Dawson returns for Destreos’ national record

Queensland harness racing driver Kelli Dawson will complete a fairytale return to the sulky for Destreos’ record-breaking 401st race start at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Dawson has received a medical clearance to rekindle her partnership with the popular pacer on Saturday night in what will mark her first race start since fracturing her tailbone and suffering bruised ribs in a bad fall at Redcliffe a fortnight ago.

Dawson has played a major role in Destreos’ lengthy career, having partnered the 12-year-old in 224 of his 400 starts, but missed the gelding’s last-start victory at Redcliffe last Saturday night when he was partnered with Shane Graham.

However, she is determined to push through the pain barrier to link with her favourite horse as he breaks the record of former North Queensland pacer Cane Smoke, who races 400 times between August 10, 1983 and September 4, 1991.

VIDEO: The record breakers – Cane Smoke and Destreos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BNpQ84o2I0&feature=youtu.be

“I’m 95 per cent sure I’ll be right,” said Dawson.

“I’m pretty confident but I’ll have a drive tomorrow (Thursday) morning just to be sure.”

Destreos geared up for his record-breaking milestone with an impressive win against a similar field at Redcliffe last Saturday.

It continued a purple patch of form for the 12-year-old gelding this season, which has seen him win nine of 23 starts and record an additional nine placings.

Racing Queensland Racing Operations Manager Harness Brett Rail said Destreos’ longevity at the highest level of racing in Queensland was testament to trainer Ken Rattray.

“He’s a credit to his trainer Ken Rattray to have him competitive every time he goes around,’’ said Rail.

“For such an experienced horse, it’s hard to keep them going for that many starts, so it’s just amazing that he’s been able to keep his interest in racing for such a long time.

“He’s recently run his best time as a 12-year-old, so he’s racing as good as he ever has.

“He’s been racing at the highest level since 2009 so to keep going at that level for so long is an amazing story.”

In recognition of the history making milestone, the Albion Park Harness Racing Club will make a special presentation to Rattray and owner Sally Stingel at the conclusion of the race on Saturday night.

With free entry to the track on Saturday night, the club is encouraging as many people as possible to share in this special milestone.

The first race is at 5:44pm, with the “Destreos Record Breaking Start 401 Open Pace” to run at 9:07pm (Race 8).

Race 8                                    DESTREOS RECORD BREAKING START 401 OPEN PACE                9:07 PM

 

1660 METRES                                                                                                                       MOBILE START          

Form               Horse                                      Trainer                         Driver                         Hcp

1          11355              AMERICAN LEGEND            S M Price                    Paul Diebert (C)          FR1

2          21131              DESTREOS NZ                     K L Rattray                  Kelli Dawson               FR2

3          42111              ULTIMATE ART                     S M Price                    Bart Cockburn                        FR3

4          64224              LEBRON                                 B R McCall                 Pete McMullen            FR4

5          s5173              MIND THE WIRE                   V L Rasmussen          Adam Sanderson        FR5

6          25462              FUNNY BOY NZ                    K L Rattray                  Hayden Barnes (C)     FR6

7          42512              JACKAROO BROMAC NZ   V L Rasmussen          Grant Dixon                FR7

———- Second Row ———-

8          13334  CAESARS FOLLY NZ                       S M Price                    Mathew Neilson          SR1    

Adam Gardini