Blacks a Fake - 2007 InterDominion Pacing Champ

Globe Derby Park

Last Saturday we went to watch the Interdominion Harness Racing Grand Final at Globe Derby Park, about a 30 minute drive from home. I'd never been to the races before. There were already a few people there when we got there.

The on-course concessions (above) and betting shops (below) were already humming along nicely. It would become hard to move in this area between races as the night wore on, but at around 5.30 pm it was still all pretty mellow.

The Back Straight

The evenings not all about betting and eating though, there's a race roughly every 30 minutes. In this photo, taken from where we'd parked our car on-course (very handy as a 'home base' for a long evening), 'Simplybeat Dechill' leads 'Roseworthy Lad' and 'Luck Moth' up the back straight and shows them in Race 2 that size isn't everything. 'Lucky Moth', by the way, went on to win at over 20 to 1, thus becoming our first successful bet.

Track Maintenance

The track has to be maintained between races. This is done by means of tractor and truck. The tractor drags a 'flail' of chains along, smoothing the sand for the next race. The truck is a water truck, lays down a spray to keep down the dust. Both vehicles rip around the track at the same time, occasionally in opposite directions. Which made for an interesting stunt show in itself for those that were watching.

First Final Prelude

Before we knew it we were up to Race 5 - the first of two finals on the card. The Seelite Windows & Doors InterDominion Trotting Final was worth $200,000 to the winner. It was preceeded with some ceremony, led off by local Kindguard Cavalry. They look real friendly, don't they?

A local cheerleading club then provided an escort to each horse as it entered the arena. Lined up, quite impressive.

There was the smell of finals in the evening air and the crowd, which had been steadily growing all the while, were beginning to get quite involved. No doubt there was some big money floating around by now - but we kept up our barrage of $1 bets.

2007 InterDominion Trotting Final

The trotting final was over 2645m from a 'standing start' (= rolling start under the new safety conscious rules). There was a lot of jockeying for position in the first couple laps (above). The winning driver, whose name I can't recall, threw up his hands as he crossed the line in the usual harness racing close finish.

Future Assets - Race 6

Before the Big Race

I heard there were around 12,000 people that came through the gates over the evening, an excellent crowd for the sport. The numbers peaked for the seventh race, the $500,000 InterDominion Pacing Final. Beside the Kindguard cavalry and cheerleaders, the South Australian Pipes and Drums band put in an appearance. They entered playing Scotland the Brave, followed up with Waltzing Matilda. Being married in a kilt in Scotland, I thought this was pretty cool!
And just in case you forgot that we were watching flesh and bone hurtling around the track, the ambulance did a few warmup laps with the horses.

2007 Interdominion Pacing Final

The dusk had reached its peak during the pre-race ceremonies, and as the horses warmed up they were illuminated only by the floodlights. Above is a photo of 'Foreal' entering the main straight. I had to increase my camera's sensitivity ratings at this point, so there's a bit of digital 'noise' on the photos from here on in. Below, Reba Raja puts on a burst on the second lap.

'Blacks a Fake' came home as the favorite, for her second InterDominion championship in a row. She was a mare driven by a female jockey, making for a remarkably popular victory.

After the race her owners received their prize money and their trophy, seen held here by their representative (centre) being interviewed for cable tv after the win. Doesn't he look excited?

City of Salisbury - Race 9

Final Race and Summing Up

The Drivers are pretty gutsy people. They kept putting themselves on the line long after most of the crowd had left following Race 7. Above, D Douglas driving 'Angel Force' plots his way through the pack in Race 10. Below, P Cavallaro takes 'Apache Blue Jean' past 'Countessa Hest' (driven by C Lang) on the last lap of the evening.
'Tough Tussle' sweeps around the pack on the same lap.

Seeing them come up the straight for the last time to the finish line made me think of chariots.

There were still several thousand people present to enjoy the final race of the night. It had been great fun, and not too expensive. Four of us spent $35 to get in, about $50 on bets (of which we won over $30 back), and maybe $15 on hot drinks (we brought a picnic hamper along with our seats and blankets).

A good night out.