Plans were thrown into utter chaos on Tuesday afternoon.
Hardly ideal when approaching a Gr.1 $100,000 feature which is scheduled for later in the week, but somethings can’t be avoided.
This is the situation that the Dux family is now facing on Saturday night when talented type Covert Beauty starts in the QBRED Triad 3yo Fillies Final at Albion Park.
Because late on Tuesday afternoon, Mark Dux was involved in a nasty fall which left him unconscious after copping the backwash of an incident which he simply couldn’t avoid.
Wrong place, wrong time.
After being kept in the Royal Brisbane hospital overnight, the news got worse when he learned that his filly has drawn the second-line in Saturday’s feature and a new driver is obviously required.
“It wasn’t the best of days on Tuesday; I have no recollection of the fall itself which is probably a good thing because it wasn’t a pleasant experience. We’ve engaged Mathew Neilson to handle the filly, we thought about giving my daughter (Madi) the opportunity because she does a lot of work with this filly but thought it was a bit much given what’s unfolded this week.” Dux said.
Despite a tricky second-line draw, the Art Official filly still rates among the leading chances because of her trademark finishing burst which she has displayed on numerous occasions this term.
Covert Beauty scored a stylish victory last week at Albion Park when charging down the outside, her preparation has been timed to perfection and Dux is confident her biggest payday is very close.
“As we know, the draws are everything in racing nowadays and while it’s disappointing we have to overcome a second-line draw, I know she is clearly one of the best fillies in this field. Her record is very good but with a little more luck in some of these other features she has contested; it could easily be a lot better.
“I’m very happy with where she is at going into this final, her win last week was very good and she’s trained on well since. I think we’ll know our fate early, if we get a quick lead time we know we’re in with a shot but if we don’t get it, it’s mathematically impossible.
“The Dixon fillies (Get In The Groove & Cherish The Moment) loom as the toughest to beat with their front-line draws plus their form is very solid. It should be a good race and hopefully we get a genuine tempo which will give everyone a chance.”
Dux will be sitting on the sidelines for the next fortnight owing to his concussion but he’ll be trackside on Saturday night cheering loudly for his filly.
Covert Beauty is raced by her breeder, Stephen Dux, older brother of Mark.
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