Unprecedented coverage of Interdominion

Press, 11 March 1983, Page 15

Unprecedented coverage of Interdominion

This year Television NewZealand will provide unprecedented coverage of the Benson and Hedges Interdominion Pacing and Trotting Championships, which are to be held at Alexandra Park in Auckland for three weeks this month. Three hours and a quarter of continuous live coverage will be screened on TV2 on each of three successive Saturday nights (March 12. 19 and 26) with two hours of segmented coverage on Wednesday. March 16. “It’s the biggest coverage ever given to an Interdominion Championship by a television network in Australasia," said the producer, Michael Scott. “We will literally be taking over TV2 on a level unheard of except for the cricket," added Phillip Leishman. who will be acting as anchorman. Coverage on the first three nights of the carnival will pivot on the qualifying heats, building up to the grand final for the trotters on the 19th,

and the pacers on the 26th. Stakes offered during the carnival total $660,000, with the stake of $lBO,OOO on the final day being the richest offered for any horse race in New Zealand. Many top New Zealand and Australian horses will compete in the events. “The over-all standard of entry for this year’s championships is probably the best ever at-

traded in the last 20-odd years." said Leishman. "Included in Australia's large contingent are the horses Gammalite and Popular Alm. They will be competing against the outstanding mares Armalight. Bonnie's Chance, Delightful Lady and Hilarious Guest." The top Australian pacer. Gammalite. travels more kilometres to events than any other racing or trotting horse in Australasia. Last year he generated excitement by winning the Auckland Cup only hours after stepping off the aeroplane from Australia. During his career he has won nearly $BOO,OOO in stakes, while Popular Alm, regarded as Australia's best pacer and a likely wanner, has won $333,000. One of New Zealand's leading contenders and Auckland Cup winner, Armalight. will be driven by New Zealand's top driver, Peter Wolfenden, during the series. Scott and Leishman are

confident that the degree of coverage is warranted after the response to the half-hour coverage of the Auckland Cup. Rowe Cup and Great Northern Derby shown on TVI last year. But they also aim to attract viewers who would not normally be interested in trotting as a sport, by explaining, between races, what makes trotting "tick." and providing a series of backgrounders to the championships with stories on leading prospects from both countries. To this end, Scott and Leishman visited Australia recently to film a series of profiles on Gammalite and Popular Alm. and the top trotter, Scotch Notch, which is likely to prove the toughest Australian contender against New Zealand's leading entries. Thriller Dee. Jenner and Cal Brydon. Joining Leishman with commentary on the action will be John May, while Barry Holland will be providing on-the-spot interviews.