by Chris Barsby
The Black and White army is hunting gold this weekend.
Grant Dixon, the country’s leading trainer with 183 winners to date, is represented by Colt Thirty One in the Gr.1 $322,000 Australian Pacing Gold Final for colts and geldings at TABCORP Park, Menangle on Saturday night.
Twenty-four hours earlier, the Dixon trained Fame Assured starts in the APG Fillies semi-final at TABCORP Park, Melton.
And with a large representation from his home base in Brisbane across the weekend, it’s all hands on deck.
But this is nothing unusual for the major stable.
“It’s going to be a hectic weekend, we’ve got plenty of runners starting locally while having two runners competing interstate makes it a little more busier than normal but hopefully we can have some luck.” Dixon said.
The leading horseman will remain in Brisbane and drive at Albion Park tomorrow (Friday) before flying south the following day to partner Colt Thirty One in the Sydney feature.
Colt Thirty One qualified for the final following his unlucky effort last week in the semi-final when 5th behind boom Victorian colt Lumineer in a scorching time of 1:52.5.
“I was really happy with his effort last week, he traveled down well and settled in well while he didn’t have much go right for him over the final stages. I went for an inside run and ended up locking wheels which certainly hampered him, the winner was in no danger but we should’ve run a place.
“It’s a really strong final and the semi-final winners look outstanding, we’ll need some luck but I think he can feature if the breaks go his way.”
Colt Thirty One has drawn gate four.
Miracle Mile winning reinsman Mat Rue will take the drive on Fame Assured in Melbourne.
Fame Assured, a winner of her only start in the Albion Park heat on April 18 will start from gate eight, the inside of the second-line and thus providing Rue with options.
The Mach Three filly rated 1:57.7 winning on debut.
“We’ve decided to give this trip a go and hopefully she can force her way into the final, I liked her win and she’s continued to improve since.
“The draw is fair and hopefully Mat can get some breaks going his way, the Victorian fillies look hard to beat.”
Both Colt Thirty One and Fame Assured are raced by their breeders, Kevin and Kay Seymour.
Dixon has 10 runners competing at Albion Park tomorrow while he has 11 runners on Saturday night.
Classy four-year-olds Frankie Rocks and Leos Best start in the $15,000 Rising Stars Championship Final following their heat victories earlier this week.
Dixon’s wife Trista will partner Leos Best while Mark Dux takes the drive behind Frankie Rocks.
Both pacers are being aimed at the upcoming Brisbane winter carnival features.
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