Across the weekend, Grant Dixon will be very busy.
The country’s leading trainer will have 30 runners from his Tamborine stable chasing riches on offer at several meetings.
And across two states.
On Friday night, he will send a large team to Redcliffe for their feature card, the second night of the 2018 Racing Queensland winter carnival, with multiple runners in the main events – the $30,540 Redcliffe Gold Cup, the $20,450 Oaks and the $10,540 Trotters Cup.
His stable will also be represented at TABCORP Park, Melton with in-form mare Eleniark starting in the Gr.3 $30,000 Alabar Silver Chalice.
“Hopefully a big weekend with big results, which would be great. Looking at the runners in the features, I’m more than happy with them and with some luck, we should be able to play hand in most, if not all.” Dixon said.
The trio representing the stable in the Redcliffe Cup include 2015 winner Alleluia, Joys A Babe and Get In The Groove.
Dixon has prepared three of the last five Redcliffe Gold winners with Only The Brave, Majestic Major and Alleluia all proving successful.
“I’m really happy with Alleluia, he probably went through a flat patch for a period there but he’s found his mojo again and has that desire back. It won’t be easy given his handicap (20m) and with plenty of traffic in a full field but he’s going well.
“Both mares may require some luck but they’re going well enough to feature, Joys A Babe is yet to win from the standing start but her last start effort was good while Get In The Groove is having her first go at the tapes tonight but did step away well in a recent trial.”
Dixon will partner Alleluia while his wife Trista partners Joys A Babe and Isobel Ross lands the drive behind Get In The Groove.
In the Oaks, the stable send out class performers Aqua Miss and Fame Assured but will face a formidable challenge from New Zealand filly Sociable.
Aqua Miss proved her form with a game effort in last week’s Redcliffe Derby finishing second behind stablemate Colt Thirty One.
“I’ve always liked her and she continues to improve, her run last week was really good and the time was there too. The second-line is not ideal but she’ll be right in the mix.
“If Fame Assured turns up with her best form she will be very hard to beat but it hasn’t been easy for her lately. I’m working on something different things and hopefully she’s right for the weeks ahead.”
Dixon is driving Fame Assured while Trista sticks with Aqua Miss.
The Stevie Redback Redcliffe Trotters Cup is a new addition to the calendar and the Dixon stable has a quartet of chances with Mister Oz, Mister Gunsen, Giacomo and Our Overanova.
Last week, Mister Gunsen held off Our Overanova in preparation for this week’s feature.
“All of them are going well; with some luck they should prove hard to beat. I’d say Mister Gunsen and Our Overanova are the best chances given their recent form.”
And in Melbourne, Eleniark is aiming at the upcoming Vicbred Super Series and will use the Silver Chalice as the springboard to that series in the coming weeks.
“The Vicbred is the aim and this race fits her schedule nicely, it looks a really strong race but I’m more than happy with her current form and condition.
“She arrived in great order earlier this week and seems to have settled in well enough. I’ve put Greg (Sugars) on and he will drive her well, she will be competitive.”
And then on Saturday night, Team Dixon will have 14 runners at Albion Park.
So far this season, Dixon has prepared 228 winners.
Chris Barsby | RQ Web News | June 7 | Photo by Dan Costello