Queensland Harness Racing Wrap - September 13

Catch up on the week’s harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.

THE GOOD

The third running of the Springboard Series Final for two-year-old trotters has been claimed by the Rickie Alchin-trained and driven Flashy Seb.

Victory gave Alchin his second success in the series following on from his 2021 win with Aldebaran Selena.

Having his sixth race start in the Final, Flashy Seb had managed to claim victory in two of the heats and was sent out a short-priced favourite after drawing favourably on the inside line.

Stepping cleanly, the gelding had perfect manners to lead all the way, dominating his rivals in pulling clear to claim victory by a margin of 31.8 metres.

The win also set a new age record of 2.03.9 minutes for the 1628-metre stand start.

A gelded son of Sebastian K, the European stallion sired the first three over the line, with Oonskade trained by Melissa Gillies finishing second and Confiscated for trainer Lisa Bahr in third position.

Stronger each year, the Springboard Series has been a great tool in helping build the size of the square gaited population in Queensland.

With the 3YO Final also held on Friday night, it was the Denis Smith-trained Ignite that proved successful with Paul Diebert in the bike.

Again, it was manners that told the tale, with Ignite safely into stride to press forward from the widest position and then control the race from the front.

Race favourite Hurrikane Spirit had his chances, undone by poor manners with Mullum Steffi also making a costly error.

It would be a successful three days for Denis Smith who was also able to claim feature race success at Marburg on Sunday.

The highlight of the Marburg fixture was the Graham Harriott Memorial Trot and the Smith trained Majestic Ess Jay was able to overcome a 50m handicap to claim the sought-after trophy.

THE BAD

After wins at her past two starts, Mullum Steffi was a leading contender to claim victory for the 3YO Springboard Final.

Trotting cleanly in both victories, it was not to be the night for the daughter of Skyvalley - trained by Daren Garrard - who made a costly starting error.

Fractious before the start, she then reared just after the tapes released and was slowly away to be giving away a huge margin to her opponents.

Making up a stack of ground in chasing, Mullum Steffi was still able to cross the line in fourth, just over 11 metres behind the winner Ignite.

Also owning the talented Troythetrotter - trained by Rickie Alchin - the Garrards had two strong chances to claim the Final but would have to be content with a second placing to the second of their pair.

Despite missing out on the win in the feature event, it was still a memorable week for the Garrard Family.

Earlier in the week, Angus Garrard scored his 300^th driving victory when steering Montana Flash to victory, the fourth time he has partnered the gelding to success.

Then on Thursday, Angus’ and father Daren combined for another special moment with the win of Ginatiano.

Training the mare for the Hinze family, Ginatiano was produced with a well-timed sprint by Angus to arrive for a new personal best victory in stopping the clock at 1.54.2 for the mile.

With the win being the 19^th winner this term, victory also provided Daren with his 500^th training success of his career.

THE MILESTONE

Thursday afternoon meetings are rare at Albion Park, however with the Redcliffe track undergoing some resurfacing works, the husband-and-wife team of Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen managed to snare a pair of milestones at Queensland’s pacing headquarters.

Pete was able to secure a driving treble and Chantal a training double on the nine-race card with perhaps the highlight being the win of the four-year-old mare Flight Crew.

Owned by Karen Turpin (Chantal’s mother) Flight Crew has proven enigmatic since crossing the Tasman.

Arriving in Queensland with Tony Turpin, having four starts under his care, Flight Crew has been in Chantal’s barn for three starts prior to her win on Thursday.

Saved for a closing burst after being restrained from gate seven with Pete McMullen at the reins, Flight Crew had the speed to arrive for victory and claim a new best, stopping the clock in 1.54.6.

The win was the 100^th training success this season for Chantal Turpin, bringing up a century of winners in a season for the eighth successive term.

Four races later and completing the training double for Chantal with the victory of Typhoon Torque, Pete was able to record his 200^th winning drive for the season.

Capping off a successful week, the couple secured a double at Saturday’s metropolitan fixture with wins to Lombo Heaven and Will The Wizard.

The 1.50.6 win of Will The Wizard was just 0.2 seconds outside the track record co-held by Im Themightyquinn and Cruz and is the third fastest mile ever run at The Creek.

THE WILDCARD

The Family Challenge was completed with the final two heats conducted at Marburg on Sunday September 11.

It was the Dads claiming bragging rights, winning three of the four heats, with Al Barnes claiming the individual honours after taking home a pair of victories.

Heading into the last heat, Barnes had the drive on race favourite and former Marburg track record holder Jewel Of Peak for trainer Mark Rees.

Making the most of her good gate speed, Barnes sent the mare straight to the front and was able to keep his opponents chasing in claiming a two-metre victory.

It was the sixth win for Jewel Of Peak at Marburg, moving the mare into fourth overall for the most wins ever by a pacer at Marburg.

Matt Elkins was able to claim some dignity for the younger team, scoring the only win of the four- race series, when steering Circle Line to victory in heat three.

Trained by James Lewin, it was the 21^st career victory for Circle Line and his first since being under the care of Lewin.

Elkins has developed a good relationship over the years with Circle Line, with the win his 10^th overall aboard the gelding.

With just the one pacer at the races, Lewin always has his horses presented in great order there can be no questioning his passion for the sport.

THIS WEEK

A somewhat more straightforward week on the calendar with no Monday meeting and the Redcliffe track back in action following the track resurfacing.

Albion Park kicks off the week with their Tuesday afternoon fixture, featuring nine races on the card with the veteran Lancelot Bromac looking for his 32^nd career win in race 3.

The Tuesday meeting will be complemented by a Friday day meeting and then rounded out with the Saturday metropolitan meeting.

After the week of works at Redcliffe, the Peninsula club will host meetings on Wednesday night where there are 10 races down, as well as Thursday afternoon.