Many of New Zealand’s leading horsemen are set to lobby Addington for a review of the format of next season’s Inter-Dominion series.  And champion driver Anthony Butt is adamant the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club should listen to the elite horsemen in the business before making their final decision.  Butt, President of the Canterbury branch of the Horsemen’s Association, was surprised at recent reports that the Addington series next year will comprise just two rounds of Heats, over 2600m mobile, and then the Finals.

He believed many horsemen would like a return to the three rounds in a week, with a middle round over a mile at Ashburton on the Tuesday.  And after canvassing his fellow horsemen, Butt says the response has been overwhelming.  “If I have spoken to a hundred horsemen, and it would be close to that number; almost every single one wants three rounds of Heats,” said Butt.

“At the moment the club is talking about two rounds of Heats over 2600m, and I agree that if you are to run three rounds of Heats that you couldn’t run two rounds of 2600m either side.
“But the most popular format from all the horsemen I have spoken to would be 1950m Heats the first night, miles at Ashburton on the Tuesday and then 2600m Heats on the final night.”
Butt says while that would mark a return to the great Inter-Dominion traditions, it’s not why he is touting the idea.  “The tradition of the Inters is great but I support change as much as anybody, so it is not about the tradition.  “The problem with two rounds of Heats is that half the horses have no chance.  “You draw bad or have no luck on the first night and you might as well say your series is over.

“Most of the horses who went to Newcastle on Saturday night had no chance of making the Final after just one Heat.”  Butt says that made the logistics and expenses of an Inter-Dominion campaign impractical.  “I am sure if they only have two rounds of Heats next year then a lot of Australians won’t come,” says Butt. “It means that luck plays too big a role, and also there is less chance for the lower-ranked horses to get any money out of the trip.”  Butt acknowledges suggestions that the traditional series may deter trainers of 4-year-olds from contesting the series, but says that hasn’t helped this season.

“We only have two rounds of Heats this season and where are the 4-year-olds?”  Butt chaired a meeting of the Canterbury horsemen last Wednesday and says there was unanimous support for three rounds in a week next year.  He then ventured to Alexandra Park on Friday night and canvassed most of the north’s leading trainers, receiving the same response.  “The big-name guys up here - Barry, Mark, David Butcher, they are all behind the three rounds.”  Butt says he knows the Ashburton club is keen to run the middle round of Heats next year and that option does appeal as a wonderful marketing idea, with a twilight mile-only meeting for Australasia’s best pacers and trotters on our fastest track, giving the meeting the appeal of a open class Harness Jewels meeting.

“I know there are things to be discussed before decisions like this are made, but we are simply asking the club to sit down with the horsemen and listen to them before making a final decision.  “I think we have a real chance to run a great Inter-Dominion, and I would hate to see that wasted.”