The Inter Dominion Championship
is one of the world's great harness racing series. Currently
organised by the Inter Dominion Events Committee, with
representatives from both Australia and New Zealand, it is the
premier harness racing event for those countries.
First established in 1935-36, the
Championship’s basic protocol of three Heats and a Final remained
unchanged until 2008 when a bold initiative linked the format with the Australasian Grand Circuit. This
change did not gain popularity, and after other variations
in 2009-11, the original format returned in 2012.
For 2013-15, an approach involving seven
heats held concurrently on major tracks in Australia and New Zealand
was adopted to revitalise the series, and the Trotting Championship
was discontinued.
The Inter Dominion Championships were historically
held on a
yearly roster
covering Australian States and New Zealand (NZ), but for 2013-15 the
Pacers Championship was awarded to New South Wales (NSW), followed
by Western Australia (2015-2017) where the original three heats and
a final format was revived. This will continue through 2018-2026,
with Victoria, NSW and NZ as co-hosts, and a reinstated Trotting
Championship on the programme.
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