Lightning struck twice at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night when the 2022 Pony Trots Victoria Inter Dominion officially kicked off.

Amelia Walliss and her pony Lightning Jack dominated, winning both of the heats in first round of qualifiers.

“It was one of the best runs he’s had,” Amelia said on TrotsVIsion.

The 12-year-old driver, who looks up to Kate Gath, has raced in a Pony Trots Inter Dominion before and her experience certainly paid off.

Stepping off a 650m handicap, Lightning Jack was keen early in the first heat, going off stride momentarily but Amelia acted quickly to get him back into a trot.

Around the home turn Lightning Jack found the front and remained there beating Riley Pace and his pony, Where's Wally, into second and Josh Holm and Ruby into third.

In the second heat, Lightning Jack was “in the zone” as racecaller Dan Mielicki described and stepped away perfectly.

Showing speed, Lightning Jack won by a big margin with the minor placings held by the same ponies and drivers as the first heat.

Matthew Craven Racing sponsored these heats and provided all competitors with a jacket and a cap.

“It’s a pleasure to be part of the pony trots,” Craven said.

“It’s where I started back in the day with my pony and some of our top drivers and trainers came through the pony trots, so it’s a real pleasure to support the kids and see the next generation come along.

“We’ve got a great bunch of kids that are keen and present their ponies really well, so just to be able to give back and support them along the way, we want to see these kids grow and become the next superstars of our industry.”

All ponies were individually timed and ranked among their height category. The series continues at Melton on November 18, before heats conclude at Shepparton on November 29, after which six Victorian representatives will go through to the Pony Trots Inter Dominion Finals on December 10.

Follow their progress and soak up all the fun via Pony Trots Victoria's Facebook page.

Pony Trots Victoria Inter Dominion Heat One:

 

Pony Trots Victoria Inter Dominion Heat Two: