem and puts its head down to enable Hancock to place the bridle on the pacer. No one is prouder of Hancock than Peter Morris, who summed up their relationship the week of the Grand Final with: "He came into my stable as a boy who loved horses. Today he is a man who horses love."

All drivers going into an Inter Dominion Grand Final when doing their homework for the race probably devote a great deal of time studying other runners and learning which horses are most likely to go for the lead; which may be prepared to hand over if in front; and which drivers are likely to attack mid race. Both Morris and Hancock had often talked about the Adelaide race Young Mister Charles NZ had beaten an unlucky Sunshine Band. "Chris Gleeson took me too cheaply that night, and I know he is astute enough to learn from his mistake," was the reaction of Morris. The plan the pair formulated revolved around Young Mister Charles NZ having the early speed to get to the front. Believing the two highly fancied Kiwi pacers were not noted for early speed, the two men agreed that if their horse could grab the front early, it would be Gleeson that would be the one most likely to then come looking for the lead.

Instead of seeking another dog fight similar to the one they had back in the Tasmanian Championship in Hobart, and then again in Adelaide, this time their plan was for Morris to hand up rather cheaply on their horse. Both had followed the Grand Circuit racing with considerable interest as Sunshine Band developed the habit of hanging away from the rails in the latter stages of a race. For this plan to work in their favour, it all came down to Morris being able to get their pacer to the lead without expending too much energy with their 25/1 chance in the pre-post betting.

As the starter sent the field of 12 on its way, Morris pushed his accelerator to the floor. His horse exploded from the machine, crossing from barrier 6 to the fence without the competition they had feared might come from the two Perth pacers on the inside. It wasn’t too long before Chris Gleeson came charging around the field, no doubt being prepared to again be engaged in a front running battle with Sunshine Band’s old adversary. If Gleeson was surprised at being able to cruise so easily to the front and cross to the fence, he had little time to ponder over this as his horse was fired right up, wanting to run along. A horse that fails to settle in its races is just as likely to beat itself. Morris on the other hand was fortunate in getting "Charlie" to relax, enjoying the trail behind the leader.

Approaching the 600 metre mark and with no Kiwi pacer in sight, Sunshine Band almost turned the Grand Final into a Butcher’s Picnic. In previous races when under pressure he had been inclined to roll away from the fence. This time, as though he had spotted the gate leading on to the track, he produced a new trick, trying to veer off towards the direction of the gate. It took all of Gleeson’s expertise to avert what could have been a great tragedy if other horses were brought down.

In the chain reaction that did follow, Young Mister Charles NZ balked and collided with Admiral’s Ecstasy NZ, which in turn caused interference to Nippon Home NZ, Ginger Man NZ, Tabaret NZ, Our Sir Vancelot NZ and Master Musician NZ. Having seen all this unfold in an instant, Kellie Kersley decided to make her move then with the mare that liked to run along a bit. Not waiting to see who else might be letting go, she stoked up the boilers of Norms Daughter and turned the throttle up to top gear, moving up to the outside wheel of the leader. The darling of the Perth crowds that was noted for its toughness, continued to pour the pressure on Sunshine Band.

This move was to be a godsend to Morris. Approaching the home turn for the last time he could see that the mare keeping him in a pocket had given her all, and was now being held by the leader, Morris resorted to a trick he had learned years earlier when driving on the old small three furlong track at Maitland. Inside the 400 metre mark he eased his horse, allowing it to drop back a little behind Sunshine Band, hoping to "con" Gleeson into thinking Young Mister Charles NZ was dropping off. The move appeared to work, as Gleeson at that moment went for home.

It might be easy when discussing or writing about tactics to talk about the need to keep a cool head when the big money is up for grabs. In practice, the craving to strike heedlessly for home is so strong that many races are lost by a finishing effort made too early than too late. Perhaps this might have been the case with the Ausdrill Inter Dominion Grand Final, or perhaps the long and arduous schedule was catching up with Sunshine Band who had worked hard early from its wide barrier draw. For whatever reason, it was the much fresher Young Mister Charles NZ who came on the strongest when Morris pulled the horse out and attacked the leader in the home straight, racing their way into the record books.

Sunshine Band with Gleeson characteristically with his body leaning out the back of the sulky, was beaten by two metres, with Master Musician NZ a further four metres away third. Chris Gleeson took the defeat manfully when congratulating Morris. The gesture was to earn the respect of the winning driver, who told the media he believed there was not one bit of false praise from the man Sydney fans often knew as the "Colgate Kid" because of his wide smile and perfect teeth.

Robert Dunn said he was pleased with his horse’s effort in finishing third, while Peter Jones said Desperate Comment NZ simply was not good enough on the night. Fred Kersley (Tabaret NZ) and Chris Lewis (Ginger Man NZ) said they were travelling well when their horses were put out of business in that scrimmage started by Sunshine Band.

Gloucester Park was becoming a happy hunting ground for the winning reinsman, as it was in Perth 20 years earlier that Peter Morris had won the inaugural Australasian Junior Drivers Series. While Frank Scarvilli held the trophy high for the large crowd to get a better view, driver Morris was making sure Garry Hancock was not missing out on savouring this special moment in the national spotlight. "While I guess you can feel sorry for Dennis (Wilson) not being here to enjoy this success, you cannot take anything away from Garry. He deserves the credit because he has done a fantastic job with this horse," he added.

There are occasions when you get a race that simply makes you wonder at the power, glory and the courage of the standardbred, the fastest form of equine transportation in the world. And added to this spectacle under the bright lights of Gloucester Park was the culmination of planning by a trainer and reinsman that had achieved the ultimate. For the horseman with the permanent disability of a curved spine, this trainer has never stood taller than that moment between WA Premier Richard Court and AHRC President Dr. Ern Manea. It seems the ability to succeed runs in the Hancock family.

The Ausdrill Inter Dominion Diamond Jubilee was in many ways a great success for the WATA. And in securing the major sponsorship for an outlay of just $1000 for that winning ticket, Ausdrill had backed a real winner - and so had the WATA. It is worth quoting from the company’s newsletter sent out the following month to its staff and shareholders, how delighted Ausdrill was with its success.

"As all of those who attended any of the heats and the Grand Final will know, it was a great carnival every night at Gloucester Park, so much so that the fortnight has not only become one of the highlights of the calendar for Ausdrill, but also ranks as the most enjoyable event this company has experienced. It enabled the name of Ausdrill to reach way beyond the boundaries of the mining industry. Ausdrill plans to continue its relationship with harness racing and the WATA," it reported.

The Inter Dominion was founded 60 years ago to provide the industry with a prestigious event that would stand above all other carnivals in Australasia. It has done that extremely well down through the years. But times do change, and can we rest on such laurels?

This time honoured event might soon feel under siege with the announcement of one of the Grand Circuit races now to provide more prizemoney than the Inter Dominion. But how can one value prestige? The annual Inter Dominion Carnival is the only one in the southern hemisphere that can attract more than 6000 interstate and New Zealand visitors. And it should not be forgotten that the major carnival in North America, the Little Brown Jug, races for stakes of around $500,000, with the prestige of the best competing that makes this the event it has long been.

AHRC President Dr. Ern Manea, in reviewing this past season, said how no industry or sporting body should ever sit still and look back on its success. He pointed out how we are faced with the problem in stability of our State authorities which thoroughbred bodies free of State Government intervention do not have to contend with. "Perhaps harness racing’s biggest national issue has been the changes continually being made to authorities in some States. When a Government changes, it is also likely to make changes to an authority put in office by the previous Government. This has been a cross we have had to bear."