Adam Crocker holds on to claim TAB Trot Rods crown

By Jordan Gerrans

Experienced Queensland driver Peter McMullen loves to go fast and win.

So, a series like the exciting TAB Trot Rods at Redcliffe suits his personality and racing style perfectly.

It was fitting 'Leader Peter' could claim the second edition of the series in 2021.

McMullen and stable newcomer Adam Crocker were the clubhouse leaders going into the final round of heats on Wednesday evening at Redcliffe and while they all tried across the final 10 heats, they could not knock over the scintillating time of 63.8 seconds, set seven days prior.

As a result of their triumph, driver McMullen and trainer Chantal Turpin, Peter’s wife, win a swag of prizes on top of their prize money already earnt.

A $10,000 bonus will be awarded to the owners of Adam Crocker with the fastest time throughout the series, thanks to Otto Tuza.

The winning trainer, Turpin, will also receive an Otto Tuza two-horse angled and fully enclosed horse float valued at over $21,000.

“Certainly, I love to go fast, so this series probably suits me,” McMullen said.

“It has been a great night of racing and a great series all around.

“I am pretty excited about taking out the series and being about to take that beautiful float home.

“I need to thank Gary the owner of Adam Crocker for letting us have this horse and letting us go in this series.”

The four-year-old pacer, Adam Crocker, has been a star since moving to Queensland, registering three straight wins to put his career tally to six victories from 28 starts.

Adam Crocker has won his first three starts for McMullen and Turpin, two at Albion Park and now one up at Redcliffe around the triangle.

Adam Crocker has seen plenty of Australia in his short career, racing and being trained in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and now Queensland.

He has South Australian-based owners, who have long had an association with the leading Queensland stable of McMullen and Turpin.

Following the TAB Trot Rods series, McMullen expects Adam Crocker to go through his classes in the Sunshine State and then potentially be sold to the USA later on.

On top of claiming the 2021 Trot Rods crown, it was another successful evening for McMullen at Redcliffe on Wednesday, driving three winners.

“The Postman” Nathan Dawson was the star of the show on Wednesday, driving the first three winners on the card, before finishing the evening with four to his name.

“It is my first time doing Trot Rods, I was meant to drive last year, but I got suspended,” Dawson said.

“I think it is good, it is a good initiative so let’s keep it up.”

Virgil and Narissa McMullen scored in the ninth heat on the card at Redcliffe on Wednesday night, posting a swift time of 64.4 seconds over the 947-metre distance, the closest to Adam Crocker’s benchmark of 63.8 in the final evening of the series.

Redcliffe Peninsula Harness Racing and Sporting Club Bernie Ring believes the 2021 edition of TAB Trot Rods was a roaring success, culminating with a massive crowd on hand at “The Triangle.”

“It has really blown me out of the water, this series,” Ring said.

“With Adam Crocker’s time last week and the exciting racing on the final night, as well.

“The vibe at the club was excellent on the final night.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves, we had people from Racing Queensland’s board, officials from the TAB and also from Radio TAB.”