by Chris Barsby
The days of Destreos racing at Albion Park are limited.
Very limited.
Destreos, aka King of the Creek, is the most winningest horse at the famed Breakfast Creek racetrack with 72 victories, is set to finish his wonderful career in Tasmania.
Prepared by Ken Rattray and raced by his partner Sally Stingel, Destreos is set to leave the Sunshine State for the Apple Isle on Monday week (July 24th) following the sale of their Jimboomba property.
Destreos starts at Albion Park tomorrow (Saturday) night, the final night of the 2017 Brisbane winter carnival before backing up again next Tuesday afternoon.
The 13-year-old marvel has 95 career wins and could easily improve on that in the coming days.
Cheer on Dex – an absolute star of Queensland harness racing!
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Catcha Lefty, a winner of the Queensland Derby last season, resumes tomorrow night (Saturday).
The four-year-old pacer starts in the Ranvet Pace and will run from the coveted inside gate where he will start a commanding favourite following an impressive trial earlier this week.
Prepared by Cristina Monte and Charlie Cini, the Village Jasper gelding scored in the 1660m trial rating 1:53.9 – sectionals of 28.4, 30, 27.9 and 27.7 seconds.
Catcha Lefty hasn’t raced since finishing at the rear of the field at TABCORP Park, Menangle on February 11.
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Giant pacer Major Cam is looking to bounce back tomorrow (Saturday) night at Albion Park.
The Art Major gelding missed a start in last week’s feature, the Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint owing to an elevated temperature.
Prepared by Kylie Rasmussen and Darren Weeks, Major Cam starts in the UBET – Multi Builder Pace over the 1660mand will be handled by Mat Neilson.
Major Cam has won 3 of his 4 starts this campaign while winning 12 from 22 overall.
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Following the retirement news of classy mare Purple Royale recently, Team Elkins suffered another blow.
Handy performers Flaming Hero and Royal Jacquard were involved in a track work incident and have sent for an immediate break.
Flaming Hero has created a good impression since arriving in Queensland by winning 4 of his 8 starts at Albion Park, the Courage Under Fire gelding finished 6th behind Spare Me Days at his most recent start in the Listed $25,000 Mr Feelgood Open on July 1.
Royal Jacquard has also won 4 races at Albion Park.
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Talented trotter Twice As Much is almost ready to start his Brisbane campaign.
Now under the care of Vicki Rasmussen and Shane Graham, the Sam Bourbon five-year-old gelding scored in an Albion Park trial on Tuesday.
Twice As Much was previously prepared by his co-owner, leading Victorian based mentor Anton Golino who shares ownership with leading French horseman Jean-Pierre Dubois.
Leading driver Anthony Butt will be hoping to add another feature race tomorrow (Saturday) night at Albion Park before serving a suspension incurred from Melton’s feature meeting last weekend.
Butt heads to Brisbane to partner in-form pacer My Field Marshal in the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship for trainer and Brother Tim.
The brothers combined to win the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final at Albion Park with Take A Moment back in 2001.
The suspension starts after the weekend.
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Great to see so many of the best drivers in the country competing at Albion Park tomorrow (Saturday) night.
Interstate drivers in action include Mark Purdon, Chris Alford, Luke McCarthy, Kerryn Manning, James Rattray, Anthony Butt and Greg Sugars among many others.
Leading Perth based drivers Michael Grantham and Stuart McDonald are also competing at the card.
Gary Hall Jnr. is also making the trip east – the Hall stable won the 2014 Blacks A Fake with champion pacer Im Themightyquinn.
And the Purdon clan will also be in attendance.
Making the trip with Mark is his sons Nathan and Michael while legendary horseman Roy will also be trackside to cheer on his pacer The More The Better, the clear favourite in the Queensland Derby.
Nathan Purdon won the Blacks A Fake last year with Ohoka Punter.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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