In-form pacer Mind The Wire is aiming to complete the summer double this weekend at Albion Park. Following his success last week in the Lord Mayors Cup, the Shane Graham trained harness racing pacer looms as the horse to beat in this week’s AISF Christmas Cup after landing the inside gate.
Both events are Listed $25,000 features.
And with the big name Brisbane open class missing either through injury or chasing interstate features, the stage is set for Mind The Wire to complete the double.
“He’s racing in terrific form and should take a power of beating again this weekend, he’s really toughened up with the racing at Albion Park and his winning effort last week was another big step forward for him.” Graham said.
Since arriving from Victoria twelve months ago as a lowly assessed C4 grade pacer, Mind The Wire has made constant improvement which has netted him 10 Queensland victories including 9 at headquarters.
And the rapport with former Bathurst based reinsman John O’Shea is also a key factor in the gelding’s success with 5 victories from 6 drives to date.
Naturally, Graham was faced with little option but to leave the in-form duo together again this weekend with Graham himself taking the drive on Jackaroo Bromac while young Brendan Barnes taking the drive behind Goulburn Guy.
The trio of runners look set to play a key role after they all drew favourably, Mind The Wire will start from inside gate with Jackaroo Bromac drawn alongside him in gate two while Goulburn Guy starts from the inside of the second-line, directly behind Mind The Wire.
“The draws have panned out really well and hopefully we can make the most of them this weekend, the extra distance shouldn’t pose any concerns for any of them either because they’re all versatile and really fit right now.
“The fact that John has clicked so well with him is a great thing and he was always going to drive this horse again this weekend wherever he drew and I was going to sort out the other drives around him. I actually think I have a good understanding with Jackaroo Bromac so I’ll stick with him while Goulburn Guy and Brendan (Barnes) went well together last week.
“The depth of the field isn’t there like I was expecting; the Price runners (Caesars Folly & American Legend) didn’t back-up while Destreos is bypassing the longer distance events. It still won’t be any pushover but I’m really happy with my trio and all three have legitimate claims given the right luck.”
The reigning Australian Driver of the Year won this event last year behind the Ian Gurney trained Avonnova who defeated the now retired mare Forever Gold.
Hoofnote: Mind The Wire’s older half-brother Drunken Desire, another good performer in Queensland for Vicki Rasmussen and Shane Graham is now based in North America and still winning races.
Drunken Desire won 11 races during his Queensland stint.
