Sanderson’s two-pronged attack in this year’s Inter Dominion

Twenty Victorian-trained horses are gearing up for the 2024 Inter Dominion carnival in New South Wales, with the first round of heats set to kick-off this Friday at Newcastle.

Murchison North-based conditioner Shane Sanderson is aiming for his second Group 1 victory, launching a two-pronged attack in the pacing series with his horses Perfect Stride (heat one) and Dangerous (heat two).

“I’m happy with both horses,” Sanderson said. “With the right draw and the right run I think they can be thereabouts. Both horses have drawn pretty average, but Perfect Stride looks to have the best chance in the first round of heats.”

With some big names such as Leap To Fame and Swayzee missing from this year’s prestigious series, the competition has become wide open.

“The horses will be heading up on Thursday and staying at Menangle,” Sanderson added.

The 2024 Inter Dominion series has three rounds of heats. The first will be run over 2030 metres at Newcastle on November 29, the second, covering a shorter 1730-metre distance, will take place at Bathurst on December 4, before the last stretches to 2300 metres at Menangle on December 7. Points will be awarded based on finishing positions in these heats, with the top pacers and trotters advancing to respective 2300-metre grand finals at Menangle on December 14.

With races spread across three locations throughout New South Wales on four back-to-back dates, the series requires endurance and will test the durability of each horse.

“It’s a bit of an unknown for both horses. I am tipping that they will be fine,” Sanderson said. “The series is winnable.”

The other Victorian runners contesting the series are listed below: