KEY POINTS:
The most-anticipated Interdominion series in a decade looks set to be moved to a provincial track.
That is the suggestion coming out of Australia, with next year's series in March likely to be held at the Gold Coast track in Queensland.
Harness racing bosses are expected to announce this week the series will head there instead of the Albion Park track in Brisbane, where it was scheduled to be staged.
Albion Park is in need of major redevelopment and was closed last month.
While it could be fixed up in time for the Interdominions, that would only be a stop-gap measure which would improve facilities that may not survive the longer-term redevelopment.
Senior officials are reluctant to spend money on such a short-term solution so the Herald understands a venue change is certain.
The two options are the new Menangle track in New South Wales or the smaller, quaint Gold Coast facility, which usually holds meetings with crowds far smaller than 1000 people.
NSW harness racing bosses were not against holding the series next year but with the parochial nature of racing it looks certain to stay in Queensland so the Gold Coast is now the hot favourite.
The series, which starts on March 14 - just a week after the Auckland Cup - is shaping as one of the great modern-day Interdominions.
Local hero Blacks A Fake will be attempting to become the first four-time Interdominion winner and would be the logical favourite in any early market.
But he will have to contend with fellow big-name Aussies like Divisive, 1:51.9 mile record-holder Smoken Up, a rejuvenated Be Good Johnny and Lombo Pocket Watch
And the New Zealand assault could be one of the most potent in years, with Changeover, Monkey King and Gotta Go Cullen likely contenders, along with Auckland Reactor who is still a chance to make the series.
And the series will be boosted further by a number of North American pacers who will also contest the new World Cup of Pacing, which will be held at Menangle two weeks later.
Already a team of six US pacers have been named for the World Cup, including two with sub 1:49 mile times.
But North American pacers coming down under to contest the Interdominions have traditionally struggled and the latest bunch face an uphill battle to be competitive against an Australasian open class blessed with at least six genuine superstars.