Leading the way by numbers in the 2026 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship is Queensland trainer Graham Dwyer, who has six amongst the list of 53 trotters nominated.
Dwyer was involved for the first time as a trainer in an Inter Dominion series last year with Not As Promised progressing to the Grand Final.
The dual Group 1 champion finished eighth behind Arcee Phoenix last July and the six-year-old will once again headline the team’s assault on the championship.
“I have put six in this year after a pleasing result in 2025 and with it being in our own backyard, we have to try to make the most of it,” Dwyer said of his nominations.
“Not As Promised is the main one, he has been such a good horse for our stable. He has given me two Group 1 wins and taken me to New Zealand.
“It has not been the best season so far with him, but he is showing the right signs recently which has me hopeful.”
While it has been a mixed season for the Albion Park track record holder and 2025 ID runner, the gelding has still won two races and placed on four occasions from nine starts.
Not As Promised made an error at his latest start. Dwyer is working closely with the horse ahead of the Queensland Constellations.
“Last week was not ideal, but we have time on our side, so it is not something we need to address immediately," Dwyer said.
“Over the past few weeks I have been tinkering with his shoeing, just trying to get him trotting comfortably. We are winning that battle."
Not As Promised was crowned the Australian three-year-old trotter of the year following the 2023 season.
In this week’s trotting event, Dwyer will have Ikigai starting off the front mark.
The five-year-old mare will be having just her second start since arriving in Queensland and she has quickly impressed Dwyer.
“Her form does not read great, but I have nominated her in the Inters, as well,” he said.
“I really hope we can unlock her potential, because at home she has been working terrifically.
“If we can find the rhythm and keep her balanced, I think she can be a huge improver over the next couple of months.
“She is the best trotter in trackwork I have in the team at the moment.”
Ikigai is owned in the same interests as Nellie Joy, who is another trotting mare that Dwyer is hopeful can make the top 24 cut-off for the Inter Dominion Championship.
A winner of six races this season, Nellie Joy has been progressing through her grades since arriving on a low rating.
“It has been a great season for her and her manners and consistency have been wonderful," the trainer said.
“I know she needs to take another few steps up, but the best thing about her is that she follows speed so well."
The other three nominated for the series are Darcys Fireball, Eurokash and Koda Da Moda.
Eurokash made the 2025 Consolation and finished second behind Aldebaran Acrux.
However, Dwyer is in a race against time to have the eight-year-old ready for this year’s championship.
“The University at Gatton will be going over him in the next couple of weeks," he said.
“Once we know the outcome, then we can decide if it's full steam ahead to another Inters with him.”
