Dashman's harness look ahead - September 19

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

Ten races will be decided at this week’s metropolitan fixture at Albion Park, with the highlight races of the night at the end of the card as races nine and 10.

Queensland owners and trainers will also be represented at Menangle in the Listed Carousel Final following last week’s heats.

Redcliffe will chime into the weekend action with eight race cards on Friday and Sunday night respectively.

GET ON

Albion Park Saturday. Race seven, number one. Cheer Leader.

Not much has been in the favour of the Grant Dixon trained mare in recent starts. With the benefit of gate one and the options that presents, this looks a race she can return to winning form.

GUS UP LATE

Race 10 is set to jump at 10.42pm on Saturday night, with Queensland’s leading trotter, Gus, set to run favourite in the seven-horse event.

Finishing fourth in the Inter Dominion Final behind Arcee Phoenix on July 19, the six-year-old backed up seven days later when successful over the mobile mile.

Sent for a break with a view to a potential New Zealand campaign in November, the Chantal Turpin trained gelding was spotted at the trials in readiness for his return to the track.

Saturday’s assignment will see Gus start from a 30-metre handicap, with his main threats all starting from the 20-metre tape.

The most interest will come from Mufasa Metro, the former Victorian lining up for Tayla Gillepsie for the first time.

Runner-up to Just Believe in the 2023 Inter Dominion when prepared by John Justice, the seven-year-old has started at The Creek on six previous occasions, placing in five of those appearances.

Last start winner Hide And Seek was sent back to the trials following his latest victory after running up the track at the 400-metre mark.

The enigmatic five-year-old is brilliant at his best, and despite regathering rhythm to score last start, he is a trotter that can be hard to follow with his errant ways.

Get Used To It looks the other horse capable of an upset, the Darren Weeks trained gelding resuming with an eye-catching second behind Hide And Seek last start.

With the added fitness from that outing, Angus Garrard will again partner with the nine-time winner.

ROCKET TO LAUNCH

Highly talented four-year-old pacer Birkirkara will resume from a spell in the sixth race of the night and will face a race hardened and in-form Rocket City.

Birkirkara last race in The Rising Sun during the Constellations Carnival where the jack Butler trained entire was unplaced behind Fate Awaits.

Scorching the mile in 1.50.6 to force his way into The Rising Sun, his previous two starts were a solid effort in The Queensland Sun when fifth behind Path To Greatness and a third behind Turn It Up when tackling open company.

Given a standing start trial in preparation for his latest campaign, Birkirkara attacked the line strongly in the closing stages, breaking 55 seconds for his own last 800-metres.

However, the entire has drawn gate three for his return, to the outside of the in-form Rocket City which will be shooting for a third win from his past four starts.

Chasing a hat-trick of wins last week, the Donny Smith trained pacer was forced to work hard in the run when finishing second over the 2138 metre journey as Attachment claimed a 2-metre victory.

Able to find the front at his previous two starts, Rocket City claimed decisive victories on each occasion, including a 1.50.5 PB at the mile, the same trip as this week’s assignment.

Layne Dwyer will take the drive aboard Rocket City this week to utilise the concession claim, with regular driver Nathan Dawson to reunite with Birkirkara.

CAROUSEL TROPHY HEADED NORTH?

Since transferring to the Jason Grimson stable, Our Sweet Delight remains unbeaten in two starts and the classy three-year-old can chase another feature race success in Saturday night’s Carousel Final.

Easily winning his heat last week, the colt will again be driven by Cam Hart for the final, with New South Wales leading reinsman winning all four-heats of the series.

Our Sweet Delight is raced by prominent Queensland owner and breeder Tony Turpin who will be looking for a two-state double with Teddy Turpin to race the first race at Albion Park on Saturday.

A strong showing in the Carousel will confirm a shot at the Victoria Derby for Our Sweet Delight who claimed the QBRED Breeders Classic Final last season as a two-year-old.

Queensland will also be represented by Cosmic Flyer in the Final, the Anthony Gorman trained and Gary Bond driven four-year-old progressing through after finishing third in his heat behind Alta William.

Settled four back along the inside in the run, Cosmic Flyer steamed home in the closing stages to grab third place and book his ticket for the final.

Cosmic Flyer will jump from barrier three, while Our Sweet Delight will move into barrier eight should the second emergency not be required.