Qld Winter Carnival News Briefs

Millionaire pacer Bling It On continued his Brisbane winter carnival preparation with a slick harness racing trial at Albion Park last night (Tuesday).

The Hunter Cup winner was handled by stable foreman Joe Taaffe and sent straight to the lead passing the end of the first quarter before going on to score comfortably from classy mare Smooth Showgirl and Major Coup in a time of 1:54.4.

Sectionals were posted in 29.3, 29.7, 28.3 and 27.3 seconds.

The Listed $25,000 Lucky Creed at Albion Park on June 17 is a likely first-up target for the American Ideal entire.

Bling It On is being primed for the Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint (July 8) and the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake the following week.

Another impressive performer at the trial session was the stablemate on Bling It On, talented three-year-old Zahven Banner.

The Bettors Delight colt paced the mile in 1:56.6 when leading throughout and scoring by a widening margin.

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Astute couple Shannon Price and Scott Miller registered their first two state double yesterday (Tuesday).

Three Of The Best proved successful in a heat of the Breeders Challenge at TABCORP Park, Menangle when leading throughout for Adam Sanderson while classy mare Bettorthanspecial made a successful return winning the UBET Pace at Albion Park.

The Logan Reserve couple has enjoyed good success in recent weeks and has a number of likely types for the Brisbane winter carnival.

Three Of The Best won in a time of 1:56.0 while sprinting home in 26.3 seconds and will next start in the semi-final on Saturday week (June 17).

The Gr.1 $153,000 Breeders Challenge Final is scheduled for Sunday, June 25.

The $75,000 Queensland Derby on July 15 is a likely target following his Sydney campaign.

Bettorthanspecial was her having her first start since finishing third behind A Piccadilly Princess and Frith in the Gr.1 $200,000 Ladyship Mile at TABCORP Park, Menangle on February 25.

The Bettors Delight five-year-old mare came off the speed to win for Mathew Neilson in a time of 1:53.7.

Bettorthanspecial has a number of options next month.

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Classy performer Catcha Lefty has resumed full pace work for trainers Cristina Monte and Charlie Cini.

A winner of the Queensland Derby last season, Catcha Lefty was expected to miss the Brisbane winter carnival following a Sydney campaign earlier this season.

The Village Jasper gelding had his first pace work session last Saturday and could be ready for some of the upcoming features next month.

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In-form pacer Im The Smoocha is a notable omission from Friday’s Gr.3 $30,000 Redcliffe Gold Cup.

But connections of the New Zealand bred gelding never had any interest in the feature despite the gelding winning 6 of his last 7 starts.

Prepared by Grant Dixon for Sydney based trainer Shane Sanderson, Im The Smoocha will remain in Brisbane and race through his grades before returning to Menangle.

Im The Smoocha won again last Saturday night at Albion Park in a time of 1:56.8 for 2138m.

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Giant pacer Major Cam could be given his opportunity against the better pacers next month depending on his form in the coming weeks.

Major Cam proved triumphant when scoring a dominant first-up victory last Saturday at Albion Park; it was his first start in nearly 12 months.

The Art Major five-year-old has won 10 from 19 and could be tested in the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake on July 15.

Prepared by astute couple of Kylie Rasmussen and Darren Weeks, Major Cam is expected to start again on Saturday week (June 17).

Major Cam is a half-brother to former classy pacer Western Cam (19 wins – $180k).

Meanwhile, talented rookie pacers Gold Reactor and Sammari will push towards their respective Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad Finals at Albion Park on July 15.

Fresh from their quinella in last week’s Gr.1 $100,000 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sale Series Final, both youngsters have trained on well since.

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Exciting rookie Colt Thirty One is close to a return.

Prepared by Grant Dixon, the Mach Three – Charm Personified colt has not raced since finishing 9th in the $300,000 Australian Pacing Gold Final at TABCORP Park, Menangle on April 29.

Colt Thirty One is being aimed at the Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad Final on July 15.

He will return straight to the races and bypass a public trial.

Colt Thirty One has won 2 of his 4 starts to date.

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Smart three-year-old Maestro Bellini won’t race again this season.

Prepared at Redcliffe by Chris Petroff, he was a notable omission from last week’s feature, the Redcliffe Derby which was ultimately won by Paternity Suit.

A last start winner of the QBRED Triad Consolation on May 13, Maestro Bellini has battled niggling issues throughout the season and has now been gelded.

Maestro Bellini has won 7 from 18 and earnings sit just shy of $100,000.

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Talented trotter Twice As Much is now based in Brisbane with Vicki Rasmussen.

Previously prepared by leading Victorian based horseman Anton Golino, the Sam Bourbon gelding finished 5th at Kilmore on May 16 at his most recent start before heading north.

Twice As Much won the Listed $15,000 Breeders Challenge Final at TABCORP Park, Menangle as a two-year-old.

The stylish trotter has won 7 from 18 overall.

Chris Barsby