by Chris Barsby
The All Stars stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen have arrived in Brisbane.
Originally, three pacers were set for the three-year-old features but an injury to star filly Spanish Armada reduced the team back to two.
More The Better and Partyon will fly the flag for the leading New Zealand stable next month at Albion Park.
The pair of highly regarded pacers is based with Darren Weeks and Kylie Rasmussen at their Stanmore property, north of Brisbane.
More The Better will tackle the Derby classics while Partyon will start in the Oaks features.
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Former Grand Circuit winner Our Hi Jinx is close to a return.
A winner of the 2015 Queensland Pacing Championship, the Christian Cullen gelding is now prepared by Ian Gurney and has shaped nicely in a number of recent public trials.
In his latest effort yesterday (Tuesday), Our Hi Jinx finished stoutly to run down stablemate Smooth Showgirl and Amajorjo in a time of 1:53.4 for the 1660m.
Our Hi Jinx hasn’t raced since failing at Melton back in October last year when prepared by David Aiken.
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Impressive New Zealand three-year-old Mongolian Storm won’t make the trip to Brisbane for the Queensland Derby next month.
Trainer Paul Court has been deliberating for some time about an assault on the Queensland winter carnival and despite a hugely impressive winning performance last Friday night at Addington, the Courage Under Fire colt will remain on Kiwi soil.
Mongolian Storm scored easily by over two lengths while rating 1:54.7 for the 1950m event.
A winner of 5 races from 26 starts, the colt is raced by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry syndicate.
Court was the co-trainer of three times New Zealand Cup winner Terror To Love.
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Recent Redcliffe Derby winner Paternity Suit is now being set for the Gr.3 $30,630 Premiers Cup at Albion Park on July 1, the opening night of the Albion Park winter carnival.
The Rock N Roll Heaven gelding qualified safely from the standing start yesterday (Tuesday) at Albion Park.
Prepared by husband and wife team of Grant and Trista Dixon, Paternity Suit starts on Friday at Albion Park in the final of the $10,500 Seymour Pot of Gold Final.
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Bathurst trainer Steve Turnbull is considering a tilt at the Queensland Derby on July 15 with his talented pacer Joes Star Of Mia.
The Roll With Joe colt starts on Sunday at TABCORP Park, Menangle in the Gr.1 $153,000 NSW Breeders Challenge Final for three-year-old colts and geldings where he has drawn gate three.
Joes Star Of Mia is bred and raced by John Starr.
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Connections of former New Zealand filly Kotare Yarra are showing considerable interest in the Queensland Oaks.
The $75,000 feature is scheduled for July 8 at Albion Park.
Prepared by Phillip Walters, the Bettors Delight filly starts this Friday night at Ballarat where she has drawn gate five.
A runner-up at her past two starts, Kotare Yarra has won three races on Victorian soil following her purchase from the Christchurch stables of Robert Dunn.
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Gotta Go Ya Hu remains on track for the Queensland Derby.
The Big Jim gelding scored an effortless victory at Newcastle last Saturday night for the Shane and Lauren Tritton and driver Ben Woodsford.
Gotta Go Ya Hu scored easily in a time of 1:55.3 for the 1609m.
He has now two of his three starts since arriving from New Zealand.
The $75,000 Queensland Derby is scheduled for July 15.
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The regally bred Our Dainty Lady set a track record with her victory at Albion Park last Saturday night.
Starting from a back mark of 30m, the Pegasus Spur mare recorded a time of 2:00.5 for the 2647m discretionary handicap.
The previous mark was held by Releven Dream at 2:00.8.
Our Dainty Lady is a daughter of former champion trotting mare Pride Of Petite, a winner of 35 races and close to a million dollars in prizemoney.
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The Darrel Graham stable has been bolstered with the purchase of New Zealand three-year-old Franco Totem.
The Changeover gelding has been placed in both starts to date at the recent Nelson meetings.
He was previously prepared by Steve McRae.
Franco Totem has been purchased by Dean Shannon.
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Proven Gr.1 winner Rocker Band is headed to Brisbane.
The classy mare was desperately unlucky when third in last week’s Gr.3 $31,800 Frith Stakes behind Onlykidding and Killara Ninja at TABCORP Park, Menangle in a time of 1:51.7.
Trainer Mark Jones has several options for the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover – Mainland Banner marked out in the coming weeks.
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Former New Zealand pacer Ashton K looks set to make his local debut.
Following a number of trials, the Grinfromeartoear – Spicey gelding won his most recent effort at Albion Park yesterday (Tuesday) in a time of 1:56.6.
Ashton K has won 4 of his 6 starts to date but hasn’t raced since winning at Addington during Cup week of 2015.
Raced in partnership by Garth Ritchie and Stonewall Stud, the talented pacer is now prepared by Trevor Lambourn.
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