By Duane Ranger
Alberton horsewoman, Dannielle McMullen, will get in behind a unique record holder at Albion Park on Saturday night – four races after she drives race one favourite and likely winner, Secretagent Tycoon.
McMullen will rein the Stewart Dickson (Caboolture) trained Lancelot Bromac from gate one in race five. Last Saturday night at the same venue the Art Major gelding finished a nice fourth from gate seven.
But that ninth event was no ordinary assignment for Lancelot Bromac. The 10-year-old bay overtook Destreos as the most-raced horse at Albion Park.
Destreos lined up a whopping 323 times at Albion Park between September 2009 and July 2017. Last week’s 2,138m mobile was Lancelot Bromac’s 324th start on the track.
All-up the mighty 16-year-old Destreos has raced 484 times for 101 wins ($827,169), while Lancelot Bromac has lined up on 351 occasions ($283,933).
Lancelot Bromac made his debut with an eighth on the former Gold Coast track on May 11, 2012. Shannon Price trained him for his first five starts and Dickson took over on August 7, 2012.
“He’s a lovely horse, but I think Secretagent Tycoon is probably the better winning chance of my two drives tomorrow. Secretagent Tycoon rises in class though, but he has drawn well,” said McMullen, whose comments about her two drives can be viewed below.
Like all female drivers over the next couple of months, McMullen will be donning the teal strides from tomorrow night on.
“I’m always very proud to wear the teal colours at this time of year. Team Teal will again be raising money for Ovarian Cancer Research. I personally have had two people who were told that they had cancer last year, one of which was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. It’s an ugly disease but such a great cause.
“We will have merchandise on track and will also be collecting on behalf of ‘Team Teal’. I’ll be trying to win as many races as possible over the next few months for this great cause,” McMullen said.
She said $200 would be donated to the cause every time a lady driver saluted the judge. It again runs throughout Australasia until March 15.
“Narissa (sister) and I have also been selected to represent Queensland at the 2020 Lady Drivers Championships in Tasmania on March 22. We also went there a couple of years ago. I think that is the last night we wear the teal colours,” McMullen said.
Meanwhile, Queensland’s best pacer looks a huge winning prospect from gate four in race six – the $14,000 Remembering Sovereign Cloud Open Pace tomorrow night (7.40pm).
The Grant Dixon trained and Trista Dixon driven Colt Thirty One opened up the $2 favourite and should take all sorts of beating off the front-line.
The brilliant 5-year-old Mach Three entire will be vying for his 36th win in 57 starts.
As for McMullen’s two drives tomorrow night… Here’s what the talented 23-year-old had to say about them (with race, trainer, draw, form, and opening odds):
Race 1: The Ryan Veivers trained SECRETAGENT (2) TYCOON 71251 - $3.20 favourite. “Tell All 7-year-old gelding who meets stronger opposition this week, but he is capable of stepping up from the nice draw. I’ll be looking to lead, but if I can’t get there I’ll be happy to sit parked with him. He was three-wide, and parked, and then led last week. He doesn’t have quick gate speed but I’ll be looking to drive him the same. He’s a strong horse. I thought he really proved himself last week from gate seven. It was one of his better performances (1:55.4 mile rate), especially over the 2,138 metres. He can only strip fitter for that run. There has been talk of him going to the USA but nothing is confirmed yet. I’m going to enjoy him while I can.”
Race 5: The Stewart Dickson trained LANCELOT BROMAC (1) 96074 - $11. “Art Major 10-year-old gelding who isn’t suited by the ace draw. He’s not quick out of the gate, but I’ll be trying to get him out as quickly as I can, but to be honest he could end up three-deep or worse. This is the one draw we didn’t want, and this race does look a bit tougher than last week - when he drew seven and finished fourth. Place chance possibly if the gaps open at the right time for him. He’s a happy and healthy horse who still wants to be out there. We will be trying hard.”