Trent and McMullen find their Trot Rods facts

By Jordan Gerrans

Speedy pacer Fact Finder can lay claim to being the 2025 Trot Rods champion following his decisive victory in the last of 10 heats from Redcliffe on Wednesday evening. 

And, the Trent Dawson-prepared gelding also rewrote the history books in the popular short-course racing series by smashing the clock for the greatest time ever recorded over 947 metres at the venue. 

With young gun reinswoman Taleah McMullen in the bike, the four-year-old recorded a stylish 62.99 second victory to claim the title for the 2025 series. 

The scintillating 62.99 second performance shattered the previous high mark in the series which was held by interstate reinsman Cam Hart and Just Dessy, who took the honours in 2022 in 63.46 seconds.

Fact Finder’s stunning performance is the best effort around ‘The Triangle’ since the concept was first introduced back in 2020. 

Dawson’s Fact Finder took excellent form into Wednesday’s contest as a $1.70 favourite as he had won his last four races dating back to early April.

The 39-year-old Dawson was chuffed to set the fastest time ever in Trot Rods. 

“That is pretty impressive,” Dawson said.

“I am glad mine came out on top because all the top three looked like they were going to beat the fastest time in our race.”

As Dawson notes, Fact Finder went to the line with Donny Smith’s Vinsanity but McMullen got the best out of her gelding in the concluding stages. 

Following the first 10 heats in recent weeks, Rockon Rocky was the clubhouse leader after stopping the clock with a time of 64.04 seconds leading into Wednesday evening’s finale program.  

The reigning Trot Rods champion Hold Onto Ya Bling claimed the 16^th heat on Wednesday evening in 63.7 seconds to set the new benchmark. 

The in-form Fact Finder had other ideas and quickly surpassed all that had come before him in the 20^th and last heat of the 2025 series. 

Fact Finder is raced by leviathan owners Kevin and Kay Seymour.

“I haven’t had runners in this series in the last couple of years but early on, we had a couple in it,” Dawson said.

“We did ok back then, but we did not win the final prize. We just needed the right horse.”

On Monday evening a draft was held to allocate horses to each driver for the upcoming heats on Wednesday. 

McMullen had the first pick in the last race and was quick to snap up Fact Finder. 

The gelding had raced at Redcliffe only once before Wednesday, where he finished unplaced in the Redcliffe Derby Consolation last season.

As well as claiming the overall prize, McMullen had a night out on Wednesday, driving a treble of winners after scoring in two earlier heats as well as Fact Finder’s romp.

McMullen was one of five drivers who competed in the finale night for Trot Rods and says it is a concept she enjoys competing in. 

From the third gate in the front row, Fact Finder began smartly for McMullen and led in the opening stages and was not headed from then on. 

“It is good, great for something different,” the young horsewoman said.

“I like getting out there against all the good drivers, it is really nice.”

McMullen was one of two drivers who was voted in by harness racing fans to take part in the finale evening alongside youngster Jack Chapple. 

A $1,000 bonus was awarded to any horse who bettered the official leading time through the series.

Dawson and the Seymours both won a $10,000 cash bonus for claiming the overall prize.

Redcliffe Harness Racing Club President Mark McNee says Trot Rods is a series that continues to go from strength-to-strength. 

“I would like to thank all the trainers and drivers who supported the series,” the club boss said.

“It is very good and it gets better every year.”