Oscar's Inter berth sparks debate

NEW Zealand trotter Oscar Bonavena gaining a position in Saturday night's Inter Dominion Final has been the catalyst for an interesting discussion and debate.

Considered a leading prospect before the series began at Albion Park on July 5, Oscar Bonavena raced well below his best, finishing seventh and sixth during the qualifying rounds.

Thanks to the reintroduction of points being earned based on certain individual times for this year's edition, the Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained squaregaiter was boosted up the list and into the $500,000 Final.

Oscar Bonavena amassed 13 race points, but gained an additional three points for the fastest last half and quarter, clearing a pathway into the Group One decider.

While a points-based result is well and good, it does beg the question on whether the Inter Dominion's honour roll needs to be corrected.

During the Inter Dominion's formative years the champion was decided on points - not necessarily which competitor won the Final.

As such, Evicus was declared the inaugural champion in Perth in 1936 despite the fact she was winless during the three heats and Final!

Like Oscar Bonavena, Evicus earned more points by running quicker times from her 24-yard handicap than Logan Derby - which began from the front line - did, even with a clean sweep of the heats and Final.

Evicus finished second in the Final.

It was a similar case in New Zealand two years later, with Parisienne runner-up behind Pot Luck in the decider, but declared the champion via points.

Unlike Evicus, however, Parisienne won her three heats from a 12-yard handicap before being pushed back to 24 yards in the Final, where she was beaten by two yards.

Ironically four years after his clean sweep failed to secure the title of Inter Dominion champion, Logan Derby was bestowed the crown.

With the series back in Perth, Logan Derby was fifth in the Final captured by Grand Mogul.

Logan Derby won his second round heat, while Grand Mogul also secured his third round qualifying from the front row.

Competing from a 36-yard handicap, Logan Derby earned more points thanks to his times.

Evicus, Parisienne and Logan Derby were listed on the Inter Dominion honour roll for decades before it was decided to change history by ignoring the rules and judge's decision and replacing the trio with the Final winners.

Technically the national website's honour roll is that of "Grand Final winners", however, in the absence of an asterix leading to an explanation - such as the ones noted for the two disqualifications, the 1965 dead-heat and the 2021 steward's decision - the true pacers declared Inter Dominion champion are being lost.

This was evidenced by an article published on the national website last week which simply noted "the inaugural series winner was Logan Derby for trainer Harry Barnes and driver Jim Agnew".

While it may appear strange a race winner didn't head home with the championship belt, the fact remains, those were the rules of the day and should not be altered by future generations.

For argument sake, if Oscar Bonavena wins the Final, would it be reasonable for administrators in years to come to declare him ineligible for the race due to his bonus points from the heats and begin listing the runner-up on the honour roll because they disagree with the conditions of the time?

The Inter Dominion's has been altered on so many occasions during the past 90 years, but the conditions and format from each edition must be recognised and accepted.