On 15th of December, representatives of New South Wales Mini Trotting Association (NSW MTA) dominated the Mini Trots Inter Dominion 2018 (ID18) held at Tabcorp Park Melton in the state of Victoria, winning in Midget/Miniature, Shetland, and Ponies divisions.
Congratulations to the NSW Mini Trots members for placing 1st on their respective division.
Midget Division: Pay The Aces driven by Mason Beresford Shetland Division: Secret Mission driven by Jemma Howard-Coney Ponies Division: Velvets Little Star driven by Grace Panella
Mini Trots Inter Dominion 2018 (ID18) are Mason Beresford & Pay The Aces (Midget/Miniature Division), Jemma Howard Coney & Secret Mission (Shetland Division), Grace Panella & Velvets Little Star (Pony Division)
Mini Trots Inter Dominion 2018 (ID18) Midget / Miniature Division winner, Pay The Aces driven by Mason Beresford
Mini Trots Inter Dominion 2018 (ID18) Shetland Division winner, Secret Mission driven by Jemma Howard Coney
Mini Trots Inter Dominion 2018 (ID18) Pony Division winner, Velvets Little Star driven by Grace Panella
NSW MTA executive officers selected 6 members to represent NSW in the Mini Trots ID18. Mason Beresford with "Pay The Aces" (Menangle Park Mini Trots) and Mia McMillan with "Midnight Express" competed in the Midget / Miniature division. Jayla Beresford with "Nidya" (Menangle Park Mini Trots) and Jemma Howard Coney (Shoalhaven Mini Trots) contended in the Shetland Division. And lastly, Grace Panella with "Velvets Little Star" and Chloe Formosa with "Lumberjack Willie" raced on the Pony Division.
Not only NSW MTA members took home the first place in the three divisions, 2 of the members won 2nd place as well. Jayla Beresford was able to win 2nd place in the Shetland Division driving "Nidya", and Chloe Formosa finished a strong 2nd, behind teammate Grace Panella, driving Lumberjack Willie.
Mini Trots Inter Dominion 2018 (ID18) Shetland Division 2nd Placer, Nidya driven by Jayla Beresford
Though did not place, Mia McMillan finished 5th on the Midget Division driving Midnight Express, a former Mini Trots Inter Dominion champion. Mia, age 7, is one of the youngest competitor in the Mini Trots ID18.
Mini Trots Inter Dominion 2018 (ID18) Midget / Miniature Division 5th Placer, Midnight Express driven by Mia McMillan
NSW MTA representatives to Mini Trots ID18 qualified to represent the NSW by competing and attending their local clubs activities. And they all demonstrated they were the right members to represent NSW MTA.
MINI TROTS
NSW Mini Trotting Association has 11 clubs across the state of NSW, namely, Albury Mini Trots, Bathurst Mini Trots, Capital Region Mini Trots, Dubbo Mini Trots, Leeton Mini Trots, Menangle Mini Trots, Newcastle Maitland Mini Trots, Penrith Nepean Mini Trots, Riverina Mini Trots, Shoalhaven Mini Trots, and Tamworth Mini Trots. All year round, these local clubs conduct gala days and race days. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 are most welcome to be members of any club. One of the objectives of the sports of Mini Trots is to help kids develop interest in the harness racing sport at an early age.
INTER DOMINION
Inter Dominion (ID) championships is one of the world's great harness racing series, and is the premier harness racing event for both Australia and New Zealand. The series started in 1936, and the hosts of the series was rotated between the harness racing clubs of Australia and of New Zealand. Mini Trotters, across Australia and New Zealand, got on-board with Inter Dominion Championship, and competed in their own league, the Mini Trotters Inter Dominion.
Participating mini trots members from Pony Trots Victoria had to compete in heats to earn points in order to advance to finals. Mini Trots members from other states, such as NSW MTA, had to select representatives to go on to the Finals.