The Inter Dominion series looks set to return to Newcastle Paceway next year, a decade after the Broadmeadow track last hosted qualifiers for the coveted group 1 crown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Harness Racing NSW chairman Rod Smith told participants at the recent HRNSW awards in Sydney that Newcastle and Bathurst were set to host qualifying rounds of the series, which returns to Menangle in 2020. A formal announcement is yet to be made.
The November-December series, this year to be held in Auckland, brings together the best pacers and trotters in Australasia.
Three rounds of three $30,000 pacing heats are held with a $50,000 consolation final and a $500,000 group 1 grand final. Trotters have three rounds of two $20,000 heats before a $150,000 decider.
Newcastle hosted heats in 2002 and 2010.
At Menangle on Sunday, 2017 Newcastle horse of the year Takara Truffle will shoot for three consecutive wins as she continues her return from injury for trainers Aaron Goadsby and Mark Jones.
The six-year-old mare won at the track on October 12, after a victory at Tamworth, and she will again start from gate one in race five.
Meanwhile, Black Silhouette is favourite to take away horse of the year honours at the Newcastle and Hunter Valley harness racing awards at Telarah Bowling Club on Saturday night.
Trained by Sam Dimarco at Brandy Hill, Black Silhouette was the only group 1 winner from the Hunter last season, taking out the 4YO mares Breeders Challenge decider at Menangle in June.
