by Chris Barsby
Time has been called on bonny racemare Purple Royale.
The reigning Albion Park Mare of the Year has been retired and will now enter the next phase of her career, returning to her original home in South Australia in preparation for the upcoming breeding season.
Under the guidance of Greg Elkins, the Royal Mattjesty mare proved to be a ‘rocket’ at Albion Park winning 9 races.
In total, from 40 starts in the Sunshine State, Purple Royale won 10 races with her other success coming via Marburg.
Last season, Purple Royale finished second in the Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes behind the now North American based mare Barynya in a time of 1:53.9.
Just recently, the mare took a career best time of 1:53.1 when successful at Albion Park.
Matt Elkins won 7 races with the mare while Greg took 3 winning drives.
Purple Royale is raced by her breeders, Peter and Lesley Medhurst.
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The report from the Gatton University is positive regarding millionaire pacer Bling It On.
Following his race fall at Albion Park on June 17 which resulted in nasty injuries to both of his knees, the American Ideal entire is recovering well.
Bling It On will be based there for at least another week or two.
The possibility of standing stud this upcoming season is now being considered.
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Speaking of the Gatton University, another patient this week is giant pacer Hughie Green.
The former New Zealand pacer cracked his offside front pedal bone last Thursday and underwent an operation yesterday (Wednesday) to rectify the issue.
And indications are very positive on a complete recovery.
Hughie Green is raced by John Green and his family while prepared by John Cremin.
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Star pacer Catcha Lefty is expected to be back in action next weekend.
Prepared by husband and wife team of Cristina Monte and Charlie Cini, the Queensland Derby winner will either trial tomorrow (Friday) or next Tuesday at Albion Park before lining up next Saturday night, the final night of the 2017 Brisbane winter carnival.
The Village Jasper gelding last raced at TABCORP Park, Menangle on February 11.
Catcha Lefty has won 15 of his 32 starts to date while banking just under $200,000 in stakes.
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Can lightning strike twice?
Connections of exciting four-year-old Mattgregor are certainly hoping so after purchasing talented but unraced two-year-old gelding Morroch Bay from the Christchurch stables of Mark Jones.
Mattgregor was purchased from Jones as an unraced three-year-old.
Morroch Bay is a son of Sir Lincoln and finished second in a Rangiora workout yesterday (Wednesday) behind Cullenburn.
Mattgregor starts in Saturday night’s Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint against the likes of Lennytheshark, Hectorjayjay and My Field Marshal among others.
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Tough old performer Stormfortheboys returns to racing at Albion Park this Saturday night.
After a successful stint in Victoria with leading trainer Dean Braun, owner Vicki Rasmussen has decided to bring her gelding home for another stint of racing in the Sunshine State.
During his 13 start Victorian campaign, Stormfortheboys won 2 races including the Gr.3 $30,000 Echuca Cup while being placed on a further 4 occasions.
The Famous Forever eight-year-old starts in the Garrards Horse & Hound Pace over 2138m where he drawn the ace.
Stormfortheboys is the winner 10 races at Albion Park.
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The race is on to secure a start in next week’s Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad Finals for two-year-old pacers.
And a number of youngsters sit right on the cusp as they strive to make the top ten for the respective divisions.
Australasian Breeders Crown heats are scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) night’s meeting at Albion Park while a high quality event takes place on Saturday night.
The Grant Dixon prepared Colt Thirty One stamped himself as the horse to beat in the colts and geldings division while the Sydney trained Arts Treasure looms as a serious threat in the fillies division for trainer/driver James Rattray.
Fields for both features will be released next Tuesday.
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There will be plenty of interest in a number of interstate events this weekend building into the final night of the carnival next week.
In Sydney at TABCORP Park, Menangle, open class stars Tiger Tara and Ultimate Art clash in the Gr.3 $30,000 Christmas in July at Club Menangle Pace over the flying mile.
Both pacers are expected to start next week in the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake.
Also at Menangle, the CLUBMENANGLE.COM.AU Pace features several talented three-year-olds, many of which are on trial for next week’s Queensland Derby.
Connections of Bettor Vision, Redbank Blaze, Joes Star Of Mia and Gotta Go Ya Hu have all flagged interest in the blue riband classic.
In Melbourne at Melton, all eyes will be on Soho Tribeca in the Vicbred Super Series Final for Four-year-old entires and geldings.
Owner Robert Watson and trainer/driver Kim Prentice are strongly considering a start in next week’s Blacks A Fake, the final leg of the 2016/17 Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit series.
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Outstanding Victorian pacer Major Crocker has arrived in Brisbane in preparation for next week’s Blacks A Fake.
Trainer Vince Vallelonga bypassed this week’s Sunshine Sprint preferring to concentrate solely on next week’s 2680m feature.
Major Crocker finished 7th behind My Field Marshal in the Gr.1 $100,000 Len Smith Mile last start.
The Art Major gelding finished 4th behind Ohoka Punter in last year’s Blacks A Fake.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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