Catch up on the week’s harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.
THE GOOD
Dan Russell took four horses to Albion Park last Friday for two races and nearly walked away with a unique one-two double play.
With two runners engaged in race two and another two in race three, Russell loaded up for the trip home with a winning double, a second and a third placing.
It has been a strong season for Russell, who has put the polish on 24 winners for the term, just two less than he recorded for the entire 2021 season.
Having recorded multiple wins at Redcliffe and Marburg previously, Friday’s success was the first time that he has been able to secure an Albion Park training double.
“It was a great day for sure, to get my first Albion Park double and also a quinella, the team are going well,” Russell said.
“I have a nice team at the moment, I have the right horses and they are on the right marks”.
The day started when For No Reason driven by Narissa McMullen secured victory, narrowly holding on for victory by a neck margin over Go Jo Jolt, driven by Matt Elkins.
Elkins is the main driver for the Russell stable and there may have been some good-natured banter with Narissa edging out partner Elkins with the victory.
“Yeah, not sure if Matty was real happy with me giving the winning drive to Narissa," the trainer said.
“But, I have had some gear issue with Go Jo Jolt that I have been trying to sort out and as he knows her, I thought it be best to keep him aboard.”
The quinella was also a great result for the Betts family from Bathurst, racing both mares along with Abercrombie Tab with the Russell stable.
Russell has also had a strong association with another Bathurst stable, racing horses for Nathan and Kevin Hurst for a number of years.
The second winner on Friday was for the Hurst’s when Getaloadathisbro secured his first Queensland victory, overcoming gate seven to post a winning margin of a head.
Finishing in third placing was Jet Force, with Russell taking the reins, the four-year-old gelding also an ex-Hurst trained pacer.
“I have a developed a good association with Nathan Hurst and when Phoebe Betts was looking to leave Abercrombie Tab up here, Nathan suggested to give me a go,” Russell said.
“He has been such a consistent horse for my stable and out of that the Betts have since sent me these mares”.
With 22 horses in training and also working as a member of the Albion Park race day staff, there is always plenty to cover off for Russell.
“There is never a dull moment, that’s for sure," he said.
The team are certainly going well Russell now finds himself in the top ten on the Queensland trainers premiership board.