Dashman's harness examination - February 9

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

SERIES SWEEP 

Aldebaranstilinski made a clean sweep of the Jim McNeil Trotting Championship Final with a dominant victory on Saturday night at Albion Park.

Entering the race as one of two runners handicapped from 20 metres, the five-year-old was safely away at the start and had moved into a one-by-one trail.

With one lap to travel and the field starting to come together, Nathan Dawson made his move, easing from the cover to move up and sit outside the leader Southern Diamond.

Racing together as the field moved down the back straight, Dawson sent the gelding into attack mode and approaching the 400 metre marker, Aldebaranstilinski had forged to the lead.

Pulling clear, the margin stretched out on the line, with Call Me Trouble, the other runner to start from the 20-metre handicap, grabbing second.

Sassy Galleon produced an eye-catching run in third.

The race favourite made an early error and lost her winning chances in the process, but was able to chase hard for driver Adam Sanderson.

Aldebaranstilinski joins Needle as the only winners to sweep the series since it has been held under the format of two heat rounds prior to the 2647 metre event.

The win is the first in the feature trot for Nathan Dawson and continues the strong start to the season for brother Mitchell.

Mitchell has seven wins from just 15 starters thus far in 2026.

GUS RETURNS WITH A STATEMENT

A 40-metre handicap in the Our Overanova Trotters Marathon was not enough to stop Gus starting his 2026 season with victory.

The seven-year-old produced a statement making victory first-up from a spell to secure the Listed feature.

All runners were safely away when the tapes were released at the start of the 3157 metre event.

Masterly was the first to find the front, before Hide And Seek made a rapid move to assume control within the first 400 metres.

Nathan Dawson then made a move aboard Not As Promised and the dual Group 1 champion took the lead with 2400 metres remaining.

With no moves for the next lap, it was Shane Graham and Golden Sunset that whipped around the field to get closer to the action with one lap to travel.

Sitting patiently aboard the favourite, Pete McMullen was forced into making a move with 600 metres remaining as the 2025 winner, Berriesandcherries, began to feel the pressure and was stalling in front of Gus.

Turning for home and Gus loomed ominously as Not As Promised tried to rally but had no answer to the Dominion champion.

Gus claimed a new track record for the 1.59.5 performance.

Gus in now a dual track record holder at Albion Park.

He holds the benchmark at both the 2647 and 3157 metre standing start trip.

Securing the 19^th win of his career, Gus also edged past $500,000 in stake earnings.

SATURDAY SNIPPETS

Group 1 champion French Fries returned to winning form on Saturday night. 

The four-year-old overcame a second line draw to win second-up from a spell.

Starting from gate nine, the Trent Dawson-trained and reined gelding scored a commanding win over Udderly Sweet, who was also the runner-up to French Fries in last season’s Triad Final.

Meanwhile, District Attorney made use of a perfect draw following the speed and continued the good start to the season for trainer Jack Butler.

Darting through on the passing lane, District Attorney secured a 14^th career victory, with Turn It Up grabbing second place for Shane Graham.

Turn It Up is now within $2,000 of surpassing $1 million in stake earnings.

After a lean January by his lofty standards, Pete McMullen took driving honours on the night, securing a quartet of wins, including a track record aboard Gus.

All four winners were prepared by Chantal Turpin, with Fernco Nel, Im The Falcon and Daisy Diana joining Gus as winners on the night.

THIS WEEK

The first race of the 2026 Grand Circuit will be the interstate highlight as Leap To Fame begins a quest for immortality.

No horse has ever been crowned the Grand Circuit champion on four occasions since its inception in 1977.

Leap To Fame, King Of Swing, Westburn Grant and Gammalite are all equal with three titles.

If Leap To Fame can secure victory in the Hunter Cup, connections will also bank the $1 million Cups bonus, following wins in the Ballarat, Cranbourne and Kilmore Cups as part of the series conditions.

Locally, there are five meetings for the week, with Albion Park hosting three and two from Redcliffe.