In-form: Broadway Playboy is shooting for his fourth successive victory at Menagle this weekend Photo by Dan Costello
Timing can be everything.
And the fact that leading Queensland trainer Darrel Graham is headed to Sydney this weekend is quite interesting.
It’s Chariots of Fire race night at TABCORP Park, Menangle on Saturday night and Graham slips into town with pint-sized pacer Broadway Playboy.
Understandably, Graham has fond recollections of the Chariots of Fire following his success with his best pacer Lanercost who blew away his rivals in a time of 1:52.5 back in 2011.
Graham has also been represented by Rollon Bigred and Sign To Inverell in past Chariots, the biggest four-year-old feature on the eastern seaboard.
With no runner in the main event this year, Graham is hoping his in-form pacer Broadway Playboy can earn his way into the $50,000 MO Final scheduled for February 25, Miracle Mile race night.
“This little horse deserves his chance; I’ve been wanting to get him down to Sydney for his MO for some time now and given his recent form surge, now was the time and this looks a good target for him. He’s been winning against the open class grade here in Brisbane and doing it well, now is the time.” Graham said.
Broadway Playboy starts in the Freedom Farms Lexus Championship Heat 1, the third race on the program and will start from gate five.
The former Victorian gelding has won his past three starts at Albion Park, the latest coming last weekend when handled by Adam Sanderson.
“He looks a good chance on paper, Adam is actually taking him down and he will be taking the drive again this weekend. He left today (Thursday) and will do the trip in a few stages given how hot the weather is right now.
“I think it’s great for Adam to get away with one horse and take in the experience, hopefully we will be able to send a few more south on our next trip.
“He’s been great for the stable since coming north from Victoria, he’s got good gate speed and he’s proven he is versatile with some of his recent victories. I think he’s earned more than $120,000 since being up here in Brisbane which is great for his connections.”
Many of his rivals this weekend are no strangers with many in the field having raced at Albion Park previously.
Broadway Playboy scored a decisive victory last week at Albion Park coming off the speed before downing Joys A Babe and Jackaroo Bromac in a time of 1:53.6.
The Jeremes Jet gelding has been placed 13 of his last 15 starts which includes 6 victories.
Graham will remain in Brisbane this weekend and drive at Albion Park where he is listed for 5 drives at the meeting.
And the countdown continues for Graham to register his 2000th career driving victory, he currently sits on 1996.
