05 October 2020 | Darren Clayton
Catch up on the week’s harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.
THE GOOD
Perseverance was rewarded at Redcliffe last Thursday when Fortyfive Rock was successful for trainer Norm Copeland.
It has been a while between drinks for Copeland, having gone on a winning drought through the past two seasons.
Fortyfive Rock had been building towards victory with some improved performances of late, with the first race of October signalling the breakthrough.
Starting his career with Mark Dux, the gelding is a well-bred son of Pet Rock from the mare Victree Bette.
There is plenty of QBRED success in the blood, with the likes of I Am Sam, Montana Marie and Just Turf some of the feature winners from the maternal family.
Trained on the track at Redcliffe, Angus Garrard took the reins for the victory aboard Fortyfive Rock, content to take the trail on the back of early leader Itmightbeyou.
Waiting until turning for home, the four-year-old had plenty left to offer and cruised home to claim a two-metre victory over the fast finishing Shez Got Bling.
Proving the value of the QBRED scheme, and that a win is worth waiting for, Fortyfive Rock claimed his maiden-breaking win at start number 43.
The win secured connections the $10,000 QBRED first win bonus on top of the first-place prizemoney.
The scheme has proven its value to a number of maiden-breaking winners at Redcliffe this season that have been able to break their ‘duck’ after a long stretch without a win.
Hurrikane Special broke her maiden at start 27 in a QBRED cash race and then secured her first win bonus at her next start.
On the same night, Itmightbeyou claimed her fist win and the first win bonus, taking 41 attempts to break the shackles of the maiden tag.
Naughtyinheaven opened her account after 45 attempts back in December in securing the bonus and Lanoch Boy achieved the same at his 21st start.
Arguably the best state-based futurity scheme in the country, the $7,500 second win bonus awaits each of these when the new season starts on January 1.
THE BAD
It was a strong win by Ashley Locaz (pictured above) in claiming the Remembering Chip Del Open Pace on Saturday night at Albion Park.
Unfortunately, it may also be the last we see of the star pacer in Queensland for some time.
Connections were eyeing off the likelihood of a Victoria Cup nomination en route to returning to New Zealand for their own Cup.
Should Ashley Locaz head to Melbourne, the five-year-old gelding will depart the Sunshine State with two wins and two minor placings in four starts.
Prepared by Vicki Rasmussen whilst in Queensland, the gelding resumed following a nine-month break when placing third to Northview Hustler.
Winning second-up in strong time over the 2,138-metre trip, it set up for a clash with Colt Thirty One at his next appearance.
Having faced each other three times in Auckland through the 2019 Inter Dominion Series, Ashley Locaz was left exposed outside the leader over the mile at their first clash at Albion Park.
Colt Thirty One had fresh legs at the finish to sweep home in claiming a 1.51.8 winning mile rate, however Locaz would have lost no admirers for his tough second.
Stepping up to the 2,138-metre distance on Saturday night, the results were reversed, this time Ashley Locaz and Shane Graham claiming victory over Colt Thirty One.
Having performed at the top level throughout his career that has included a second to Poster Boy in the Chariots Of Fire, Ashley Locaz has been a welcome addition to the Queensland ranks, albeit a brief stay.
Should connections opt to stay in Queensland a little longer, it could prove bad news for the fellow free-for-all performers.
If the Victoria Cup trip is secured, Vicki Rasmussen may have an able replacement in Turn It Up ready to step straight into fill the void.
THE MILESTONE
The battle for the title of most wins by a Queensland-bred trotter was to the fore across two states on Saturday night.
Eight-year-old Tough Monarch – a Group 1 winner trained by Rickie Alchin – stepped out at 8.47pm at Menangle, where the gelding was successful and broke his own Australasian record for 2,300 metres.
The 1.56.8 win from the mobile took his tally to 22 victories, moving equal with the Denis Smith-trained Northern Muscle who had led Tough Monarch by one win prior to Saturday’s engagements.
Just two hours later, Northern Muscle stepped out at Albion Park, second-up from a spell and facing a 20-metre handicap from the stand start.
Safely into stride, driver Paul Diebert moved Northern Muscle forward and securing the one by one trail, before being left exposed as Majestic Simon worked to the front.
Proving too strong, Diebert was able to urge Northern Muscle to a narrow victory.
The win moved the six-year-old back to a slender lead as the most wins by a QBRED square gaiter with 23 lifetime wins.
Tough Monarch and Northern Muscle have met once previously, and that meeting came at Albion Park back in July 2019 where they finished sixth and seventh respectively.
The winner of that race? The trotter with the most ever victories at Albion Park – Our Overanova.
THE WILDCARD
Trial watchers will have their eyes firmly set to Albion Park on Tuesday afternoon as star pacer Hectorjayjay returns from his latest setback.
Originally sent to Queensland for a retirement paddock in the sun, Hectorjayjay soon found his way back into work with Jack Butler.
Everything going along nicely with his rehabilitation and preparatory work, the gelding was ready to return to the races and did so with a first-up third at Albion Park.
It was a pleasing return for two-time Sunshine Sprint winner, with a full return well underway.
Second-up over the Albion Park mile, the fairy tale return was complete when Brendan Barnes reined the nine-year-old to victory by over 10 metres.
However, the story was not to continue through the winter, as another issue flared and Hector was forced back to the paddock.
Luckily for all involved, it was not the same issue that had forced his retirement originally and now after some solid work, another return is about to materialise.
Due to trial on Tuesday at approximately 1.57pm, fingers are crossed that the million-dollar earner can stay sound this preparation.
Jack Butler can only dare to dream where this campaign may lead.
THIS WEEK
It is a full week ahead for harness racing in Queensland, with a meeting to be held for the next seven consecutive days.
Kicking off the week is Monday’s Public Holiday meeting at Marburg, where four heats of the latest Marburg to Albion Series will be hosted.
Always popular with trainers, the Final of that series will be conducted on Saturday night at Albion Park.
With the Albion Park resurfacing works complete, a standard schedule of meetings appear on the calendar this week – Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at Headquarters, with Wednesday and Thursday from Redcliffe.
The week will be rounded out with Marburg hosting a Sunday meeting, where heats of the Marburg Young Drivers will be conducted.
Held across two meetings, further heats will be held on Sunday October 25.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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