Final Deadline returns with big targets in sight

TRAINER Shannon Price doesn’t know where to go with her new stable harness racing star Final Deadline (Bettors Delight).

The explosive four-year-old impressed in an Albion Park trial win last Tuesday and will return to racing at the same track on Saturday week.

Final Deadline, who boasts 12 wins and nine seconds from just 27 starts, hasn’t raced since winning the Group 3 4YO Championship at Albion Park on July 18.

“We looked very seriously at taking him to Perth, but it’s almost impossible with flights,” Price said.

“He’d have to go all the way to Melbourne and even then they told us he could sit there for two weeks waiting for a flight.

“If there was a guaranteed flight, we’d probably still go, but it’s too big a risk.

“So, we’ve ruled that out and will give him a couple of runs here, see how he goes, and make plans from there.”

The $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 17 is an option.

“He would really need to come out and make a splash, knock our socks off, to go to that, but it’s not out of the question,” Price said.

“He trialled really well the other day and his heart rate was super. He’s clearly come back very well.”

Another option is to target a few features in NSW over the next couple of months with the Redcliffe Cup winner.

“There’s the NSW Carnival of Cups and the Len Smith Mile. There are three races we could run in quite close together and worth good money,” she said.

“We’ve also got the Patrons Purse up here (Redcliffe) and that’s worth $50,000.

“We’ve got options, but it’s really up to him to show what level we should aim at with his first two runs back.

“You’d have to be super happy with him to want to take on Captains Mistress or Leap To Fame in one of those really big races.”

By Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia