1983 Interdominions - Pacers' 1st Heat, Alexandra Park, Auckland: Wondai's Mate

[@tonysultan862]

My favourite horse. When I was a kid I collected newspaper stories on Wondaismate to put in a scrapbook. I would also record his races onto a cassette. I have races on that cassette that arn't on youtube. Such a great horse he was the first Queensland horse to win a Interdominion heat.

[@brendonoconnor4484]

Yes what a great horse, surely Wondai's Mate wasn't the first QLD horse to win an inter heat? Lucky Creed I am sure won a heat or two back in early 70's.?

[@kidmillion2552]

Super little horse this bloke

[@iangrant1932]

Thanks for the comment. Wondai's Mate came to the carnival with a great record (as shown above) and won well on the first two nights. He dropped out to 8th on the third night in Armalight's fast-run victory and then locked wheels with Rain Girl and Bonnie's Chance with 600 metres to run in the Grand Final, driver Darryl Reinke being dislodged from the sulky. He served better than that, but that's racing.

[@kidmillion2552]

@@iangrant1932 As far as I’m concerned this era was the Absolute halcyon days of harness racing and Wondai’s Mate was only a few lengths off Poppy & Gamma pound for pound and that was Huge. Only a little fella but a giant motor. Wow

[@tonysultan862]

@@kidmillion2552 Yes it really was the golden years of harness racing but now the industry has been ruined by whip rules and no oncourse bookmakers. The excitement has gone from the sport.

[@kidmillion2552]

@@tonysultan862 absolutely I agree mate✅

[@marknorris1381]

I remember seeing him win a two year old feature race at (the old) Albion Park and topple a couple of southern visitors in the process. It was an indication of things to come. He wasn't a big horse, but a great performer. If memory serves me correct his sire was The Houseman.