by Chris Barsby
Stockleigh horseman Doug Lee is chasing another victory this weekend.
The Gr.3 $20,600 Jim McNeil Memorial Trotting Championship at Albion Park is the feature and Lee is chasing back to back victories.
Last year, Lee proved triumphant when his talented performer Justabitnoisy proved successful defeating Wirra Storm and Johnny Springfield in the trotting feature.
And this year he has a three-pronged attack with Scorched, Joseph H and Princess Jessica all representing his stable.
“I think we’ve got as good a chance as anyone else in this final, the heats have been quite open and keenly contested so luck in running will play a big role in the outcome. If you pinned me down, I would nominate Scorched as the best of my trio because he’s still on the way up.” Lee said.
Remarkably, Lee only prepares a team of seven racehorses, six of which are trotters.
The sole pacer in his stable is Illawong Dreamtime, a onetime trotter turned pacer late in his career.
Over the past fortnight, Lee picked up two of the four heats contested with Scorched and Princess Jessica both proving triumphant.
“Scorched was very good winning a heat in the opening round and had excuses last week, he was forced to stand for some time before getting a sulky shaft over his back which may have caused a few issues. He’s trained on really well this week and he’s proven at this distance range while many are unproven.
“I would love a stable full of Princess Jessica’s because she always puts in a top effort every time she starts, the win last week didn’t surprise me. Although unproven at the distance, I believe her biggest challenge will be traffic given her handicap.
“The effort of Joseph H in the opening round of heats was solid but he disappointed last week, I’m thinking he’s goes better when fresh or with his races spaced so he needs a little luck. It would be great to win this series again and I’m happy with my troops so fingers crossed.”
All three trotters are raced by Lee and his wife Joedy.
The Jim McNeil Memorial Trotting Championship Final is race 8 and scheduled to start at 8.37pm local time.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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