Talented mare The Charging Moa has run her final race in Queensland.
The New Zealand bred daughter of Changeover – Special Ops has proven to be a great money-spinner for her connections winning 13 of her 16 races in the Sunshine State.
And 11 were recorded at Albion Park.
A winner of four Rising Stars Finals at Albion Park, the speedy type recorded a personal best time of 1:53.8 in winning one of her finals.
At her most recent start on November 3 at Redcliffe, The Charging Moa finished an unlucky fourth as favourite behind Sweet As in a time of 1:57.4 for the 1780m event.
Leading horseperson Kylie Rasmussen was the most recent trainer of the mare where she won 3 of her 8 starts under her tutelage.
A talented sit-sprint type, The Charging Moa is headed to Victoria to join the stables of Dean Braun.
Ultimately, the mare could end up in North America given the huge success ‘downunder’ mares have experienced over the past twelve months spearheaded by the ex-Braun trainee Shartin among many others.
The Charging Moa ranks as a half-sister to Bettor Ops (9 wins - $92k).
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Broodmare Smooth Class achieved a rare result last night (Wednesday).
The French Chef mare produced the quinella result in the UBET Pace at Redcliffe when Took Your Time defeated older brother Spondooley.
Both pacers are sired by Grinfromeartoear.
And both geldings are raced by Perth based owner Tanya Graham and prepared by her highly respected father Wayne.
Young gun Leonard Cain took the winning drive behind Took Your Time while Wayne partnered Spondooley.
Took Your Time (better known as Fletch) takes his record to 6 wins from 24 starts while Spondooley (aka Nash) has won 21 of his 210 starts.
Their combined prizemoney now sits at $168,287.
“It was a massive thrill seeing the boys fight out the finish, it didn’t matter who won as long as they both did their best. It’s very satisfying; they provide me with the opportunity to get home as much as I can because they’re my Flight Centre account.” Graham said.
Based in Perth, Graham operates the Gloucester Park Garrards Horse & Hound store.
The Graham family is synonymous in Queensland harness racing circles after racing the likes of Sparkling Melody, Yahoo Buckaroo, Albert Aralar, Mach Alert and reigning Albion Park Horse of the Year Glenferrie Hood.
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Former multiple Queensland premiership winner Alan Donohoe is back in town.
Based in Victoria for the past decade, Donohoe has returned home and prepares his small team of pacers at Alberton, south of Brisbane.
His blue silks with a yellow diamond are very familiar to punters.
Venturing to Redcliffe last night (Wednesday) with his first starter since relocating, Donohoe finished as runner-up behind Montana Express aboard race favourite Gunrneedrbigrboat in the Darren Ebert & Co Pace.
Donohoe has prepared and won many features in Queensland with the likes of Armada Miss, Grants Law, Penny The Pussycat, Academy Award, Devils Dream, Pocket Battleship and Stratum among many others.
His haul of state and metropolitan premierships is very impressive;
State Drivers Premiership winner
86/87
90/91
94/95
97/98
98/99
Metro Drivers Premiership winner
90/91
91/92
94/95
95/96
97/98
98/99
Metro Trainers Premiership winner
94/95
95/96
Donohoe never won a State Trainers Premiership.
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A trio of classy mares was back in action earlier this week (Tuesday).
Four-year-old mares Lisa Lincoln, Fame Assured and Aqua Miss all lined up in a Redcliffe trial over 1780m and performed as expected.
The Melissa Gillies trained Lisa Lincoln led throughout defeating the Grant Dixon duo of Fame Assured and Aqua Miss in the 1780m workout.
The winning mile rate was 1:58.3 with sectionals of 31.2, 28.8, 29.5 and 29.2 seconds.
With a return to Albion Park imminent, expect to see these mares back in action shortly.
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Star Of Montana has scored himself a summer vacation.
The exciting prospect, formerly prepared by legendary Auckland horseman Barry Purdon, has failed to handle the heat and humidity of a scorching Queensland spring.
As a result, new trainer Darrel Graham is now left to radically change his upcoming engagements.
“He’s basically melted under the Queensland sun; I was happy with the early stage of his preparation but as we got deeper, it got hotter and he hasn’t coped at all. To be fair, it has been very trying weather patterns lately with plenty of storm activity but he’s
not worth risking or pushing on with so he’s out until February.” Graham said.
The Art Major gelding was being readied for the upcoming Victoria and New South Wales Derby classics early next year but now the ultimate target has become the home town Queensland Derby in the middle of winter.
A return trip to Purdon was considered before sending him to the spelling paddock.
“I asked Dean (Shannon – owner) if he wanted him to go back to Barry for a shot at some of these bigger races but he wanted him back in the paddock, he believes he will acclimatize in time.
“The Queensland winter carnival followed by a trip to Melbourne for the Breeders Crown if his form warrants it is the key focus now; they’re both in cooler conditions which will help.
“It’s disappointing because we have a good opinion of him and thought he was up to the standard required to be very competitive in those southern features.”
Shannon races talented three-year-old Belle Of Montana, a tidy Alexandra Park winner on debut back on October 26.
The Bettors Delight – Lady Cullen filly is likely to head to Brisbane next year in preparation for the Queensland Oaks.
Chris Barsby | RQ Web News | November 15