The bright lights will shine directly on Australasian harness racing’s showcase night, with the SENTrack Inter Dominion finals to feature on Racing.com’s free-to-air channels 78 and 68 as well as Sky Racing and TrotsVision.
The royal broadcast treatment will be given to the rich race card at Melton on December 10, when two more trots’ immortals will emerge in the pacing and trotting championships to etch their names alongside the likes of Gammalite, Blacks A Fake, Sundons Gift and Pride Of Petite.
Can Emma Stewart’s five-pronged attack deliver Victoria’s leading stable its first Inter Dominion? Or will Belinda McCarthy’s team avenge last year’s stunning pacing upset? And Are Victoria’s trotters, led by Just Believe and Queen Elida, able to stop the irrepressible Kiwi Bolt For Brilliance?
The answers to these big questions will play out to a huge audience both on track and at home, with a Group 1 team assembled to oversee broadcast proceedings.
Outstanding race caller Dan Mielicki will be joined on Racing.com’s free-to-air channels and TrotsVision by Ryan Phelan, Adam Hamilton and Michael Guerin, who will be at the desk, while Gareth Hall will roam the grounds, Jason Bonnington will take command of the parade ring and Shannon O’Sullivan will deliver her late mail.
Mielicki will also be able to enjoyed as always on Sky Racing, where Brittany Graham will capture the all-important final word from drivers before the gates open.
HRV interim CEO Fiona Mellor said the Inter Dominion was harness racing’s flagship series and it was terrific fans would be able to take it in with the all-star coverage it deserves.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than the Inter Dominion; the build-up has been immense and the excitement at fever pitch, so it’s great that we are going to be able to celebrate the crowning of two champions to such a wide audience,” Mellor said.
“Partnering with Racing.com, including at the past Hunter and Victoria Cups, has helped us share our greatest moments with a wide audience and I’m excited that will happen again on their free-to-air channels on December 10 as well as TrotsVision.
“It’s terrific to also have Brittany Graham on course as part of the Sky Racing team, particularly in her dual role as presenter but also driver of her beloved Majestic Harry, who’s raced so well in the trotting series.”
Phelan, TrotsVision host and broadcast manager, said the series had lived up to all expectations and was set for an unforgettable finale.
“It’s been a terrific two nights of racing at Ballarat and Shepparton, where we’ve seen the likes of Honolua Bay, Act Now, Queen Elida and Just Believe arrive at Grand Circuit level,” Phelan said.
“It has the series tantalisingly poised as we head to Geelong on Saturday, when we’ll have a terrific broadcast team on TrotsVision to ride every bump and break down the ramifications.
“From Saturday night we will get our fields of 12 for the all-important barrier draws, which will be a great way to kick off finals week and build up to the crowning of two more champions.”
The ID22 finals barrier draws will be at Albert Park and streamed live from 7.30pm on Monday on Sky Racing 2 and TrotsVision, with Phelan to be joined by Graham and leading participants to dissect the drama as it unfolds.
The analysis will then continue on Racing.com’s channels on Wednesday at 8.15pm (and replayed on Thursday at 10pm), when Phelan, Hamilton and Guerin will dive into the championship fields, talk to the key players and deliver their best bets for a special ID22 preview show.
And then the focus turns to finals night at Melton on December 10, when coverage on Racing.com’s channels 78 and 68 and TrotsVision kicks off at 6pm.
Trots fans can also whet their appetite for the big race nights, with TrotsVision.com.au to host extensive lead-ins to broadcasts this Saturday night at Geelong and next Saturday at Melton, featuring preview shows including Insiders, Burning Questions and Josh Jenkins’ Harnessed, Rob Auber’s Legends Series and key replays from the preceding heats and of past winners.
And this year’s Inter Dominion is also a feast for the ears as well as eyes, with outstanding coverage on SENTrack throughout the week and on race nights. Steve Cleave will join Damo Watson for live coverage of the Geelong heats, while Josh Jenkins will headline the championship night coverage.
The series has also been profiled extensively on RSN 927, including a roving host on race nights bringing all the winning words and latest news as well as Craig Rail’s top tips.
“Be sure to strap yourself in for more terrific nights of racing, whether it be on or off the track,” Mellor said. “We’ve waited four long years to have the Inter Dominion back in Victoria and we are keen to soak it up and make every moment count.”