The victory of Double Event at Albion Park on Tuesday allowed most to step back in time.
And for all the right reasons.
As it stands, Double Event carries a similar name to star pacer Double Identity which created headlines over a decade ago owing to some trademark performances at Grand Circuit level throughout Australasia.
A pacer that rose to stardom despite the fact he was a noted knee-knocker and raced with assistance of ‘spreaders’ during his decorated career.
Big race triumphs included the Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup, Treuer Memorial, Queensland Pacing Championship, Gold Coast Cup, South Australia Cup, Sunshine Sprint and the Winter Cup (now Blacks A Fake).
His list of big race victories all achieved under the guidance of veteran horseman Harry Martin, a gentleman that never worked big numbers from his stable.
And the ownership of Double Event is also the same as Double Identity with Peter Gadsby, the estate of Brian Lockwood and Martin.
The trio has wonderful memories of Brisbane with Double Identity competing and winning regularly in the sunshine state, the Embrace Me gelding won a total of 11 races between Albion Park and the now defunct Gold Coast track at Parklands.
The bulk of those victories were feature events.
Even the silks are the same, a yellow jacket with dark blue hooped sleeves.
Double Identity retired with 51 victories while banking more than $1.2 million in prizemoney.
Martin, 75, has returned to Queensland with a small team of pacers headed by Double Event.
The talented pacers has shaped well in three starts to date at Albion Park including Tuesday’s victory and starts again this Saturday where he has drawn poorly in gate seven, the outside of the front-line.
Again, in-form junior reinsperson Dannielle McMullen will take the drive behind the Blissfull Hall gelding.
McMullen, the younger sibling of established drivers Peter and Narissa combines work with pleasure, employed by the Albion Park Harness Racing Club while still able to compete on race day.
Recently, McMullen was given the opportunity to spend a week in Sydney and spent time at the SKY Channel studios and since returning, the winners have flowed.
Last Saturday night, McMullen steered Goulburn Guy to victory for trainer Vicki Rasmussen while landing a double on Tuesday with Back Page News and Double Event both scored before notching another winner at Redcliffe on Wednesday night with Andiamo El Ferrari, a pacer prepared by her father John.
The spate of good fortune for McMullen also fast tracked an important milestone.
McMullen has now driven over 100 career winners.
“It’s been a good week and I only got wind that I was close to my 100th winner because my Nan did a tally up the other day and told me I was very close. Now that I’ve got my first 100 winners, I’m keen for the next 100 now.” McMullen said.
Across the weekend, McMullen has a number of quality opportunities.
Tomorrow, McMullen has secured four drives while she will take seven drives on Saturday night.
The metropolitan bookings include Jackaroo Bromac, The Space Invader, Double Event, Blazing Terror, Polished Rocks, Mind The Wire and Witch Striker.
Hoofnote: Dannielle trained and drove Fiery Blue Chip to win at Redcliffe today (Thursday)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
