Young gun Betts makes flying start to Queensland raid

By Jordan Gerrans

The travelling stable of Phoebe Betts has only been in the Sunshine State for a short time, but they have most certainly made their presence felt ahead of the 2026 Queensland Constellations.

The 22-year-old horsewoman has quickly racked up four victories inside seven days of her northern trip. 

The trainer and driver’s winning ways started at Redcliffe on Monday before a winning double at the same track two days later. She quickly added an Albion Park triumph for good measure on Thursday afternoon.

Betts has travelled north alongside fellow New South Wales horsewoman Olivia Frisby, who has already scored a winner herself as a trainer in the opening few days of the trip.

“We actually haven't even been here a week yet and they're all just going super,” Betts said on Thursday.

“We brought them up here thinking that they would do a decent enough job, but to get them going this quick, it is a little bit of a surprise.

“It's great that they've all settled in and fitted into the lifestyle really well.

“They're comfortable with the track and the surroundings and everything, they're obviously enjoying it.

“Actually, the majority of the horses I have brought up are new ones to my stable.

“I've probably only got four, I reckon, that I had originally and a few got sent to me to bring up here. So, it's been great.

“The racing system up here just suits a lot of horses a lot better than down home and people know that I'm coming up here.

“I have got a connection with them through that, through the last few years.”

The young Bathurst conditioner has made the trip north to Queensland over the winter months in recent years and usually heads north at the start of April. 

Alongside the 21-year-old Frisby, who is on her first Queensland trip, they are based at Redcliffe for their northern campaign. 

Olivia is the niece of Mudgeeraba horseman Chris Frisby.

“Generally, we come up a little bit earlier than this every year and bring about 10 or 12 horses,” Betts said.

“So, it's just something I've been doing for a few years now.

“There's a really good setup here where they are and they've settled in really good and eating well and everything like that.”

Johemian, who was driven by Frisby, started Betts’ winning ways at Redcliffe earlier this week before Take Out and Fifty Three Stars scored on the Wednesday program.

Also on Wednesday around ‘The Triangle’, Frisby prepared and drove Reason To Party to victory, with Betts running second in the race with Bolzano.

Betts made her impact felt in the city when Justa Dragon won over 2138 metres at Albion Park on Thursday afternoon. 

“The two that won on Wednesday night, I was rapt with them,” Betts said.

“Fifty Three Stars was quite short, but he had to do a mountain of work. I was really happy with his run.

“Take Out’s win came as a bit of a surprise. He's got a couple of tricks, but he went really well on Wednesday night.”

Skys Legacy also ran well for Betts on Saturday evening of last week at Albion Park before finishing ninth on Thursday over 1660 metres. 

Betts is not sure if any from her travelling team will aim up to the Queensland Constellations of 2026, but noted Skys Legacy could be a big improver. 

“He goes quite nice,” she said.

“He's still got a little bit to learn, but his first-up run here was good and he only got beaten by a small margin. If he takes the next step, he'll be there abouts. He's going really well at the moment.

“He's only just come from New Zealand and his few runs at Bathurst were really good. The first-up run here was excellent, as well.

“So, if he keeps heading in that direction, it could be a possibility.”

Running from June 20 to July 18 across Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg, the Queensland Constellations will feature more than $4 million in prizemoney and bonuses across five weeks of elite harness racing, including 15 Group races - eight of which are Group 1 events.