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This Saturday night over the next two weeks, the national harness racing spotlight will be firmly on Albion Park where the heats and final of the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing and Trotting Championships are being conducted.
It’s a major coup for Queensland harness racing. For the Pacing championships there’ll be three heats of $40,000 with 12 runners and for the Trotters two heats of $30,000 with 12 squaregaiters in each. Each of the Heats will be run over 2138 metres.
Harnesslink’s early preview is as follows:
Pacers Heat 1:
This is probably the most open of the heats. Victorian trainer Jess Tubbs holds the key to the race with her pair Better Eclipse and Rakero Rebel. Better Eclipse’s recent form has been somewhat indifferent but the gelding is a proven performer with 24 wins and over $1.355 million in prize money. Better Eclipse is drawn the pole and is expected to run an improved race. Stablemate Rakero Rebel is a class mare and has the services of leading reinsman James Herbertson. She has a strong finishing sprint and should figure prominently.
Local trainer Shannon Price has a strong presence with Sure Thing Captain and Speak The Truth. Both pacers are well versed around Albion Park and drawn to take a hand in the finish.
Catch A Wave hasn’t fired up in recent runs but he does perform much better when Interstate and is too good to dismiss despite his second row draw.
Pacers Heat 2:
New South Wales pacer Don Hugo is drawn on the second row but even so he still looks to have too much class over his rivals. He’s drawn behind Doug’s Platter and at some stage driver Luke McCarthy is expected to send him around the field to be prominent with the leaders. Although Nyack is badly drawn on the second row he possesses a strong finishing sprint and could be prominent at the finish with a bit of luck.
Local pacer Jimartee is drawn the pole and knows his way around the Albion Park circuit.
Pacers Heat 3:
The highlight of the evening’s racing will come with the presence of Leap To Fame and although awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second row, driver Grant Dixon will be probably looking to angle off the rails as soon as practically possible. It should be a fast run race but at the business end, expect Leap To Fame to pack too many punches for his rivals. Evergreen pacer Max Delight is racing in great heart and is sure to be prominent.
New Zealand pacer Pinseeker was most impressive in winning at Menangle Park in 1.51.9 last Saturday week and he should acquit himself well during the series.
Trotters Heat 1:
Trainer James Rattray has done a wonderful job with London To A Brick getting him back to peak form. A former talented young trotter London To A Brick seemed to lose form but so far this year he’s performed admirably in Free for All company at Menangle Park. He’s had success at Albion Park winning the Queensland Trotters Cup a year ago so he knows the circuit well. He’d ideally drawn in three.
New Zealand trotter Oscar Bonavena had his colours lowered last Saturday week at Albion Park by Zealous Spur but he’s too good to dismiss and even from his second row draw should be right in the finish.
Former New Zealand trotter Taylad To Use is now in the Grant Dixon stable. He shows ability and will give a forward showing from the pole draw.
Trotters Heat 2:
This will be a most eagerly awaited clash between Arcee Phoenix and Bet N Win. Arcee Phoenix has now laid claim to being Australia’s best trotter since the retirement of Just Believe. He won the TAB trot at Cambridge and looked very sharp resuming at Melton on 21 June for a powerful win. He’ll continue to improve throughout the series.
Bet N Win is one of New Zealand’s best trotters and served notice of his class with an awesome all the way win at Menangle Park on 21 June. The five year old is perfectly drawn from the pole and if leads will give Arcee Phoenix a run for his money.
Queenland’s best trotter Zealous Spur is racing in great form but might find it difficult from the second row draw.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
