Pub Blitz driven and trained by James Wanless to contest The APHRC Seymour Charity Cup Photo by Corey Pearce
SIX out of the ten events this Saturday night at Albion Park are feature races on the Queensland Harness Racing Calendar. The meeting will kick off at 5.12pm and is headed by the Group 1 and Group 2 Finals of the Nursery Pace Series.
The opening race on a gala night of racing is the Garrards Equine Vetrinary Practice Pace for the M1 performers which heralds a clash between the inside drawn Deadly Smile (Die Laughing) for trainer Shane Sanderson and Ok Tobago (Saab) for Brian Manzelmann who is heading for five straight victories.
The Group racing for the night will kick off as race three- The APHRC Seymour Charity Cup, a Group 3 event of which heats were staged last Saturday night. Matai Zinga (Washington VC) and Karter Brown (PB Bullville)were the two heat winners, both for the Bill Dixon Stable. Matai Zinga has drawn perfectly in the one alley while Karter Brown has drawn poorly on the second row in eleven. Pub Blitz (Cammibest) who has placed second at his latest two starts behind Matai Zinga and Karter Brown respectively has drawn in close in gate two.
The first of the Garrard's Nursery Pace Finals will be race four at 6.35pm (G2 3yo Colts and Geldings) and is perhaps the deepest of the four finals in terms of quality and strength. Some of the main chances appear to be the inside drawn Caesar's Folly (Christian Cullen) for Shannon Price, Sign To Inverell (Life Sign) for Darrel Graham, Sevenfortyseven (P Forty Seven) for Vic Frost and Western Destroyer (Western Terror) for Ian Wilson of New South Wales.
The Flashing Red Discretionary Handicap will be race five a 7.07pm. This race is named in honour of one of the toughest pacers in modern day history- Flashing Red, who was trained in Queensland by Stuart Hunter. Flashing Red, who favoured the conditions of his tribute race- the testing 2647m standing start, won such races as the New Zealand Cup when campaigning several seasons ago. Standout nominations include regular Saturday night free-for-all performers such as the consistent Fox Valley Appeal (Sportsmaster) for trainer Denis Smith who is aiming for consecutive win number three.
Race six at 7.40pm, is the second of the Nursery Finals- The 2yo Colts and Geldings (G1). Soho Valencia (Art Major) for trainer Jane Davies and driver Chris Alford heads the finalists, either victorious or placing at all nine starts- he is drawn well in gate three. Another heat winner, Uncle Lile (Dawn Ofa New Day USA) for Chris Frisby, has drawn poorly inside the second row.
The seventh event at 8.10pm is the first final for the Fillies- the Group One Two year old Fillies final. The unbeaten Rosa Mach (Mach Three) was an impressive heat winner, however drawn on the second row she appears to have a strong hold whilst The Archduchess (Christian Cullen) for local trainer Graham Seymour is considered one of the leading chances as well.
Courageous Annie for Fernvale based Darrel Graham has drawn wide (barrier six) in the final of the Group Two Three Year Old Fillies. Since starting her winning campaign at Bulli six starts ago the Courage Under Fire Filly has not been beaten including a 1.52.6 mile rate at Menangle. Two starters for the Bill Dixon stable, Lateforlunch (PB Bullville) and Speriamo (As Promised) are considered place hopes along with the inside drawn Kiana Frances (Live or Die) for Darren Garrard.
The night will see additional coverage from Sky Racing and off track action with Vince Aspinall as the Bookie comes back to Albion Park, plus live entertainment and a new sommelier created wine list, courtesy of Bar Barossa in the City to tempt connoisseurs taste buds.
Race ten, the Termidor Pace for 2 year olds that has ended up a quasi consolation (as all runners contested the 2yo Garrards Nursery Pace heats), will wrap up racing at 9.37pm.