No trouble calling for Rees ahead of Marburg feature

By Jordan Gerrans

Peak Crossing trainer Mark Rees is cautiously optimistic his ‘old warrior’ Call Me Trouble has come back well from a throat operation ahead of his tilt at Sunday’s Graham Harriott Trotters Discretionary Handicap.

The annual event is always a feature on the Marburg calendar.

The special race is named in honour of the late Marburg Pacing Association president and top trainer Graham Harriott.

Rees’ Call Me Trouble has never tackled the tricky Marburg circuit since he arrived in Australia in March of last year but the experienced conditioner thinks he should handle it no worries.

The eight-year-old square gaiter has raced at a high level during his Australian tenure, competing in the Inter Dominion series last year as well as starting in a few Group-level events.

He has been off the racing scene since late June following his throat operation but the trotter appears to have returned smartly going by his two trial efforts at Albion Park this month.

“There have been no dramas so far in the couple of trials he has had,” the veteran trainer said of his return following the operation.

“The trials have been good, he won one on Tuesday and he ran second to Gus the Tuesday before.

“He has come back all right so fingers crossed with him.

“He can breathe better than before the operation but we will wait and see how it impacts his racing. He has got a few tricks in his kit bag.”

The Graham Harriott Trotters Discretionary Handicap is always a target race for trainers with square gaiters around this time of year.

Back in 2012, Harriott, who had a strong team of horses in work to that day, died suddenly and the club have held the race since to recognise his memory.

Following Graham’s death, his widow Ann-Maree has remained heavily involved with the Marburg club.

Graham trained for over 30 years and had a few different stints as president at Marburg.

Trainer Trent Moffat and driver Mathew Neilson combined to win the race named in Graham’s honour last year with Natty Pagger.

The Moffat and Neilson team are back again this year aiming to go back-to-back and will begin with a 30 metre handicap.

“This has always been a really good race day having this memorial race on as he was a great bloke from all reports,” Moffat said last year.

The 62-year-old Rees has fond memories of the late trainer and administrator.

“I did know Graham and he was a nice bloke,” Rees said.

“The club keep his memory alive which is great.”

With Lola Weidemann in the bike, Rees’ Call Me Trouble will start with a 60 metre handicap in Sunday’s 2200 metre event, with $9,000 on the line.

“He is a nice old warrior,” Rees said.

“He is a good honest old horse.

“He steps quick so he should rule that handicap in pretty quickly but it will be about getting around them at Marburg as it’s a small track.

“The 60 metres is a fair handicap but there is a whole heap of them of 30, as well.

“He has never been to Marburg before but he gets around the small track at home ok when it is raining – he can rip around that.

“I don’t think he should have an issue with Marburg for the first time.”

Before Rees lobs at Marburg on Sunday, he will have his eyes on city racing on Saturday evening, as well. 

He has last-start winner Madrigal entered in the mares open pace over 1660 metres.

Kelli Dawson will do the steering from the three.

Madrigal scored on Saturday night of last week with Narissa McMullen in the sulky.

Rees was pleased to be able to avoid excitement machine Chynchilla in Saturday’s mare’s race after she has dominated the grade in recent weeks.

“She will go well, Madrigal, and Chynchilla is not in this race so it looks an even race,” Rees said.