Dashman's harness look ahead - February 28

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

There is another strong card at Albion Park on Saturday night with the program highlighted by the opening race and the open class event which will run as race four.

At Menangle, Queensland trainers will line up in several races, including the Grant Dixon stable in the Chariots Of Fire and heats of the New South Wales Derby, while Shannon Price will be attempting to qualify for the Miracle Mile.

The Janitor, prepared by Chantal Turpin, will be relying on a scratching to gain a start in the Chariots.

The four-year-old narrowly missing auto qualification when running fifth in last week’s Paleface Adios.

GET ON - OUR SWEET DELIGHT 

Showing good talent as a two-year-old, the colt won three and was placed on a further three occasions from eight starts in his first season of racing.

Resuming behind the ultra-smart Fate Awaits, the Chantal Turpin-trained three-year-old stepped out on Tuesday and his chances ended within 50 metres of the start.

Drawn inside the second line in that event, he will appreciate moving back to the centre of the front line and finds the right opposition to open his winning ledger for the year.

The pacer contests the sixth race on Saturday night at Albion Park. 

CHARIOTS FOR ONE

Queensland narrowly missed out on having two runners qualify as starters in the Chariots Of Fire, with The Janitor listed as an emergency.

Charge Ahead won his spot into the big four-year-old feature with his second placing in last week’s qualifier when driven by Robert Morris.

Although trainer Grant Dixon will be trackside, Morris has kept his spot in the sulky for this week’s Group 1. 

Runner-up in both Menangle appearances over the past two weeks, the six-time winner will move into barrier four should The Janitor not be required.

It will be a tough ask for the Dixon-trained gelding, who is an outsider in early betting, with a number of high quality four-year-olds to do battle.

The race is headlined by Bay Of Biscay who will run favourite.

Drawn wide gates in both Menangle starts, The Janitor would relish the chance to start closer to the fence and if he can force his way into the starting line-up, the gelding will start from barrier three.

CAN THE TRUTH BE REPEATED?

Trainer Shannon Price will be hoping that history can repeat and Speak The Truth can force his way into a second successive Miracle Mile.

Price will follow a similar path to which they charted last season, potentially hitting the Miracle Mile third-up in the campaign.

Last season it was an Albion Park win when resuming, followed by a win in the Cordina Group Sprint to gain the Miracle Mile ticket.

In 2025, Speak The Truth resumed in a Menangle event last week where he set the tempo over the 2300 metres after pressing forward from gate five to take control.

Fading in the closing stages, the six-year-old held on for third place behind the Inter Dominion winner Don Hugo, with the Kiwi visitor, Merlin, showing good speed to grab second place.

Drawn gate six for this week’s assignment, his conqueror from last start, Don Hugo will start from outside the front line, with 2023 Miracle Mile winner, Catch A Wave, drawn in gate four.

Only first and second place are guaranteed a spot in the $1 million Miracle Mile from the two Cordina Sprints.

TAKE A RISK

With Grant Dixon heading to Menangle, wife Trista steps in and has a full book for this Saturday night at 'The Creek'.

With several ‘live’ chances across the night, the advantage of barrier one looks to set up ideally for Risk Taker in race two.

Runner-up in three of his past five starts and successful at the other two, the map is potentially a carbon copy of what we saw last week, with the only difference being this week is at the mile.

Last week over the 2138 metre trip, Dexter Dunn had the lines on Risk Taker in the Ultimate Driver Championship and sent the gelding to the front soon after the start.

Releasing to Vinsanity, Dunn drove patiently and when the passing lane presented, darted through to claim an effortless victory.

Vinsanity will start from barrier two this week and Nathan Dawson will again partner with the Donny Smith-trained gelding.

A drop back to the sprint trip will work in Vinsanity's favour.

That map should provide Denny Rocks with the economical trip on the marker line from his inside second line gate, with the frugal trip making the fence exotics an appealing play.

THE DUKE, THE CAPTAIN AND A SECRET

Race five on Saturday night at 'The Creek' looks wider than the early price of $2.25 for the favourite suggests.

Duke Of Scotland is holding onto that title, as the five-year-old resumes from a short break.

However, the race is loaded with ability and chances across the board.

Captain Shuffles will be looking to bounce back following his last start defeat at the hooves of Tims A Trooper and drops back to the mile after contesting 2138 metre events at his past four appearances.

His last run at the sprint was a 1.50.8 victory, while Duke Of Scotland’s last appearance was his 1.49.1 track record-winning performance.

With Captain Shuffles drawn seven and Duke Of Scotland drawn six, Wisper A Secret could be the one as he makes his second run back from a spell.

Finishing behind Captain Shuffles when resuming in a race where tempo was against him, Wisper A Secret has since been back to the trials to churn out a 1.50.7 mile.

If the front line players damage each other’s hopes, Jimartee could be the knockout hope.

Resuming last week for his first outing since contesting the Inter Dominion Final last December, Bjorn Goop guided Jimartee to victory.

Regular pilot, Ricky Thurlow, reunites with Jimartee this week.