First runners confirmed for The Hayden

By Andrew Smith

A trio of runners for this year’s The Hayden have been locked in, with the best local up-and-coming stars going on display in the exciting slot race.

The Tax Cullector, Free Thinker and My Ultimate Buddha have been confirmed for three of the 10 slots in the second running of the 2138m event to be held at Albion Park on Saturday, July 20.

The husband-and-wife team of Pete McMullen-Chantal Turpin train and drive The Tax Cullector, with the bay gelding having posted 14 wins and 10 placings from 49 starts in his career so far.

Slot holder Eddie Burchill, of Burchill Bloodstock, said there had been several reasons why he had opted for the four-year-old who will start from the eight spot on the fence at The Creek.

“I was looking for a horse that obviously has high speed - most horses do like the fence, so just looking for a horse that has those attributes of a bit of high speed, likes the fence, and can run out a strong 2100 because obviously The Hayden’s over the middle trip,” Burchill said.

“I went through a lot of its runs and it’s put up some really big runs off the fence in the 2100 so just decided on him.

“I realised in the ownership group as well that there were friends of friends…and obviously he has a good trainer, as well as a good driver in Pete McMullen, so I locked him in on the horse.

“It all tied in really well in the end.”

Entrants in The Hayden are restricted to 3 and 4YO QBRED pacers that must be Queensland trained and driven.

The race will once again offer a base prize pool of $100,000, with proceeds raised from the slot auction meaning it will run for $207,000 in 2024.

The winner will also qualify for a spot in the $2.1 million TAB Eureka to be held at Menangle on Saturday, September 7.

Burchill said the chance to secure a golden ticket into the world’s richest harness race, along with raising money for Shoreline, was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea – the Eureka will have representatives from all parts of the country, and Queensland will obviously send through a QBRED runner,” he said.

“Last year was tough and this year looks tough as well no matter who gets through to the Eureka but in saying that I think it’s a great concept and we want to showcase the Eureka with basically being an Australian race.

“I really like the concept of The Hayden, and also like the fact it gives back to a Matty Hayden’s charity in Shoreline, which I think is also another great aspect.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea people bidding for slots, that’s more engagement as well so I think the whole thing works really well.”

The Grant Dixon-trained Free Thinker will also line up in the second iteration of the race.

The gelding has eight wins and 12 placings in his 30 career starts, amassing close to $135,000 in prize money and bonuses.

Slot holder Danny Zavitsanos said it was a conversation out of the blue with Dixon that had convinced him to select the four-year-old for the race.

“I was actually talking to Shannon Price (trainer of 2023 The Hayden winner Speak The Truth) up there for a few months and she was actually keeping an eye out for me for any horses,” Zavitsanos said.

“But then I got a phone call from Grant a couple of weeks ago, and he said would I consider Free Thinker - Kevin (Seymour) was keen to get him in.

“After having a look at his runs and that, I thought he’s a top four chance and if he got the right luck and something went wrong with a couple others, I thought he’s a good chance.

“I’m very happy, I thought his run last week was very good -  he did some good work.

“At this stage he’ll probably race him again before The Hayden as far as I know and we just line him up for the big race and hopefully he can do us proud.”

My Ultimate Buddha is the third confirmed competitor, with the Doug Hewitt-trained three-year-old to start in the slot purchased by Tony Veivers.

Eight Group 1s will be held over the seven weeks of the Constellations, with more than $4 million in prize money and bonuses up for grabs.

Click here for more information on The Hayden.