Top Victorian trainer Brent Lilley has scrapped his Brisbane summer carnival plans.
The New Zealand born horseman has been eyeing off the Queensland riches for some time with a number of his quality performers including open class star Messini.
The Art Major entire was beaten behind former Perth pacer John Of Arc in Saturday night’s $20,000 Sokyola Sprint at TABCORP Park, Melton after leading in a time of 1:53.4.
Options for Messini during the Brisbane campaign included this week’s Gr.3 $30,540 AQWA Constructions Be Good Johnny Sprint followed by the $20,540 Christmas Cup before ending with the Gr.2 $60,540 Egmont Park Stud Queensland Cup.
All three events will be staged at Albion Park over consecutive weeks.
“Things just haven’t worked out for us to make the trip north; there are a number of things that have prevented us from making the trip. It’s disappointing because we’ve been looking at this trip away for a little while now.” Lilley said.
The other attraction that made strong appeal for Lilley and his expected northern sojourn was the Gr.2 $40, 630 Egmont Park Stud Darrell Alexander Memorial Trotting Championship, the biggest trotting event staged in the Sunshine State.
The series starts this Friday while the final is scheduled for December 16.
The stand start feature is assessed for T5 trotters or better.
Lilley is revered for his deeds with trotters and his stable currently boasts the likes of champion performer Keystone Del, Maori Time and many others.
The Racing Queensland summer carnival is officially underway and concludes on December 16.
