Leading owner Greg Mitchell is eyeing off next month’s trotting feature.
The Gr.2 $40,000 Darrell Alexander Memorial Trotting Championship series starts on December 2 at Albion Park with the final scheduled for December 17, the same night as the Gr.2 $50,000 Gold Coast Cup for the open class pacers.
And Mitchell plans on bringing home the silverware.
The enthusiastic owner is a keen supporter of both gaits but his passion for the straight out trotter runs deep and he’s keen to win the state’s biggest event.
Headlining his team is the recently crowned Queensland Trotter of the Year and perennial performer Our Overanova while the back-up is consistent performer Blue Don.
Both trotters were purchased from New Zealand and both have performed at a high level since being on Australian soil with leading trainer Grant Dixon.
So, it’s not surprising that Mitchell has sourced another trotter from the shaky isles to further bolster his stocks for next month’s feature.
The latest addition to the team is Foursharesmorebeers.
The deal was negotiated through Garrick Knight and his company Knight Exports, a reliable source for Mitchell over the years.
“I’ve been scouting this horse for a few months but the original asking price was a little steep so I sat patiently and ended up landing him at a fair price. Although he’s still a maiden performer I think he’s got talent, he actually hails from a terrific family and is closely related to current star Sheemon.” Mitchell said.
Foursharesmorebeers has faced the starter on 15 occasions with 4 minor placings to his credit.
A son of Monarchy, the same sire of both Our Overanova and Blue Don now gives Mitchell and Dixon a three-pronged attack for the DJA series.
“I think it’s a good team for that series plus it’s a good mixture of class, obviously this guy will get in well given he’s a maiden while my other guys are proven performers. Hopefully this new guy settles in well and is ready to fire by the time the series starts.
“I’m really happy with Our Overanova and Blue Don; both are trotting in excellent form and will command respect. The handicap for Our Overanova is obviously the biggest challenge; he starts off a 60m handicap this weekend which is pretty tough to overcome.
“Even Blue Don is now starting to find a tough mark and he starts of 30m again this weekend too, it won’t be easy for either of them but their consistency is the key. Winning this series next month might come via the new horse that will start from a front-line handicap.”
The Darrell Alexander Memorial Trotting Championship Final was won last year by My Valerie, trained by Blake Fitzpatrick and handled by Pete McMullen.
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