Dashman's harness examination - October 27

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

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

Proving that harness racing is a sport for all, the first four races at Marburg on Sunday boasted an average age of the four winning drivers at 71.75 years.

Victory in the opening race of the day went to the Dallas Wilkins-trained and reined Could It Be Me.

The eight-year-old gelding responded after a tough trip to score by a half-neck margin for the 70-year-old Wilkins.

In race two, Noel Parrish (who is 67 years of age) took advantage of the early speed possessed by Montana One, firing off the arm to find the front and ultimately lead throughout and defy the $101 starting price.

It was the second career victory for the seven-year-old gelding Montana One, who is trained by Trent Hodges.

It was the sixth victory in the sulky for Parrish this season.

In race three, Peter Greig drove the race favourite, who he also trains, Its A Sponge Darl.

The three-year-old gelding faced the starter for just the second time this season.

Winless during six two-year-old appearances, the gelding broke maiden ranks with an effortless win for the 72-year-old Greig who has over 1,000 training wins and more than 2,400 driving victories.

Making it a third win for the septuagenarians in the fourth race of the day, Rissoles claimed a third career victory when showing too much gristle to sit parked and claim success by a half-neck margin for 78-year-old trainer and driver Dexter McLean

It was the second win this season for McLean and Rissoles.

The pair combined for victory at Redcliffe back in January.

Gary Whitaker completed a driving double with wins in races five and six, before the age average for the winning drivers on the day was lowered as Paige Bevan and Jordan Topping driving the winners of races seven and eight, respectively.

NEW ZEALAND TRIP CONFIRMED

The state’s best pacer and arguably the best trotter had their respective New Zealand trips confirmed with impressive victories at two different tracks on Saturday night.

Leap To Fame overturned the disappointment of two successive defeats in Victoria when scoring an emphatic victory in a small field at Melton.

Starting from barrier six, trainer and driver Grant Dixon pushed on after the start and once in front was able to dictate the tempo in the small field to rate 1.52.6 for the 2240 metre journey.

After opening quarters in 29.7 and 29.4 seconds, Leap To Fame responded when Dixon asked for his champion to increase the speed.

The last 800 metres was recorded in 54.8 seconds, with a sharp 26.2 seconds for the last 400 metres. 

Leap To Fame will take a flight direct from Melbourne to the Shaky Isles and will be accompanied by three-year-old stablemate Fate Awaits.

At Albion Park on Saturday night, the open trot lost some intrigue with the scratching of the last start track record breaking Not As Promised.

That left the Chantal Turpin-trained Gus to start at the prohibitive odds of $1.30 to defeat his five rivals in the 2138 metre event.

Eased off the arm in the early stages as Golden Sunset took up the lead role, driver Pete McMullen was content to allow Gus to find his rhythm and stayed at the rear of the small field.

He did not make his move until the 600 metre point.

Allowed to slide forward, Gus quickly made ground and swinging the home bend, the only danger looked to be the leader Golden Sunset.

However, McMullen sat confidently and the six-year-old was too slick in the closing stages.

Stopping the clock in a 1.57.9 mile rate, Gus was timed to run his own last 800 metres in a slick 54.85 seconds. 

The performance stamped the ticket for Gus to return to his homeland.

The 16-time winner is set to take his place in the Dominion Trot at Addington on Cup day and potentially the free for all later the same week.

TORQUE ABOUT SUCCESS

Following a successful race debut at Albion Park on October 14, two-year-old colt Motion To Torque remained undefeated with a victory at Redcliffe last week.

Motion To Torque impressed on debut when running home strongly with a 55.48 second last 800 metre sectional.

He franked the first-up victory when overcoming gate six at Redcliffe second-up.

Eased off the gate to settle at the rear, Shane Graham produced an inspired drive, sliding between runners when making his move with 500 metres to travel.

Despite racing greenly and with plenty still to learn, the colt closed strongly to arrive for victory.

Trained by Wayne Graham, the colt is by Mr Feelgood and is the first winner this season for his sire.

Mr Feelgood only has six foals on the ground from his 2022 crop.

As the name would suggest, Motion To Torque is owned and bred by Ian Corazzol.

Corazzol uses Torque in the naming of his racing stock and the colt is out of the former Group 1 Ladyship Mile-winner Torque In Motion.

Producing success on the track, Torque In Motion has converted that success in the breeding barn with the latest winner maintaining her 100% success rate at stud.

Torque In Motion is the dam of seven live foals of racing age and all seven are winners.

They include the 2023 Queensland Oaks-winner Torque Like Motion and the 1.51.6 performer Justalittle Torque who won the 2020 Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes.

THIS WEEK

Friday racing returns to Albion Park this week following two months of Friday racing at Redcliffe.

Albion Park will race on Tuesday afternoon, Friday night and Saturday for the metropolitan fixture.

While at Redcliffe, racing will be Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, with the third meeting for the week at the Peninsula coming through on Sunday night.