Dashman's harness examination - December 8

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

ZAHARA EXTENDS RECORD

She came, she saw, she conquered.

Keayang Zahara only did what was necessary to secure the tenth Group 1 victory of her career on Saturday night after claiming the third running of The Great Square.

Robert Morris was able to weave a passage through the field from gate 12 aboard Sunset Hill and after 500 metres, he had worked to the front after early leader Maoris Mac was content to take the trail.

Jason Lee had Keayang Zahara positioned one out and three back and was content to sit there until approaching the 600 metre mark where he angled three-wide to make the move.

Morris realised his advantage and tried to pinch a break as Keayang Zahara then dropped in behind the leader with 400 metres remaining when enough space presented.

Maoris Mac was holding third and Valtino had moved into fourth place, with that quartet quickly establishing a big gap on the remainder of the field.

In the closing stages, Lee eased the champion mare into space and she quickly reeled the leader in and pulled away to score over a gallant Sunset Hill.

The win gave Jason Lee his 27^th Group 1 success in Australia, with seven of those aboard Keayang Zahara.

That compliments the two he secured last year in New Zealand when the pair annexed the New Zealand Trotting Oaks and Derby.

For co-trainers Marg and Paddy Lee, who became a training partnership last year, The Great Square victory was their 100^th winner since joining forces.

A THREE-WAY THRILLER

Turning into the Albion Park straight with just 197 metres remaining in the Blacks A Fake on Saturday night, just three horses were in position to claim victory.

With The Janitor trying to repel Leap To Fame and Don Hugo stalking from the trail, all three were locked in battle with Grand Circuit glory awaiting the winner.

A short-half-head by a half-head were the margins, producing one of the great finishes in Grand Circuit history as Don Hugo and Luke McCarthy were awarded the verdict.

The year of 2025 has been stellar for Don Hugo with two Grand Circuit victories to his name.

He also secured the Miracle Mile back in March.

Likely to now head to the paddock for a break, the Luke McCarthy-trained five-year-old will finish the season just $13,000 short of $1 million in stakes, which would have seen the stallion join Leap To Fame as the only Australian pacers with successive $1 million seasons.

The winning rate of 1.52.8 for the 2680 metre journey equaled the track record held by Leap To Fame set in the Blacks A Fake victory of 2024.

Leap To Fame was gallant in defeat after working hard in the run.

The Janitor announced his future is in the top tier after working to the front from his second line gate and fighting all-the-way to the wire.

SUPREME BRYSE

Rock Supreme will always hold a special place for Bryse McElhinney and on Saturday night the bond was further strengthened when the pair combined to win the opening race.

Claiming the 22^nd win of his career, Rock Supreme made the most of solid tempo to charge through a gap in the closing stages to stop the clock in 1.53.4 for the 2138 metre journey. 

In doing so he posted a new career-best winning rate.

The win provided McElhinney with his first victory at metropolitan level as a trainer and also provided his 50^th career driving success.

Just two years ago in November, on a program that hosted three of the same feature races that were held on Saturday, also in the first race of the night, it was Rock Supreme that scored an all-the-way victory.

On that occasion, the win provided McElhinney with his first win at metropolitan level as a driver, with Jack Butler training the gelding at that time.

Along with the ‘metro’ firsts, Rock Supreme has been the horse that has provided Bryse with other achievements. 

They include his first driving win achieved in 2021 and his first training win achieved exactly three years later, on June 30, 2024.

SATURDAY SNIPPETS

Ruby Rules produced a career-best performance to land a sentimental victory for Grant Dixon in claiming the Bill Dixon.

Working hard in pressing forward to the chair, the three-year-old filly stopped the clock in 1.50.5 with the win.

Meanwhile, Lux Aeterna secured her third successive feature race victory, claiming the Forever Gold at Group 3 level for trainer Rickie Alchin and driver Nathan Dawson.

The four-year-old mare has now won 18 of 36 starts and banked in excess of $600,000.

Angus Garrard and Darren Weeks combined for a winning double as Get Used To It took out the Group 3 Trotting feature and Mullum Hank claimed victory in a qualifying pace.

THIS WEEK

A change to recent weeks for the week ahead with Albion Park returning to racing on Friday afternoon, with Redcliffe reverting back to the Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon schedule.

Wednesday night at Redcliffe features Christmas Cups for both pacers and trotters, along with the 2025 Redcliffe Guineas.

Racing on Sunday will be held at Marburg instead of Warwick’s Allman Park.

Saturday night’s Christmas Cup at Albion Park could see a showdown of the brothers, with both Leap To Fame and Swayzee appearing in the nominations.

The card will also feature the Members Cup and the Trotters Christmas Cup.