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Harness Newsroom: Colt going for double Derby glory

15 February 2018

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QUEENSLAND’S champion trainer Grant Dixon will be out to chase double Derby glory with Colt Thirty One at Menangle this weekend.

Fresh off what he described on Chris Barsby’s Mobile Rolling program as one of his “biggest thrills” in winning the Victoria Derby last month, Dixon will now be out to secure his second NSW Derby.

Colt Thirty One has drawn barrier 5 for Heat 3 of the series on Saturday (7.50pm), and will take on the likes of fellow Victoria Derby combatant The Devils Own NZ.

Colt Thirty One was rated a $5 chance to take the final at Menangle when the all-in market opened with UBET on Wednesday morning.

UBET’s head of product Gerard Daffy said he didn’t expect the price to stay around for long.

“We are expecting Queenslanders to get right behind him in the heat as well as to win the final, after his barnstorming finish to win the Victoria Derby,” he said.

Dixon’s heads to Sydney this weekend on the back of more strong form in Brisbane, training a winning treble with Alleluia, Majestic Major NZ and Frankie Rocks at Albion Park last Saturday.

 

Master Montana US bound?

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HE HAS been a money-spinner for the Darrel Graham stable of late but Master Montana’s days in Queensland may be limited.

The four-year-old gelding made it four wins on the trot after he won the UBET Qualifying Pace (C2+) at Albion Park on Saturday night, taking his season’s earnings past the $40,000 mark.

Known as Parker or ‘Little P’, Graham admits Master Montana is one of the favourite horses among the whole family, in particular to his daughter and Master Montana’s regular driver Brittany Graham.

“She really loves him and, as you can see in his race record, has built a really good record when Brittany drives,” Graham said.

However, Graham has shelved his immediate racing plans with the son of Rocknroll Hanover, with Brittany set to cut a deal that could see the gelding finish his career in the United States.

Brittany formed combinations with a number of US stables after spending a month driving there in 2016.

“They’ll be able to place him well over there,” Darrell said.

“He’s got perfect manners and good gate speed and will suit US racing.”

Graham applauded Racing Queensalnd’s recently introduced QBRED Cash bonus scheme, which he has taken full advantage of with Master Montana.

“It’s especially nice when an extra $1000 jumps into your account when you’re not racing for huge money some days,” he said.

 

Drivers keep funds rolling in for Team Teal

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QUEENSLAND’S female drivers have raised $3800 for the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group with more than three weeks left in the 2018 Team Teal campaign.

Twenty-two female drivers are wearing teal coloured pants to raise funds and awareness during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Racing Queensland, Albion Park HRC, Redcliffe HRC and wagering partner UBET has donated $200 for each winning drive by the participants.  

 

Marching on

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Not often does a trainer wins the biggest race of his career twice in the space of a week.

But that’s exactly what comeback trainer Richard March did in the past seven days, capping it off with a win in the Kevin and Kay Seymour Aspirational Pace with Clintal Do on Saturday.

And, if that wasn’t enough, March also claimed the quinella with last week’s Pot Of Gold winner Our Major Day finishing 4.6m adrift in second.

Congratulations Richard!

 

Lou chips-in

Long Legs Lou is edging closer to a second career win and a big cash injection for Bowel Cancer Australia.

The filly part-owned by Erin Molan and Kevin and Kay Seymour finished second in the Garrards Horse and Hound 3YO at Albion on Friday, adding another $972 to the fundraising effort, taking her total career earnings to $6556.

Long Legs Lou will line up again this Friday in the Hurrikane Kingcole @ Egmont Park Stud 3YO Pace (12.07pm) from barrier 10.

 

Meeting moved for better coverage

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REDCLIFFE Harness Racing Club hosts a rare twilight meeting this Sunday, replacing the usual Thursday afternoon timeslot.

The meeting was moved to take advantage of more favorable coverage on Sky Racing 1, compared to this week’s Thursday slot where a majority of races would’ve been shown on Sky Racing 2.