Keen racing across all Australian states this weekend

After all of the excitement of New Zealand during this week, Australian harness racing swings back into gear with some forthcoming competitive events over the weekend.

The Brisbane summer carnival is starting to warm up and the Garrards Horse and Hound Be Good Johnny Sprint has brought together some key contenders shaping up for the big races. Attachment has drawn ideally in three and if he finds the lead will be hard to beat. However Final Deadline can show blistering early speed so it will be a battle royal for first quarter or so.

Bainbridge and Dashing are on the second line but will be running on at the finish.

There’s also a Group 3 Trotting Feature and Queensland’s favourite trotting mare Golden Sunset will face off against the inform Keayang Stuka.

Finally Grant Dixon’s classy colt Fire and Passion is racing in brilliant form and he’s drawn the pole in the Burwood Stud Three year old feature.

With just over a week to go before the $1.5 million Eureka, Menangle stage four heats of the Spring Gift. The main event the Ultra Air Italian Cup sees noted speedster Dangerous up against his stable mate Hi Manameisjeff and they look set to dominate the event.

Another time honoured event the Stan Dumesny Trotters Handicap pits together the consistent pair of David Aiken’s squaregaiters Speedy Lover and Pesco Pollo who will both have to come off 30 metres and 20 metres respectively as well as encounter the smart mare Your Majesty.

Jason Grimson’s former New Zealander Huxton looks the one to beat in the Graeme McNiece Memorial but he’ll face a tough challenge from Buzz Bomb who is racing well at the moment.

Leading trainer Emma Stewart looks to have another key leading hand at Melton this Saturday and she can commence proceedings with the promising Fairplay in the main event the Casey Classic but the established pair of Yambukian and Bulletproof Boy will be suited by the conditions of the race.

The Group 3 Australasian Trotters Championship has been won by some real stars in the past and this year’s edition is an open event with Lovemeto, Imperial Monarch and the improving Hoppy counted amongst the main chances. In addition the Sapling Stakes will be run for the two year olds in separate divisions for the colts and geldings and fillies.

Catch The Captain is well drawn in the colts and geldings division for Andy and Kate Gath, while trainers Emma Stewart and Julie Douglas have five of the six starters in the fillies race.

Over at Globe Derby, Adelaide its Southern Cross series finals night and once again Emma Stewart holds the key to a number of the events. However her colt Treacherous Dan will face spirited opposition from last week’s heat winners Sriracha and Hez So Royal in the two year old colts and geldings final.

Jess Tubb’s promising filly Sandleton will square off against Emma Stewart’s pair of Hilltop Blossom and Hilltop Star in the three year old fillies Final.

There’s also Trotters Finals for both the two and three year olds.

At Gloucester Park on Friday evening, the $100,000 Group 2 James Brennan Cup is always seen as a key lead up race to the WA Pacing Cup next month.

Minstrel will need to be at his best from his awkward second row draw but he’ll be suited by the 2536 metre trip. His main danger could be Cyclone Jordy who showed something of a return to form when fourth in last week’s Golden Nugget. However the Bond stable in addition to Minstrel will have two other worthy representatives in Golden Lode and the improving Harrison John. It will be an intriguing race of tactics.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink