Dashman's harness look ahead - February 14

Look ahead to this weekend's harness racing action in our weekly preview, thanks to Darren Clayton.

The Chariots Of Fire qualification starts on Saturday with the running of the Hondo Grattan Stakes. 

Dele Row was the lone Queenslander to gain a start.

However, he has since been scratched.

Dele Row's stablemate, The Janitor, has been made second emergency, with the Grant Dixon-trained Charge Ahead and Jack Butler-trained Birkirkara both balloted from the race. 

Albion Park will host a big weekend with eight races on Friday afternoon, before a bumper Saturday night card where a number of quality performers will be auditioning for a trip south.

GET ON

Allnight Dancer at Albion Park on Saturday in race five.

The Ron Sallis-trained mare has not had anything go her way in recent starts. The latest was where she was snagged back from gate six and then never a factor with the tempo against. She lands the marble to capitalise.

LAYNE'S LUVBITE

With 18 winners already this season to his name, Layne Dwyer is building his career strongly after narrowly missing 100 winners in the 2024 term.

One of his favourite horses is Luvbite and the six-year-old has been a model of consistency this season, finishing in the top three in all six appearances.

Two starts back, he secured the perfect trip behind the speed for Dwyer and was angled into space at the right time to claim a personal best 1.51.4 victory.

Last week he was huge in defeat when planted wide for the last 1000 metres.

Despite the tough trip and extra ground covered, the gelding had the temerity to loom in the stretch, narrowly missing to finish third.

With the chance to push forward from the good gate, he looks set to play a major role in the opening race on Saturday night. 

Dangers appear in the form of My Rocky Romance for Pete McMullen.

However, My Rocky Romance's chances have been hampered by a tricky second line gate.

The Grant Dixon-trained and reined Cheer Leader is also impeded by a wide gate but does possess the talent and speed to be a factor.

SHANE SET TO TURN IT UP

Sent for a break following the Queensland Cup back in November, the Shane Graham-trained Turn It Up is back for another campaign.

Closing in on a pair of milestones - 100 career starts and $1 million in earnings - the veteran will start from barrier three on Saturday night. 

Electric out of the barrier, it looks a mere formality that Graham will be in front by the first turn.

Graham's tactics thereafter are where the questions are raised.

First-up and over the middle trip of 2138 metres, it would seem likely that he will take cover.

However, which horse is there first seems the query.

Braedos Lad has been racing well in this grade and pressing forward might be the one to provide the cover, while it could also be Manila Playboy that takes an early shot.

For Real Life is another go forward runner and from gate seven, the task ahead of Trent Dawson and his stylish five-year-old makes for some tough decisions.

For Real Life was sent forward last start when resuming at the mile.

The multiple Group 1-winner was electric, producing what could be the fastest last 800 metre section ever recorded by a leader at 'The Creek' when he stomped out fractions of 25.9 and 26.9 seconds to score.

Adding further spice to the race is Captain Shuffles landing in barrier 10.

The Ben Crosby-trained gelding has tasted defeat just once in his past five starts and that was at the hooves of Leap To Fame.

Despite the defeat, Captain Shuffles was well clear of the third-placed horse in that race.

Strap in, this should be something.

DOES DERBY GLORY AWAIT?

In strong contention to be awarded the 2024 two-year-old of the year at this Sunday’s Racing Queensland awards evening, Fate Awaits will make his first appearance this season on Saturday night.

Contesting the seventh race of the evening, the five-time winner will tackle a three-year-old race without the benefit of a trial and has been dealt a blow, drawing the widest gate off the front line.

Shut down last term following his Group 1 victory in the New South Wales Breeders Challenge, the Grant Dixon-trained colt can still defy the obstacles to claim victory in the small field.

Stablemate of Fate Awaits and following a similar preparation is Path To Greatness, who will start from gate six, with Trista Dixon taking the reins on the four-time winner.

Path To Greatness made big inroads in a short space of time last season and his progression into his three-year-old term will be intriguing.

Last-start winner, French Fries, is the big winner in the barrier conditions from gate one following his impressive first-up victory, while Our Sweet Delight will also resume from a spell but has trialled in good order in readiness.