Lovemeto NZ and Kerryn Manning winning a 2026 Inter Dominion heat
JUST days after her 50th birthday, the trail-blazing Kerryn Manning is still breaking records.
Manning, who boasts almost 4500 wins, will partner Lovemeto in her 17th drive in the Inter Dominion trotting final at Albion Park on Saturday night.
That will break the tie she holds with the late, great Gavin Lang on 16 for the most drives in the final by an Australian.
Only Kiwi Hall of Famers Tony Herlihy and Anthony Butt have driven in more on 19.
Breaking records is a staple diet for Manning, who burst onto the scene as a teenager and won a string of Australian Drivers’ Premierships.
She became the first female to drive the winner of the iconic NZ Cup in 2015 on Arden Rooney, a pacer she also trained.
Back in 1997, Manning became only the second female to drive a European Group 1 winner when great trotter Knight Pistol, trained by her father Peter, took out the Harley Davidson Trot in Norway.
The hunger for more records remains.
“Wow, 17 finals. I knew I’d driven in a few, but not that many,” Manning said. “Growing up, the Inter Dominion is the race you dream of winning. I’ve come close a few times, but it would be amazing to win one.”
Manning came closest when runner-up on former champion trotting mare La Coocaracha in the 2002 Sydney final.
She also finished third twice on Knight Pistol in 1997 and ’98.
“It’s great just to be part of it again,” she said. “I started to get a bit excited after Lovemeto won his heat the other night, especially the way he won and what he overcame.
“Chris (Svanosio, trainer) did a great job to change a few things and turn him around from not handling the track at all the previous week.”
But a tricky inside back row draw (gate eight) has made things harder for Lovemeto in the final, especially with local star Gus drawn ideally in gate two.
“It’s not ideal because he’s stronger than he is fast, but then again, being on the pegs (inside) will help him handle the track and if it’s truly run and he gets clear late, there won’t be many stronger in the finish,” Manning said.
“The more I look at it, I don’t mind it. We’re just going to rely on a lot more luck than if we’d drawn to lead or race right up on the speed.”
Lovemeto is one of three finalists for Victorian Svanosio, headed by defending champion Arcee Phoenix. He also has the much-improved Gotfeelingsyouknow.
There are seven Victorians in the 13-horse trotting final. The others are David Miles’ star mare Rockinwithattitude, Eddie Tappe’s warhorse Im Bobby and the Terang-based Team Lee’s pair Jilliby Dreamlover and Keayang Stuka.
Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp
