Dashman's harness examination - February 16

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

BLING BREAKTHROUGH

Mitch Cox claimed his first metropolitan training victory on Saturday night at Albion Park when arriving in the last strides aboard Hold Onto Ya Bling.

It was the first start that Cox had produced the six-year-old.

He had only taken over the training of the gelding following its previous start on February 6 for Shannon Price.

Starting from barrier eight, the gelding was able to hold the back of the leader, Llanfair Llewellan, who started from barrier one and posted the opening two quarters in 27.8 and 30 seconds. 

With the pressure back on through a third quarter in 27.3 seconds, Cox was driving patiently and as the field turned for home, he had the option to look inside for the passing lane or right line into open space.

Opting to angle outside, the six-year-old responded and reeled in the leader.

Hold Onto Ya Bling held off a late challenge from Mikis Joe who took the passing lane run.

Doubling as the first training win this season and first ‘metro’ winner of his career, it was the third driving win for the term recorded by Cox.

Hold Onto Ya Bling was also the credit for the first metropolitan driving win for Cox.

He partnered the gelding to victory in August of 2025 and has now driven the gelding to five wins.

TWO CHAINS AND ONE RECORD

Matt Elkins continued his great start to the season with a winning double last Tuesday at Albion Park when partnering Boston Bronski and Alby Two Chains to victory.

It was the win by Alby Two Chains that was the most impressive.

The gelding broke the 2138-metre standing start track record held by Hot And Treacherous with his 1.53.9 victory.

Starting from the 20-metre handicap, the eight-year-old was safely away as Gem Punter Pete began brilliantly from the front mark.

Leading up the one-wide line, Alby Two Chains moved up to the leader with 800 metres to run to apply the pressure.

With a 55.2 second middle half, the pace had been set to give the record a shake.

But, turning for home, Elkins had to get busy as Alby Two Chains appeared to have peaked.

However, the gelding was able to rally and fought his way off the canvas and made one last challenge to arrive in the last stride for a determined victory.

With the rate adjusted for the handicap, Alby Two Chains sliced 0.9 seconds off the previous mark.

It took his record to 13 wins from 80 career starts, with two of those victories since joining the Elkins barn.

Snaring the training and driving double early in the week, Elkins backed it up on the Friday with victory aboard Martin Magic who was first-up for his stable.

With 13 training wins now on the board for Elkins this season, he sits fourth on the state premiership.

SATURDAY SNIPPETS

Shannon Price helped Mitch Cox enjoy the win of Hold Onto Ya Bling in the opening race of the night.

She then extended the celebrations with a training double in the next two races.

Final Deadline secured his ticket south for a tilt at the Hondo Grattan Stakes and hopeful qualification for the Chariots Of Fire with an effortless victory from gate one.

It was an armchair drive for Adam Sanderson, highlighted by a 26.7 second closing quarter.

The second leg of the Price and Sanderson double came with a strong effort from Speak The Truth who claimed a 21^st career success in the free for all.

Forced to work hard when left parked three-wide through the opening 1000 metres, the seven-year-old was able to work to the front with 1100 metres remaining and hold on for a tough win.

Meanwhile, Cheerstolou also stamped a ticket south with a ninth Albion Park victory.

It was Cheerstolou's sixth in succession when graduating to free for all company.

Finding the front with ease from gate two, the gelding appeared to have plenty left on the line, despite producing an eye-watering 53.1 second closing half.

Not As Promised returned to winning form in the open trot, posting an 18^th career victory with the 1.55.4 performance.

The win was the second leg of a driving double for Nathan Dawson.

It followed the win aboard Reely Nauti when leading throughout in the open mares event.

THIS WEEK

The Ultimate Driver Championship has arrived with the second running of the series to be held across Friday and Saturday night.

On Wednesday, the driver draft will be conducted at Albion Park with all the strategy and scenario planning for each of the syndicates put to the test as they select the horses their driver will steer across the two nights.

The first of the Chariots Of Fire qualifiers will be held at Menangle on Saturday night with Fernco Nel and Final Deadline both in the nominations for the Hondo Grattan Stakes.

It is one of the two Menangle qualifiers for the Group 1 event.

While the UDC will be the focus, complementing the weekend action will be the regular Tuesday afternoon fixture from Albion Park and then Wednesday and Thursday meetings from Redcliffe.