by Chris Barsby
It’s a waiting game for iron horse Destreos.
The 13-year-old gelding scored another all the way victory on Tuesday at Albion Park to register his 95th triumph while it was his 72nd at the famed Breakfast Creek raceway.
The Astreos gelding has now won 3 of his past 5 starts which could have connections thinking about several of the open class winter carnival features in the coming weeks but a contract on the Jimboomba property of Sally Stingel and Ken Rattray could see their star pacer in Tasmania.
Both originally from Tasmania, the couple is keen to return to their home state and a contract is now under consideration.
If negotiations move quickly, Destreos could soon be racing in the Apple Isle but if not, he could tackle some of the open class features at Albion Park.
Time will tell.
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Connections of talented filly Shartin will make a call across the weekend regarding a possible trip north.
The Tasmanian Oaks winner starts on Saturday night at TABCORP Park, Melton in the Slices Family Restaurant Final where she starts from gate eleven.
The Tintin In America filly resumed with a dominant victory in her heat at Warragul ten days ago and looms as a leading chance this weekend.
Given the news of Spanish Armada now missing the Queensland Oaks, connections have plenty to consider.
Trainer Dean Braun is no stranger to success with the Queensland Oaks.
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Proven Gr.1 winner Smooth Showgirl is ready to kick start her latest campaign.
Trainer Ian Gurney has given the Art Major mare two recent public trials, the latest on Tuesday at Albion Park where she finished a pleasing third behind Frankie Rocks and Hughie Green in a time of 1:56.0 for the 1660m workout.
An obvious target for Smooth Showgirl during the winter carnival is the $20,500 Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes on July 8.
Smooth Showgirl hasn’t started since February 18 at TABCORP Park, Menangle when finishing at the rear of the field in the Gr.2 $51,500 Robin Dundee Stakes won by A Piccadilly Princess in 1:51.5.
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Speedy pacer Frankie Rocks indicated he’s back to best form with a stylish front-running display in a trial at Albion Park on Tuesday in 1:56.0 for trainer/driver Grant Dixon.
The Rock N Roll Heaven gelding paced the mile in splits of 29.1, 30.7, 28.3 and 28.1 seconds.
A winner of 12 races from 37 starts, the Gr.3 $30,500 4yo Championship on July 1 at Albion Park looms as a likely target.
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Auckland based three-year-old pacers Star Galleria and Big Mach were tempted by the Queensland Derby before connections of both talents pulled the pin this week.
Star Galleria, prepared by Steve Reid, the Art Major gelding bounced back to his best form with an all the way victory last Friday night at Alexandra Park, Auckland rating 1:57.3 for the 2200m event.
Connections will now start again in Auckland next week before sending the talented type to the paddock for a break.
Big Mach, prepared in partnership by Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson, was unplaced behind Star Galleria last week following two impressive victories at Alexandra Park.
The Mach Three gelding has raced consistently this season.
Connections have fielded several offers throughout the season and his immediate future may come via Sydney.
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Open class pacer Teo Enteo is the latest pacer bound for North America.
The Armbro Operative gelding finished towards the rear of the field behind Hughie Green at his most recent start in the Flashing Red at Albion Park on May 13 after suffering from a bleeding attack.
Teo Enteo had stints with Wayne Potter, Darren Hancock and more recently with Trevor Lambourn.
A winner of 25 races with 37 minor placings from 114 starts while banking more than $335,000.
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Former New Zealand pacer Anychance will make his long awaited Queensland debut tomorrow (Friday) at Albion Park.
Previously prepared by the All Stars operation of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, the Mach Three gelding will step out for Kylie Rasmussen and Darren Weeks.
The veteran of 5 starts, the dual winner has impressed in his recent public trials.
Anychance starts in the opening race, the 1st heat of the Seymour Pot Of Gold series where he has drawn gate five over 1660m.
Raced by Cheryl Rasmussen in partnership Trevor Titcomb, Anychance is well worth following during the coming weeks.
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Classy pacer Major Coup also returns tomorrow (Friday) at Albion Park.
The proven feature race winner starts in the UBET Pace over 2138m and will start from gate seven.
Major Coup has not raced since scoring in a personal best time of 1:52.8 at Albion Park back on January 14 but has looked sharp in recent trials.
The big gelding takes on another rising star in Major Cam who has drawn gate three.
Major Coup is trained by Wayne Graham and raced by his breeder Terry Flynn.
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Amajorjo could be a winter carnival ‘smokey’.
The lightly raced but richly talented pacer has joined the stables of Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen recently and is ready to race following some quiet trials.
His latest public workout came on Tuesday at Albion Park when he finished 7th behind the likes of Frankie Rocks, Hughie Green and Smooth Showgirl among others in a time of 1:56.0 with McMullen kind to him over the concluding stages.
The Art Major entire last raced at Globe Derby back in April last year.
Now raced by Rob Brumm, Amajorjo has won 16 races from 52 starts while banking more the $116,000 in stakes.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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