Queensland Harness Racing Wrap - February 26

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

THE GOOD

Saturday night proved to be successful across two states for owner Jeroen Nieuwenburg with a win at Albion Park and a second at Melton.

The Albion Park win came courtesy of the five-year-old mare Bonnies Dance, the mare driven to victory by Trista Dixon after securing the perfect trip in behind the leader.

Finishing best when angled to the outside on the home bend, Bonnies Dance claimed victory by a head over the Dannielle Veivers-driven Girl From Rosedale, with Vindicate for Chloe Butler finishing third and providing a 'Team Teal' trifecta.

“She was a good three-year-old but came back too highly rated at four and she found it extremely tough through the season,” Nieuwenburg said after the victory.

“Grant and Trista have done a wonderful job with her and been patient.”

It was the seventh career victory for Bonnies Dance which now has a 1.53.7 best against her name.

Two hours earlier, three-year-old trotting filly Pinnie, was having her first start for new trainer Andy Gath at Melton in the Lunar Lass 3YO Trotters Classic.

The winner of the inaugural QBRED two-year-old Trotting Final last season, when prepared by Jason Carkeet, the daughter of the 2018 McNeil Championship winner -Needle - was hitting the line strongly on Saturday night in finishing second to Derek The Jet.

“There are huge wraps on Derek The Jet and Pinnie was first-up and I couldn’t be happier with how she found the line," Nieuwenburg said. 

“That was also her first race from the mobile, so that is pleasing.

“Ultimately, I will likely have her back up here later in the year for some of the three-year-old features.”

Despite the lure of The Great Square, it may be a race that Nieuwenburg opts to bypass despite the stakes on offer.

“Well, she would draw barrier one, but it might be a little too much for her too soon, we will just wait and see how she progresses in Victoria before making too many plans," Nieuwenburg said. 

After plenty of success over the years buying tried stock both from interstate and out of New Zealand, it is the breeding that has Nieuwenburg enthusiastic at present.

“I’m really excited about the breeding side of things," he said. 

“Needle has a Propulsion colt and is back in foal to Pastor Stephen, while Lady Avana, which is a full sister to Akuta has an Always B Miki filly foal and is in foal to Huntsville.”

THE BAD

Battling his share of injury and issue throughout his career, Defensive Guy looks the horse to beat in the Jim McNeil Trotting Championship after another dominant performance in the second round of heats.

Following his first round win when partnered by trainer Matt Crone, it was Angus Garrard back in the sulky for Friday’s second round but the result was a replica of six days previous.

Rolling forward and content to sit parked, Garrard put it to the leader, Tumult, turning for home and Defensive Guy pulled clear to post a nine metre winning margin.

Despite gaining 20 metres from the winner at the standing start conditions, Tumult had to settle for second place, while it was the Pete McMullen-driven Top Of The Moment that held third, some 13 metres from the winner, but with a margin of 25 metres back to the fourth placed Aurora.

After a costly error in the first round heats, Hide And Seek was safely into stride in the final heat and from the front was able to cruise home to claim an effortless victory for trainer Shannon Price and driver Adam Sanderson.

Banff which was first to the poles before releasing to Hide And Seek, chased gamely for second, with Koda Da Moda holding on for third place.

Race favourite Gus, who is now the lone back marker on 30 metres for the series, was able to qualify for the Final this Saturday with a fourth placing.

With a field of 14, plus one emergency, Hammer Son has scraped into the Final field to keep alive the chances of becoming the first ever back-to-back winner of the McNeil.

Trainers Graham Dwyer, Shawn Grimsey, Terry Hancock, Trent Moffat and Chantal Turpin will all be dually represented in the Final.

THE MILESTONE

Having previously driven a metropolitan quartet at 'The Creek' back in 2020, Leonard Cain achieved the feat for the first time on 'The Triangle' last week when steering home four on the Redcliffe Wednesday night card.

The first winner came aboard the Gail Geeson-trained Candykane, the five-year-old mare winning the fourth race of her career.

Settled at the rear of the field, Cain set the mare alight between turns and moving up four-wide approaching the home bend, hit the front, and moved clear to claim victory.

Two races later and the second winner of the night for Cain arrived when leading throughout aboard Vodka En Ice for trainer Vic Frost, giving Frost an owner and breeder double, as the Hall of Famer also owns and bred Candykane.

Having been a model of consistency all season with placings in five of his seven starts but unable to convert the effort to winning form, the five-year-old gelding was able to capitalise on a well rated drive from Cain, pulling clear in the closing stages.

The third winner for Cain came in the second last race of the night when taking the reins on the Riley Butt-trained Pretty Little Liar.

Breaking maiden ranks earlier in the month, Cain sent the filly forward from gate six and forcing the issue had found the front with 1400 metres to travel.

Once in control, Cain was able to walk the field through a pedestrian 64.1 second middle half, holding enough margin on the wire to fend off the challenge of the Dayl March-trained and driven Precocious Kate.

With only one race left on the card, Cain converted the treble into a quartet with a maiden breaking victory aboard the Peter Greig-trained Happy Snap.

The winning move came as the gate released, able to find the poles early before releasing the speed to Joe Cavalier.

Angling to the outside approaching the home bend, Cain was able to get the most from Happy Snap, with the five-year-old mare claiming a narrow victory to breakthrough at her 33rd race start.

THE WILDCARD

Chantal Turpin trained three winners across two states on Saturday night, claiming a double at Albion Park and one at Menangle.

Nominating Aardies Flash and Wisper A Secret for the Chariots of Fire qualifier - the Paleface Adios Stakes - the stable was only given a start with one runner.

It was Wisper A Secret that faced the ballot and was drawn in gate five in the Dahua Community Pace, sent out as the favourite for the race with Trent Dawson handed the reins.

Finding position in the running line from gate five, Dawson angled three-wide as the field reached the home turn and the four-year-old was sprinting hard down the long straight to claim victory by a neck, claiming a new personal best of 1.51.5 with the victory.

While Aardies Flash finished unplaced in the Paleface Adios, Queensland was able to squeeze a runner through to the Chariots, with Sure Thing Captain qualifying off the back of an impressive first-up run.

While Turpin was in NSW with her team, it was husband Pete McMullen in charge at home and a favourable gate paid dividends for Always Smokin. 

Making full use of the inside alley, Always Smokin was able to capitalise on a 59.2 second opening half to claim an effortless victory through a 56.5 second closing 800 metres. 

With five of the six runners in the closing race of the night, the Ultimate Tools 3YO, the Turpin stable were able to finish with the first five across the line.

It was Taleah McMullen that was able to claim the passing lane victory aboard Checknoutthetalent, the Hes Watching gelding claiming his third career victory and retaining a perfect two from two record since resuming this season.

Matt Elkins loomed strongly aboard Dele Row, but it was Checknoutthetalent that made full use of the inside running to claim the margin.

Shes Fullofspirit was driven by Angus Garrard and held on for third, narrowly ahead of the race favourite Rylee Rhayne Bow which was resuming from a spell, with Lord Memnock completing the top-five.

The win gave loyal stable client Craig Whiteoak a winning double to close the night.

THIS WEEK

A six day racing week ahead, with three meetings from Albion Park, two from Redcliffe and the final meeting on Sunday at Marburg.

Saturday night will see the running of the Jim McNeil Trotting Championship along with the Our Overanova Trotters Marathon.

There are 10 races on the Wednesday night card from Redcliffe which will be followed by the Thursday afternoon fixture.

Queensland will be chasing further interstate success, Sure Thing Captain flying the flag in the Chariots of Fire, alongside the Queensland owned Frankie Ferocious.

Queensland will also be represented in the Miracle Mile qualifying sprints, with Future Assured attempting to chase a berth alongside Leap To Fame in the $1 million sprint.