Passion drives veteran Gath to Inter Dom

A 77-year-old grandfather insists age will not be a barrier in a bid to capture one of the most prestigious races his sport has to offer.

Brian Gath, a legendary figure in harness racing circles, will be the centre of attention in Australian racing when he drives one of the outsiders in the Inter Dominion Trotters final.

More than 40 years after winning the pacers' division and more than a decade since he drove in a final, Gath returns to the Inter Dominion arena with an outlook on life and a passion for the sport that continues to set an example.

"If you've got the will and the horse under you, give it a go," Gath told RSN.

"I love horses, I love trotting and I love the people in it. I've got no reason to walk away from it."

In a year when Australia celebrated Andrew Hoy's medal-winning exploits in Tokyo as a 62-year-old, Gath is hoping he can take the pursuit of excellence in equine sports as an elder statesman to another level.

He will become the oldest driver to compete in an Inter Dominion Final.

"I've been driving from when I started, it's not like I stopped and started again. I don't think much has changed," he said.

"Just because you get a bit older I don't think you forget how to drive."

Gath hails from one of Australian harness racing's most revered families, learning the trade from his father George, a master horseman in the halcyon days of trotting.

He has driven more than 3600 winners to achieve Hall of Fame status but an Inter Dominion trotters crown has been elusive.

"The only race now that I'd really love to win is the trotting Inter Dominion," he said.

Gath will get his chance on Illawong Stardust, trained by his close friend Tony Peacock.

As one of the lesser-fancied runners, Illawong Stardust will need