Dashman's harness examination - April 27

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

DASHING TO VICTORY

When looking at the pedigree of five-year-old gelding Dashing, there is no surprise that the gelding possesses speed and ability.

A son of former top race mare and $1 million earner Frith, Dashing claimed a 15^th career win on Saturday night when leading throughout in a 1.54.2 rate to claim the open pace.

Joining the stables of Shawn and Michelle Grimsey in January, Dashing has raced seven times and won on five occasions.

Saturday’s win was a fourth successive victory, with Nathan Dawson taking the reins on each occasion.

Working to the front soon after the start, Dawson was able to control the tempo with a pedestrian lead time of 39.1 seconds followed by an opening half of 59.1.

Set up for a sprint home, Dashing was in full control through closing splits of 26.5 and 27 seconds to record victory over Hector, with Jimartee following the fence home for third.

The win took Dashing past $200,000 in lifetime earnings.

It was a good night for the Grimsey stable.

They claimed 'the open' double, with Sergios Rocket narrowly defeating Zahra Lou in the open mare’s pace, providing the stable with the quinella.

COMMODORE WINS AGAIN

Commodore Jujon has been a great performer throughout a long career for his owner Dr John Mammino.

Purchased for just $4,000 at the APG Sales back in 2017, the now 10-year-old claimed the 24^th victory in his career at Redcliffe last Thursday.

Trained by Grant Dixon throughout his 266-start career, Commodore Jujon eclipsed $300,000 in earnings with the latest win.

Settling in the one-by-one trail as Rock Hammer set the speed, the veteran loomed strongly turning for home and held off a fast-finishing Rocks Or Diamonds to seal the win.

Jack Chapple took the drive, which secured a third career win aboard the gelding.

Along with the 24 wins, Commodore Jujon has displayed remarkable consistency throughout his career with a further 81 placings, comprised of 41 seconds and 40 thirds.

SATURDAY SNIPPETS

Nathan Dawson continued his metropolitan dominance this season, securing another quartet of winners on Saturday night.

Wins aboard Dashing, Ellis Street, Mikis Joe and Cool Night helped Dawson stretch his lead to 16 wins in the metropolitan premiership. 

He also took a seven-win lead in the national premiership over James Herbertson.

Meanwhile, Narissa Elkins landed a driving double, guiding Always Dancing and Tinder Surprise to victory.

Elkins took the reins for Alyce Finnis aboard Always Dancing.

The talented four-year-old was resuming from a spell and recorded a tough victory to lead throughout.

Training and driving Tinder Surprise, Elkins sent the nine-year-old straight to the front over the 2138 metre trip in recording a ninth career victory.

Teenager Tom Callaghan secured his first metropolitan training win during the Ultimate Drivers Championship in February when Gary Hall Jnr guided Sir Richard Lee to victory.

On Saturday, Callaghan claimed his first driving and training success with an emphatic victory aboard Sally Bigtime. 

The result for Callaghan doubled as a 150th career driving win.

Securing a mare’s qualifying pace, the six-year-old romped home to win by 30 metres.

STAR GAZING

There were several strong performances in the past week from horses that could be in the Sunshine State for the Queensland Constellations and the 2026 Inter Dominion.

The Grand Circuit continued in Perth last Friday with the Fremantle Pacing Cup where Magnificent Storm led throughout.

The Ray Williams-trained nine-year-old is unlikely to make the trip to Brisbane for the Inter.

However, Max Delight and Ubetcha Tigerpie, who finished third and fourth respectively, are set to be amongst nominations.

Winning the Nullarbor last week, Max Delight will potentially be lining up in a fifth Inter Dominion Championship.

In New Zealand, Swayzee was brave in defeat at Auckland’s Alexandra Park with a third-place finish behind The Lazarus Effect, with four-year-old Got The Chocolates finishing second.

The reigning The Golden Girl champion Eye Keep Smiling returned to winning form at Menangle on Saturday night in the Robin Dundee Stakes.

The Luke McCarthy-trained mare will now tackle the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile this Saturday.

THIS WEEK

Nominations for the 2026 Inter Dominion Pacing and Trotting Series close this Thursday at midday. 

The 2026 Championship has one major alteration from last year, with the distance of the Final reduced from 3157 metres back to 2680 metres.

Tuesday will be the start of 12 straight days of racing action in Queensland with a meeting scheduled every day through until May 9^th.

Albion Park will host the Thursday afternoon meeting with Redcliffe racing on Friday night.

Alwaysbjoy will tackle the New South Wales Oaks on Saturday night at Menangle following a third in the heats.

Post Painter will fly the flag for Queensland in the Queen Elizabeth II Mile.