Dashman's harness examination - November 17

Catch up on the week's harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.

QUEENSLAND GROUP 1 DOUBLE

Gus will return to Queensland a two-time Group 1-winner following his wins in the Dominion Trot and NZ Trot Free For All. 

Gus completed the double with contrasting performances.

Gus secured victory in the Dominion Trot with a last-to-first victory, pulling clear in the closing stages to secure a maiden Group 1 triumph.

Just three days later and Pete McMullen had to drive the six-year-old for a tough effort.

He sent the gelding forward when the speed eased to sit outside the leader Jilliby Ballerini.

Despite the short back-up, Gus was able to dig deep and pull clear to double his Group 1 tally with an emphatic victory, holding off Muscle Mountain and Oscar Bonavena.

Leap To Fame attacked Tuesday’s New Zealand Cup with some unfinished business following his late withdrawal on the eve of the race last year that had him grounded in Australia.

Lining up as the race favourite, Grant Dixon sent the champion forward to sit outside the leader where he would race for the majority of the 3200 metre contest. 

But, it was once again Kingman, his Victoria Cup conqueror, that was able to claim victory.

Brave in defeat to hold on for second place, Leap To Fame departs his first visit to the South Island with another Group 1 to his vast trophy cabinet following his win in the New Zealand Pacing Day Free For All.

A SENSATION SHE IS

Tremendous Sensation has been a revelation since arriving in Queensland to join the stables of Trent Lethaby and Taleah McMullen.

Finishing second at her first two starts in early September, the daughter of Betting Line has not been beaten since.

Tremendous Sensation's latest victory on Saturday night stretched her winning streak to six.

Sent to the front soon after the start, McMullen was able to repel an early challenge from Rickie Alchin aboard Wamboyneinamerica.

She controlled the tempo from the front and was never in danger.

Arriving with Lethaby as a two-time winner following victories at Forbury and Addington, Saturday’s success has taken her to eight wins from 24 starts.

Interestingly, she is yet to race in a mare's event since arriving in Queensland.

The mare was able to prevail in a stirring duel down the home stretch with Fernco Nel three starts back with that pacer subsequently posting a 1.49.3 victory.

The form of Tremendous Sensation opens various opportunities during The Starlights.

Despite yet to take on a mare’s event, the upcoming Queen of the Creek and Forever Gold would now be on the radar.

SWEET WIN FOR GEESON

Despite only turning out three horses in 2025 to date, trainer Gail Geeson is enjoying her best season since the 2004-05 term thanks to the latest victory of Candykane.

Victorius at Redcliffe on Sunday night, the six-year-old mare has improved with age, with the latest win her seventh victory this season.

Racing every month this year, it was the 11^th career victory for the mare.

Candykane's liking of the Redcliffe surface is evident from her record with all 11 wins coming on 'The Triangle'.

Nathan Rothwell claimed his first victory aboard the mare, joining Matt Elkins, Nathan Dawson and Leonard Cain who have all tasted race day success with Candykane.

Candykane sits fourth for all-time winners prepared by Geeson.

Former free for all performer, Bollinger, leads the list with 18, ahead of Explosiveness and Frostiness who each claimed 12 career wins.

Pinkchampagne, the three-year-old half-sister of Candykane, has added two wins to the season tally for Geeson and has qualified for the Redcliffe Yearling Sale Final.

It could be divided loyalties this Saturday at Redcliffe, with Zac Daniels, prepared by Gail’s husband Vic Frost also lining up in the race after securing victory in another heat.

DROUGHT BREAKER

After two unplaced starts for new trainer Al Barnes, five-year-old trotter Lizzies Son broke through for victory at Albion Park last Tuesday.

There was plenty to celebrate with the win, including the first win bonus for trotters along with the drought breaking win for driver Don Brown.

Moving north and ending a race driving hiatus of 17 years, Brown part-owns Lizzies Son with the newly established Northview Park enterprise, which is managed by Barnes.

Brown’s last driving winner was in December of 2002, when partnering with Pouch to win at Kilmore.

He took a three-year break and returning with 22 drives in the 2006-07 term.

Completing the necessary trial drives to make a return to the sulky, Brown was able to chalk up victory at his seventh drive since returning.

THIS WEEK

With only four races able to be completed at Albion Park on Saturday night, a change in programming for the remainder of the week is required to accommodate the Sunshine Stars Finals.

The Friday meeting at Albion Park now becomes a great night of action.

All five Sunshine Stars Finals will complement the Queensland Trotting Oaks and Derby, along with the last two heats of the Darrell Alexander Trotting Championship.

Saturday night action heads to the Peninsula, with the running of the Redcliffe Yearling Sale Finals alongside the first running of "The CJ".

Formerly named the Patrons Purse, the race has been renamed to honour the late Chris "CJ" Garrard, with the race restricted to four and five-year-old pacers.