Dashman's harness look ahead - March 6

Look ahead to this weekend's harness racing action in our weekly preview, thanks to Darren Clayton.

Queensland trainers will attempt to plunder the southern riches on offer at Menangle on Saturday night, with runners across the card.

At Albion Park, the highlight on Saturday night will be the Tony Veivers Memorial Trot on a nine-race card, complementing an eight-race meeting on Friday night.

FRIDAY FIND

Race six - Nitrator. The Gemma-Hewitt trained three-year-old resumes from a spell off the back of a smart trial. 

With successive wins to round out last season, he can return with a bang.

SATURDAY SPECIAL

Race eight - Daisy Diana. Just two starts back the mare ran the airborne Post Painter to a half-neck. 

She was forced to sit parked last start and she has the gate to dictate.

SUNSET TO SHINE

Race four on Saturday night is named in memory of a passionate owner and breeder who achieved his greatest moment when talented trotter Not As Promised secured dual Group 1 wins.

The 2026 Tony Veivers Memorial Trot will not feature Not As Promised.

The gelding underperformed last week and is needing time off.

Despite the absence of the track record holder and the superstar Gus, a quality field has still been assembled.

They include Taylad To Use and former track record holder Golden Sunset.

Runner-up last week behind Gus, Golden Sunset has been a wonderful purchase by trainer Shawn Grimsey.

Golden Sunset has won on 14 occasions and placed a further seven times in 30 starts since joining his stable.

Ending 2025 with victory in the Christmas Cup on December 13, her next start was not until January 31 when leading up.

She faded late as her condition gave out.

Last week’s effort from inside the second line was sharp and with a move to the front line, albeit it wide, should suit ideally.

The dangers appear through Ajay Volstead.

Nathan Dawson takes the reins of Ajay Volstead for trainer Darren Weeks and with options at the start as the lone runner on the second line, he will make his presence felt.

ATTACHMENT TO BOUNCE BACK

Numerically, the past two runs of the Chantal Turpin-trained Attachment do not present well.

However, a deeper dive points to excuses and with better conditions on his side this Saturday night, the five-year-old can bounce back with a bang.

Aided by an early scratching, the gelding will now start from barrier one and will get the chance to utilise his early speed to be in front soon after the start.

A Group 2 champion last August over this same trip in the Four-year-old Triad Final, his season wrapped up with a victory, again at 2138 metres, in September.

Making a mess of the standing start when resuming, his effort was sectionally impressive when finishing at the rear as Alby Two Chains won in a new track record.

Second-up, he was sent around the field in the middle stages from a second line gate, but a middle half off 55.9 seconds and closing half of 55.5 seconds took its toll.

The obvious threat will likely be stalking the speed, with Congo Line drawn to start from inside the second line.

Deus Ex looks to have recaptured some form for Jack Butler and might attempt to make a play for the front with his good speed.

Mullum Hank has been a model of consistency this season.

QUEENSLAND ASSAULT

With only one spot in next week’s Miracle Mile currently guaranteed, the Chariots Of Fire and Sprint qualifiers at Menangle are set to produce thrilling racing.

Queensland trainers will be represented in all three races as they attempt to qualify for the $1 million Mile.

The opening Sprint qualifier will feature Leap To Fame, Speak The Truth and Cheerstolou.

The trio are facing a race that features the defending Miracle Mile champion, Don Hugo, who has drawn gate one.

If the emergency is not required, Speak The Truth will start from barrier two and Leap To Fame three in a race that should produce some early sizzle with noted speedster Hi Manameisjeff starting from gate four.

The Janitor has landed barrier one in the second Sprint for Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen.

The five-year-old is tackling the race fresh following a last start third behind Don Hugo and Leap To Fame in the season ending Blacks A Fake back in December.

Pinseeker will start alongside The Janitor and will be pressing forward, with Kingman running from gate six and Swayzee the widest runner from gate 10.

The Chariots champion gains a Miracle Mile berth should connections wish to accept and a spot being claimed by a Queensland-trained runner rest upon Fernco Nel and Final Deadline.

It will be a tough ask for the pair with Captains Mistress a $1.05 chance to be the fourth mare to win a Chariots since its inception in 1995.

QBRED Triad-winner Fire And Passion will chase a spot in the New South Wales Derby and draws ideally in gate one for Grant Dixon.

Move It Lou was runner-up behind Fire And Passion last start and the Turpin and McMullen team will chase a Derby spot from barrier two in the third heat.