As I start to write this report, I am conscious that none of the delegates present at my first Council meeting remain as members, in spite of the fact that my own participation has been only a few short years.  It is obviously that the turnover of representatives is high and while this may be no bad thing in that it ensures against the Council becoming too entrenched and inflexible, it does make it difficult to understand the rationale behind some of the policies, which present delegates have inherited. The minutes accurately spell out what has been decided but the arguments and background information is no longer available.

It is notable that in recent times the Council has adopted a very flexible position with regard to the way in which Principal Clubs conduct the Inter Dominion.  I am sure this is desirable and may ultimately provide to be one of the great strengths of the organisation as it does allow for a maximum of innovation and an attitude of aggressive development. This is probably necessary given the fierce competition, which exists, in the entertainment field these days.

Clubs have pioneered new formats while still retaining enough of the traditions of the Inter Dominion to ensure a continuation, through not necessarily an enhancement of its reputation.  I suspect that we are entering an era when variations on the basic format of the carnival will occur from location to location, and while that is probably a sensible way of maximising performance in the light of local experience it will become increasingly important that the established status of the event is not damaged in the process.

Conducting Clubs are of necessity becoming particularly shrewd at designing a Carnival, which is both attractive and practical, but it is in the area of promotion (and not just local promotion) that I feel that we may be selling ourselves a little short.  We need to market our product more effectively; we need to advertise and promote annually, not just where the event is being held, but across Australasia.  Significant betting on the Inter Dominion occurs in all States and with the very good exposure that we can so easily gain, it appears to me that an Australasian promotion could reap real benefits, not only in terms of total betting, but in enhancing the reputation and prestige of the Championships.  Too often Principal Clubs have difficulties attracting sponsors as the Carnival is seen as a one in eight year event.   If we could market on an annual basis, this perception might be overcome and the attracting of Corporate support made substantially easier.  With modern communication there is no reason why the Inter Dominion Championships should be substantially limited to the State in which it is held, and it should be possible for the non-conducting States to harvest a better return if they are prepared to promote more aggressively.

This year’s Inter Dominion Championship in Queensland was notable for being very effectively planned and conducted.

It is usual for some problem to emerge out of left field, but it appeared to me that on this occasion the whole event ran on well-oiled wheels.  The inclusion of a Trotters Championship was a bold move and one that I am sure was greatly appreciated by the other States, which conduct a Championship for Trotters as well as Pacers.  I congratulate both the Albion Park Harness Racing Club and the Queensland Harness Racing Board on a very successful Carnival.

In the area of Australia/New Zealand Co-operation, some gains have been achieved.  Both the Auckland Trotting Club and the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club have adopted the Inter Dominion system for all mobile start races.  This was not possible without a change to the Rules of Harness Racing, which has now taken place.  Almost all Group 1 Races in New Zealand now meet the Australian criteria and the need to align the remaining races has been recognised. 

While all States recognise the desirability of eliminating differences in Rules and their interpretation and much progress has been made in this direction, the differences in the economics of racing in Australia and New Zealand continues to make complete integration unlikely.  However this is no reason for not examining all outstanding differences with a view to aligning both Countries’ Regulations as closely as possible.  The advantages of encouraging horses to travel regularly between all States and compete under a set of conditions with which all trainers are familiar, is too great to be ignored, and the harness racing code is strengthened each time an agreement to standardise a particular Rule is achieved.

It is pleasing to see the number of mares that are being bred to stallions that are domiciled on the opposite side of the Tasman.  The liberal regime, which has been established in this area, has been a great benefit to breeders and has improved the economics of importing better class stallions.  Breeders have probably never been as well off in this respect. 

Although progress in all areas affecting Australasia co-operation has been slow, the willingness to work together has resulted in some definite improvements.

My thanks are due to the Albion Park Harness Racing Club and the Queensland Harness Racing Board for the hospitality they extended to Members of the Council and their wives during the Toast.Com Inter Dominion Championships. T hanks are also due to Mr Rod Pollock and his staff for their efficient services during the year.  Other officials of the Council have also performed their duties with great credit, and I look forward to seeing them again at the Annual General Meeting in Melbourne.

Tony Abell
President.