by Chris Barsby
The 2017 Queensland winter carnival officially commences this weekend.
And the bayside club of Redcliffe take centre stage with the running of the Gr.1 $100,000 Garrards Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series 2yo Final plus the $20,000 Redcliffe Derby.
It’s the first time this event has carried Gr.1 status.
“We’re all very proud of this race here at our club, we consider it to be the jewel in the crown because so much work has gone into this event, on and off the track. It’s very satisfying to see a $100,000 feature being run here for the first time and the final field looks very talented and should prove to be a great race.” Redcliffe Harness Racing Club President Bernie Ring said.
First staged back in 2009 and starting from humble beginnings, the Bill Dixon trained filly Abbey Tiara won the inaugural $30,000 final.
The following year, Bill Dixon returned and won it again with Speriamo, this time the final increased to $50,000.
Outstanding horsewoman Kylie Rasmussen won the next two $50,000 finals with Cha Ching Chaching and Couldntresist.
In 2013, the prizemoney again increased with the final now worth $60,000 and the Shawn Grimsey trained Designer Style proving triumphant while Kylie Rasmussen won it for the third time in 2014 with Mathilda Diventa.
The past two years, the final has been worth $80,000 and Grant Dixon prepared the 2015 winner in Leos Best while Kylie Rasmussen won it again last year with Heart Of Change.
Six fillies have proven successful in the final while only two geldings have taken glory.
Under the conditions of the event, the draw is conducted with fillies given preferential treatment.
Boasting four victories in the race already, Rasmussen is aiming for her fifth success after qualifying 6 of the 11 finalists which includes the emergency (Adrift).
Representing her stable this year is Dapper Bessie, Sammari, Big Beat, Gold Reactor and Moonlight Jack.
Local trainer Donny Smith is also duly represented with Datsgood and Ruhtrebo both qualifying.
Leading horseman Grant Dixon qualified Ark Teamo while Mat Neilson has Oh Stanley engaged and Lola Weidemann is represented by Ultimate Ad.
The three heat winners last week were Sammari, Datsgood and Ark Teamo.
The final is scheduled as race 4 on the program and will be staged over the 1780m distance.
Here’s a breakdown of the prices the finalists fetched twelve months earlier from the Redcliffe yearling sale;
Dapper Bessie – $9000
Ark Teamo – $7000
Sammari – $21,000
Datsgood – $5000
Big Beat – $2000
Oh Stanley – $5000
Adrift – $1000
Ultimate Ad – $3000
Ruhtrebo – $5000
Gold Reactor – $5000
Moonlight Jack – $15,000
Talk about value for money!
In the Comfort Inn and Suites Northgate Redcliffe Derby, last start Gr.2 $50,000 QBRED Triad winner Clintal Do looms as the horse to beat despite a second-line draw in the 2040m feature.
Last year, Leos Best proved to be a runaway winner from Catcha Lefty in a time of 1:58.0.
Gambling giant UBET have fixed odds markets available for both features.
The first of the 9 races is scheduled to start at 6.20pm.
Next week, the feature racing remains at Redcliffe with the running of the Gr.3 $30,000 Redcliffe Gold Cup and the $20,000 Oaks.
Between June 2 and July 21, 16 Black Type events are scheduled including the Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake on July 15 at Albion Park.
The Blacks A Fake now carries Grand Circuit status and is the final leg of the Australian Pacing Gold 2016/17 season.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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