As New South Wales officials handed over the Inter Dominion hosting baton to Harness Racing Victoria for next year, it was fitting to reflect on what a triumph this year’s series had been for Victorians.

I don’t think many could have predicted the massive influence Victorian owned and/or trained horses had across the two weeks in NSW.

Capped, of course, by the Victorian owned, trained and driven Maori Law winning the trotting final and Victorian-owned Boncel Benjamin landing the pacing final in a huge upset and after a dramatic, history-making protest.

That’s without mentioning the sheer volume of Victorian horses who filled-out the trotting final and contributed to the pacing final, as well.

And it was the Victorians who created so many of the beautiful stories of this memorable series.

There was Brian Gath becoming the oldest driver to contest a final when he finished fifth aboard Illawong Stardust in the trotting final at the age of 77, some 48 years since he first drove in an Inter Dominion final.

Stawell truckie and former apprentice jockey, jumps rider and thoroughbred trainer Ray Harvey with The Penny Drops. He didn’t fire in the final, but what a story it was with the only actual racehorse Ray trains. He’s won 22 harness races as a trainer, 15 of them with The Penny Drops.

Then there was David Aiken getting another two into the pacing final with Max Delight and Malcolms Rhythm. He first contested an Inter Dominion way back in 1985 at Moonee Valley when fifth with Toby Duane.

And Maori Law’s Grand Final win for one of Victoria’s biggest and most passionate owners Fred Crews. With the extra twist of the Richard Brosnan factor. It was 42 years since he won the trotting final with No Response at Addington in NZ.

But THE story was all about the Duffy clan, headed by Steven, and the emotional connection with Boncel Benjamin.

Steven Duffy was just 21 when his father, Boncel Benjamin (known as Bill to most) Duffy, lost his life in a car accident.

He promised to himself he would name a really nice horse after his late father when one came along. That was of course Boncel Benjamin.

Despite three tendon injuries, the switch to young gun Menangle trainer Jason “Grimmo” Grimson revived Boncel Benjamin’s career.

On his way driving from Shepparton to Menangle on Saturday, Duffy stopped at his father’s grave. He told him he was going to Menangle with “his” horse to win the Inter Dominion.

And win he did.

On the way back home, Duffy stopped in again to show his Dad the trophy and sit it next to him for a while.

Remarkable stuff and a shining example of both what the Inter Dominion means and how it is without doubt THE most important and THE best thing this sport has going for it.

Let’s do EVERYTHING we can to protect, grow stakemoney and promote the Inter Dominion going ahead.

WHILE the buzz of the Inter Dominion is still lingering, how good is it that Lochinvar Art is so close to a racetrack return.

Trainer-driver David Moran picked up the rising six-year-old from Luke and Belinda McCarthy’s Cobbitty Equine and took him back to his stables near Shepparton yesterday.

He’s on target to trial before the end of the month with a view to racing mid-January. He’s got time to potentially go through races like a Shepparton Cup and/or Ballarat Cup to prepare for a Hunter Cup title defence.

“As long as we don’t have any hiccups, that’s the plan,” Moran said.

“Luke and Belinda have done a superb job with him, he looks great and he’s only about three weeks away from a trial.”

Driving Expensive Ego in the Inter Dominion final where he finished second on protest only served to remind Moran how good Lochinvar Art was and hopefully can be again.

"He'd have won that final at his top, I've got no doubt at all," he said.

Bring on the return of Arty!

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.