David Russell’s quest for QBRED glory

By Duane Ranger

Timid Lady raced in three QBRED finals, and now Lake Clarendon trainer David Russell wants to win his first Listed race with that mare’s sixth foal, Feelingforarainbow.

The daughter of Mr Feelgood will be attempting to achieve just that in race one at Albion Park on Saturday night in the QBRED $25,660 4YO Entires and Geldings Final.

Stablemate - and Feelingforarainbow’s younger full-brother - Voodoo Fella, is the first emergency in the Group 2 $50,660 3YO Colts and Geldings Final; the sixth event of the evening.

“I thought Feelingforarainbow was a real chance until the draws came out, we wanted anything but one or eight, and of course he copped eight,” Russell said.

“I think if his younger brother got into his Final he would be up against it, especially with that good horse Governor Jujon in the field, who has opened up a very hot favourite ($1.25).

“Voodoo Fella is a better chance in race nine where he has drawn one ($26).”

Voodoo Fella is paying $151 in the QBRED Final, but Feelingforarainbow opened up the $3.50 favourite - Matt Elkins will drive both pacers.

“He’s a lovely horse, but has a bit of a reputation from being slow away from gates one, seven or eight,” Russell said.

“I think Matt’s only option is to try and hunt him out as quickly as he can.

“If he can get off the gate quicker and get a good sit, then yes he can repeat his recent form-line, but if he goes back it might be tough over the 2,138m.

“It’s taken two years for him to mature, and he’s almost there.”

Feelingforarainbow has won three of his last five starts, and 10 this season; his last start a gallant nose second behind Sole Ambition after drawing six.

His Mum (Timid Lady) won 35 races throughout her career, but sixth was her best in a QBRED final back in the early 2000s.

“He has the ability to win, but I just wish we could do the draws again,” Russell said.

“I’ll see how he goes on Saturday and then I’ll probably spell him for a month to five weeks.

“He’s the best we’ve got, but like I said he’s taken two years to get where he is, and we are hoping his brother will develop the same way.”

Russell works a team of 12 with his son Dan in the Lockyer Valley.

The duo will also line up $101 outsider, the Peter McMullen driven Perfect Feeling, against Feelingforarainbow in race one.

“He’s another Mr Feelgood gelding, who hasn’t finished further back than third in his last eight starts but this a whole new ball game, but he’s not the worst in this field,” Russell said.

“He’s really starting to hit his straps and I’m sure Pete will give him every chance however, with the right run I prefer Feelingforarainbow.

“It would a nice feeling to leave the track with a Listed winner.”

QBRED 2020 should see the nation’s leading trainer, Grant Dixon, win the coveted 3YO pace in race six with star gelding Governor Jujon.

Dixon has drawn eight with the Group 1 champion, and will follow out $10 second-elect Blackjack Bart, who will be driven by Dixon’s wife, Trista.

The Tamborine couple should also go close in the second event – the Listed $25,660 QBRED Triad 4YO Mares Final.

They will line up the $2.30 favourite Cherry’s The Best from gate five, where the daughter of Mach Three won well on the track on April 18 and 25.

She then finished a ‘next time’ nose second behind her stablemate, Miss Moneybags, at Albion Park two Saturdays ago.