Trot Rods decider set to light up 'The Triangle'

By Darren Clayton

In the 2026 edition of the Trot Rods, 64.14 seconds is the time to beat.  

The one lap 947 metre sprint format is restricted to five runners per heat. It produces fast and furious racing in pursuit of the $10,000 bonuses on offer to the owner and the trainer of the quickest winner across the series.

With 10 heats completed, the action ramps up this Wednesday with the remaining 10 heats of the 2026 Trot Rods series ready to light up 'The Triangle'.

Splash Of Paynt heads the series for trainer Matt Elkins following five weeks of preliminary heats and the four-year-old gelding will have the last right of reply if the time is lowered in heats 11 to 19.

Set to contest the last heat of this year’s Trot Rods, Splash Of Paynt could be in a unique position.

In six editions of the Trot Rods, the overall winner of the series has been decided in the last heat, including the past two years. 

The track and series record is held by the 2025 champion Fact Finder, who stopped the clock in 63 seconds to take the title for driver Taleah McMullen and trainer Trent Dawson.

On Monday evening, the driver draft was completed with the five competing drivers selecting who they would partner with across the last 10 heats.

Brendan Barnes, Nathan Dawson and Taleah McMullen have all competed on the night previously. McMullen drove a treble of winners in her two appearances.

Adam Richardson will make his first appearance in the Trot Rods Final, while South Australian reinswoman Dani Hill lines up as the invited driver.

With frenetic action guaranteed, let's see where the winners could come from.

HEAT 11 

Mister Delwin has contested the Trot Rods format once previously which resulted in a win.

With the second pick in the draft for this heat, Nathan Dawson has opted to partner with the Graham Dwyer-trained gelding.

A fast beginner, Mister Delwin has won 11 races at Redcliffe and victory would give Dawson a 12^th Trot Rods Final night victory.

Brendan Barnes had first pick from this race and opted for the John McMullen-trained Roseanne Ruby, who is a two-time Redcliffe winner but is untried at the short course.

HEAT 13 

With three wins from his past four starts, the in-form Uncut Gem will start from barrier one for trainer Ben Battle.

Adam Richardson drafted the gelding who is untested at the 947 metre journey. But, he does boast four wins from 12 starts on 'The Triangle'.

Previously prepared by Riley Butt, the gelding was sent to the Sunraysia before finding his way back to the stables of Battle in April.

Uncut Gem won successive Redcliffe races before a last start victory at Albion Park.

My Ultimate Buddha was selected by Taleah McMullen who had first draft pick for this heat. The track record-holding driver was not phased by the outside barrier.

HEAT 15 

This heat should be willing early, with a number of quick beginners across the front line.

Race For Riches is a two-time winner on 'The Triangle' from just three starts. Race For Riches will have the opportunity to drop straight to the fence if Rocksngems can hold the front.

Trained by Grant Dixon, the gelding caught the eye when hitting the line strongly on Saturday night in a qualifying pace.

Adam Richardson will partner the four-year-old and he was quick to snap up the gelding with the first pick at the draft.

Brendan Barnes had second pick and opted for Mardibringsaparty.

HEAT 16 

The Trot Rods format looks tailor-made for Blackjack Crippa and the gelding has the record to match.

With four previous attempts at the flying 947 metre trip, the five-year-old has three wins and one second placing. 

Blackjack Crippa also has an overall Redcliffe record of 10 wins and four minors in 18 starts.

Dani Hill secured some Trot Rods luck after picking the drive on the Grant Dixon-trained runner who will start from barrier two.

Blackjack Crippa was marked as the top ranked runner and Hill was able to snare the horse with the fourth pick in the race.

Dragon was the first horse drafted in this heat. Brendan Barnes opted to partner with the Darrel Graham-trained five-year-old.

HEAT 20 

Will Splash Of Paynt still have the quickest time leading into the last heat of the 2026 Trot Rods?

Can he go even quicker?

Those two big questions could set up the last of the series for a terrific showdown.

Adam Richardson had first pick in Monday’s draft and happily selected the clubhouse leader. Splash Of Paynt will start from barrier one if the emergency is not required.

The start could be all important for the Elkins-trained gelding from the inside.

With pick three, Nathan Dawson snapped up Hold Onto Ya Bling. Dawson is hoping that lightning can strike twice.

The Mitch Cox-trained gelding produced a 63.86 second flying lap to arrive in the closing stages of the final heat and take the 2024 Trot Rods title.