by Chris Barsby
Giant pacer Ultimate Art is back in Brisbane.
With the 2017 Queensland winter carnival wrapping up this weekend, Ultimate Art has arrived and will campaign in the Sunshine State in the coming months for trainers Shannon Price and Scott Miller.
Originally, the Modern Art gelding was being considered for the open class features in recent weeks but he didn’t find his best form and connections felt the trip wasn’t warranted.
Last year, when previously under the care of Price/Miller, Ultimate Art won 9 of his 14 starts which included 8 in a row at Albion Park.
The multiple feature race winner is raced by Mick and Kirsty Formosa.
**********************************************************************************
The bulk of the visiting stars of the winter carnival have returned to their respective homes.
But My Field Marshal has remained in the Sunshine State.
The last start Blacks A Fake runner-up behind Hectorjayjay will spend the next two weeks in the winter warmth of Brisbane having a well-earned break before heading south for his next campaign.
Trainer Tim Butt is eyeing the Victoria Cup and Inter Dominion series in Perth later this year.
***********************************************************************************
Millionaire pacer Bling It On will be available to breeders in the upcoming breeding season.
The American Ideal entire will stand at Cobbitty Equine Farm in New South Wales and will command a fee of $3000.
Bling It On has been sidelined following a crash at Albion Park in the Lucky Creed Pace on June 17 as a result of interference and immediately ended his winter carnival campaign.
The half-brother to Miracle Mile winner Baby Bling heads to stud with a record of 42 wins and 17 placings from 77 starts for earnings of $1,591,076.
************************************************************************************
A notable omission from Friday’s Listed $25,000 Chris Garrard Patrons Purse at Redcliffe is the richly talented Mattgregor.
Prepared by Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen, the Rob Roy Mattgregor gelding was sent straight to the spelling following his 5th placing behind Hectorjayjay in the Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park on July 8.
A winner of 10 races from 22 starts, connections are looking at heading interstate again next season.
Mattgregor is being aimed at the $75,000 4 & 5yo Championship at TABCORP Park, Melton on November 11.
McMullen has withdrawn his appeal against a three-week driving suspension he incurred from the Lucky Creed race fall at Albion Park on June 17.
*************************************************************************************
Connections of classy fillies Shartin and My Casino Belle are looking at options before seasons end.
Both fillies were gallant when filling the minor placing’s behind The More The Better in last week’s Queensland Derby.
Trainer Dean Braun is keen to start Shartin again given how well she has come through her Brisbane campaign while trainer Brad Hewitt is keen to push on with My Casino Belle in the coming weeks.
Shartin is not eligible for the Australasian Breeders Crown series while My Casino Belle was placed in last year’s 2yo Final behind Partyon and Petacular.
**************************************************************************************
Leading Queensland trainer Grant Dixon is heading to Melbourne next month with his exciting prospect Colt Thirty One for the Australasian Breeders Crown series.
Fresh from his demolition of his rivals in last week’s Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad Final at Albion Park in 1:53.9, connections are keen to test their rising star against the best.
Unbeaten in Queensland from six starts, his only defeats came earlier this season at Menangle during the Australian Pacing Gold series.
The Mach Three colt is drawing comparisons with former freakish juvenile Majestic Mach, also prepared by Dixon.
Making the trip with Colt Thirty One is feature race winning filly Red Charmer.
The winner of the Wayne Wilson Memorial Paleface Adios earlier this season, Red Charmer finished 7th behind Arts Treasure last week in the Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad Fillies Final.
****************************************************************************************
Inter Dominion winning horseman James Rattray has remained in Brisbane.
Last week, Rattray claimed the Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad 2yo Fillies Final with Arts Treasure and will focus on another feature before seasons end.
Up next for the Roll With Joe filly is the Gr.1 $100,000 Australian Pacing Gold Brisbane Graduates series starting on August 4, the final is scheduled for August 12.
Rattray will start last start Rising Stars Championship winner The Bettormack at Albion Park this weekend.
*****************************************************************************************
Last start feature race juvenile Lucky Unlucky arrives back in Brisbane today (Thursday) for a well-earned break.
Lucky Unlucky proved successful in last week’s Gr.2 $50,000 NSW Breeders Challenge Blue Final at TABCORP Park, Menangle in a time of 1:54.0.
Owned by Vicki Rasmussen, the Roll With Joe youngster has campaigned in Sydney in recent months for trainer Craig Cross.
Lucky Unlucky won twice from 11 starts during his rookie term while banking close to $50,000 in stakes.
******************************************************************************************
Leonard Cain makes his Saturday night debut this weekend.
The fresh-faced rising star has enjoyed considerable success during his first season of race driving which has netted him 49 winners to date.
A third generation horseman, Cain is a key member of the Vicki Rasmussen and Shane Graham stable.
******************************************************************************************
Redcliffe curator Greg Franklin will finish his role with the bayside club next week.
The talented horseman retires from his role with the club and will spend more time with his small team of pacers from Knight Street for the time being.
Franklin has enjoyed considerable success with the likes of African Violet and Motor Parade while his current performer is the classy Remember Them.
******************************************************************************************
Gold Coast trainer Graeme Gavin has sent around his final runners.
Last Friday night at Albion Park, Gavin prepared Mickey McRooney and Hotshot Anvil before sending them home with different trainers.
Formerly from New South Wales, Gavin has been based on the Gold Coast for a number of years and enjoyed good success with the likes of Cracka Stride, Real Magic, Jack Starzzz, Black Shiraz, Therufusonfire, Nash Street Matt, Scarecrow and Intense Gold among many others.
Gavin trained close to 300 winners.
Happy retirement Graeme.
*******************************************************************************************
And that’s a wrap for the 2017 Queensland winter carnival…..until next year.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
