The Kiwis are coming to our Inter Dominion and having some WA flavour would really top things off.

And the odds of that happening are shortening by the day.

WA’s pin-up pacer Magnificent Storm is back in work and even his conservative trainer Ray Williams admitted Victoria was looking “more and more likely.”

Magnificent Storm boasts 23 wins from just 31 starts and that record would be even better were it not for a niggling hoof issue which hampered him at the worst possible time during the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups earlier this year.

But all that’s history now.

Magnificent Storm was right back to his stunning best winning four of his five runs through a “cameo” winter campaign.

While Williams took a break at his beloved Bali, Magnificent Storm had a break of his own.

“We loved getting back to Bali and, by the looks of him, he loved his break, too,” Williams laughed.

“He was kicking and bucking when we picked him up after three weeks off. He’s back into it at home now.”

So, how likely is an Inter Dominion raid and what’s the plan?

“The plan? It’s to nominate for the Inter Dominion for sure, then to have three or four runs here.

“If the time comes to go across and he’s right at the top of his game, then we’ll go,” Williams said.

“All the owners want to go, my son (top thoroughbred trainer Grant Williams) wants the horse to go … maybe I’m getting too old, I’m the only one who still needs convincing.”

Williams admitted he is somewhat conflicted.

“Look, I just couldn’t possibly go across for two weeks or so myself. I’ve got a couple of really nice four-year-olds in Ezana and Stamford and the big four-year-old races here about the same time,” he said.

But there is a fascinating solution.

Grant Williams, a very successful harness trainer before switching to the thoroughbreds, has put his hand up to take Magnificent Storm to Victoria and look after him until his Dad can get across.

“Grant’s been keen, very keen, for more than a month,” Ray said.

“Everyone says at my stage of life, I simply have to go and have a crack at an Inter Dominion.

“It would be fantastic, but there are also races worth a total of $1.1 million for him in his own back backyard between now and the end of January.

“I know he can go to the Inter Dominion and be back here for the big ones (Fremantle and WA Cups), but there’s an element of risk in taking him away.”

Williams says it’s a 50/50 call right now … but those close to him say it’s more like 80/20 in favour of going to Victoria.

Let’s hope Magnificent Storm returns in the form he showed mid-year and twists Williams’ arm.

The Inter Dominion was born in WA back in 1936 and WA horses have such a proud record in it.

They’ve won nine of the past 40 pacing finals, most recently when Im Themightyquinn completed his three-peat at Menangle in 2013.

It would be fitting and special to see WA’s best pacer taking on this year’s series.

The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.