Reigning Albion Park Horse of the Year Glenferrie Hood is on target for the upcoming Racing Queensland summer carnival features.
A winner of three races from five starts this term, the Christian Cullen gelding has not raced since disappointing at Redcliffe back on October 27 when finishing at the rear of the field behind millionaire pacer Ohoka Punter in the Stevie Redback Pest Control Open Pace.
Trainer Wayne Graham elected to freshen his star performer in readiness for the open class features at Albion Park.
“It was established he was suffering from a virus so I backed off on him with the view of having him ready for the features next month. He went off his tucker which is very unlike him but he’s back to full health now and I’m happy with his condition,” Graham said.
“I could’ve started him this week but elected to give him the extra week; at this stage he’ll probably contest two of the three features. The $50,000 Queensland Cup is the main target and he’ll appreciate being back on the bigger track like many others.” He added.
Glenferrie Hood won 9 races last season and all of those victories came via Albion Park.
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Talented mare January has been sold and will do her future racing in North America.
The Kylie Rasmussen prepared mare was scratched from her event last weekend at Redcliffe owing to the sale.
Highly respected Perth based agent Frank Rinaldi negotiated the deal.
January won 14 races and managed 23 minor placings from her 64 starts while banking more than $112,000 in stakes.
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Young Brittany Graham is heading to Sydney to take up a position with SKY Channel.
The daughter of respected trainer Darrel and Albion Park committee member Linda, Graham has taken on a permanent role with the race broadcasting giant after coming their academy.
Graham has forged a tidy career in the sulky and enjoyed good success with the likes of Montana Falcon plus her own pacers The Next Star and The Falcon Ute.
Last season, Graham won the Seymour Group Lady Drivers Invitation Series at Albion Park.
Graham will be trackside this weekend at Albion Park in a hosting role with Greg Hayes for SKY.
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Up and comer Slice Of Heaven looks set for an exciting campaign following a stylish trial at Redcliffe on Wednesday.
Prepared locally by Donny Smith, the Rocknroll Hanover gelding dominated his 1780m public trial in a time of 1:59.0 defeating Courageous Leo and Bangkok Bravado.
Slice Of Heaven has not raced since winning at Albion Park on August 18 in a time of 1:55.4.
The five-year-old has won 11 of his 28 starts to date including his past three.
The summer carnival features next month could be a temptation for connections but another trial next week will determine future plans.
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Willowbank trainer John Edmunds and owner Tony Veivers are focused on the Gr.2 $40,770 Darrell Alexander Memorial Trotting Championship series starting next week at Albion Park.
Edmunds will take a trio of talented trotters to Albion Park tomorrow night in readiness for the series when Lavros Jack, Any Old Way and Spud contest the Pryde’s Easifeed Mobile Trot, the final race on the big program.
The 2138 mobile start event also features reigning Queensland Trotter of the Year Our Overanova and Melpark Royal Son, the 2016/17 Queensland Trotter of the Year.
The Edmunds trio have drawn well with Lavros Jack starting from the inside gate with Any Old Way drawn handy (gate 3) while Spud has landed the inside of the second-line, directly behind his stablemate.
Both Lavros Jack and Spud have displayed strong ability since joining the stable; Any Old Way is having his first stable for his new connections.
Previously prepared by Brent Lilley, the Sundon gelding gelding boasts a recent placing behind Kyvalley Blur in 1:58.1 for the 2240m distance at TABCORP Park, Melton.
Overall, Any Old Way has won 14 of his 84 starts while earning in excess of $140,000.
The DJA series starts next Friday with the opening round of heats at Albion Park over the distance of 2647m before switching to the 2138m the following week.
The 2647m final is scheduled for December 15.
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Young James Herbertson went home a winner after driving Honey Please to victory at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
Born and bred in Queensland, James is the son of respected horseman Ashleigh and Jody Herbertson.
The 18yo was enjoying a week’s holiday and catching up with family and friends and landed the drive on the Ray Cross trained trotting mare.
Starting favourite, Herbertson gave the Yankee Spider mare a perfect trip and proved too strong at the finish defeating Somedash and No Transactions in the 2280m stand start event.
It was the third time the pair has combined for success after scoring at Maryborough and Bendigo earlier this year.
“It was a great opportunity to take a few drives during my trip up here and I’m pleased for Ray that the mare performed to the level that I know she is capable of, she’s more than handy.” Herbertson said.
The in-demand reinsman returns to Melbourne today and will head to TABCORP Park, Melton tonight to drive the Bill Milner trained Opia in the Blue Pace Trot.
In the coming days, he takes drives at Horsham, Bendigo and Echuca.
Herberston landed his maiden winner at Terang back in March, 2016 when successful aboard Tearitup for his father Ashleigh.
“The family has recently moved farms and we’re mixing the horses with some sheep farming, we currently have around 10 in work.
“The best horse that I’ve driven so far is probably Vapar Grin while my winner at Melton (Upanatom) winner was pretty handy too.
“My goal is to drive 100 winners in a season while it would be great to drive a metro winner for Dad.”
Herberston has driven 15 winners to date this season.
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Louth Park trainer Darren Elder is heading to Brisbane for the summer carnival.
But unfortunately, his stables Shannonsablast and Bright Energy won’t be making the trip north after succumbing to injury.
However, Elder is bringing four pacers north with Sports Bounty, Days End, Hosier Lane and Justarumour.
All four pacers are engaged this Saturday night at Albion Park.
“The pick of them is Hosier Lane, he went great last start at Menangle and looks well placed this weekend despite a bad draw. We’re happy to support these young drivers and happy to have Deni Roberts driving for us,” Elder said.
“Shannonsablast got injured after his last start and is having some time off while Bright Energy was ready to go late last week before sustaining another injury. It was a shame because we have a big opinion of him.” He added.
Bright Energy was a winner of the Gr.3 $30,600 Simpson Memorial at Menangle in 1:52.0 last season.
The Elder family is chasing a two state double with Ashark starting in the $20,000 Club Menangle Where Horses Fly Final.
Prepared by Melanie and driven by Brad (Darren’s children), Ashark is a last start winner at Newcastle.
Chris Barsby | RQ Web News | November 23