April  AT: Albion Park | Gold Coast | Redcliffe | Rocklea | Toowoomba | Mackay | Rockhampton | Townsville
 

Albion Park Harness Racing Club,
Home page:
 www.harness.org.au/albionpk
 3 Amy St ALBION Q 4010
PO Box 296 ALBION Q 4010
Ph (07) 3262 2577 
Fax (07) 3862 2173  
albionparkhrc@optusnet.com.au

Chairman Bob Lette
\
General Manager
Robert Pearson

SEE
Albion Park's Premiership winners

Headquarters Highlights - October at Albion Park
ALBION PARK  welcomes leading race-caller David Fowler and prominent sponsor David Knudsen to our committee table. Both men have great experience in the harness racing industry. David has been the voice of Albion Park and Dave, also a leading Brisbane businessman, is a former steward with the Queensland Harness Racing Board.
Albion Park thanks Austin McGuckin, who leaves the committee after many years of dedicated service and input. The Club wishes Austin and his wife Val all the best in their retirement.

SEVERAL Brisbane pacers have stepped up to the plate as genuine Grand Circuit performers. Cobbity Classic's second placing in the Winter Cup was full of merit. The John McCarthy trained pacer demonstrated he has come back from a spell in fine form with an impressive win, leading most of the way, at Albion Park in early October.
But Cobbity Classic is only the tip of the iceberg as far as top-level Brisbanites are concerned. Yahoo Buckaroo also looked sharp in his back-to-back wins at Queensland's pacing headquarters for the Graham stable.

FORMER Tasmanian, Flashing Red promises to be a star that shines brightly for trainer Alistair Barnes if his recent times are anything to go on.  He has exhibited sizzling displays in fast times.
The Victorian-bred pacer made winning look easy in 1:55.6 in October, and he seems destined for bigger and better things.

DON'T forget the evergreen, rising 10-year-old Trois Frere, Cobbity Classic's stablemate, who has shown this year that he has still got what it takes and that he knows how to use it.

WHEN he came to Australia a decade or so ago, Richard Hooper brought with him a number of horses. When he returned to his native New Zealand several years later, he did so with a wife. The Hooper’s, now proud parents of a three-year-old boy, are now back in the Sunshine State, and winning races a plenty.
Mrs Hooper, formerly Lisa Neville, was at the helm when Gleann Cholm, who they bought from a claimer, saluted at Albion Park in early October.
"He's a Falcon Seelster, which we liked," she said after the win. “Richard knew that he was a top-class two-year-old in New Zealand.

BARRY Hoare, protégé of the late Pat Collier, is doing terrific things with Left By Colada, a recent metropolitan winner. Cross-bat reinsman Brett Towns has been a constant in this success story as the driver of this horse.
Forrest Karamea, last season's Albion Park Horse of the Year, was recently featured in a special segment on SKY Channel's In The Gig program. The rising 10-year-old is a credit to his trainer, John Livingstone, with Scott Kunde the regular reinsman.

MATT Clayton, landed his first city winner in early October. The 22-year-old was one of two graduates of the Marburg Pacing Association to win in the same program. The other was Steven Doherty with Luxor Las Vegas. Clayton drove Speed Magic for Steve Jones, and Darrel Graham for former Queensland Harness Racing Board Chairman, John Crowley, prepares Luxor Las Vegas.

KEN Belford, who would be the first to admit he is rapidly-approaching the veteran category, continues to drive in good form, with School Boy as one of his recent city winners. New Zealand-bred horse is the sort of campaigner who suits the wily Belford, he's fast away and takes up a handy position.

CLUB committeeman, Chris 'CJ' Garrard, is the driving force behind this track's charity meeting next year. Albion Park will join forces with the Queensland Breast Cancer Association for the 21 February fixture. 

NO surprise to see redhead, Timmy Gillespie, winning at Albion Park recently, especially with Freckles, who came off a back mark not long after taking $100,000 in stakes.

CLUB committeeman, Tony Price and his family wish to thank the many well wishers for their support after Tony's recent stint in hospital.

Gold Coast Harness Racing Club,
Home Page:
www.harness.org.au/goldcst
 Smith Street SOUTHPORT QLD 4215
PO Box 337 SOUTHPORT QLD 4215
Ph (07) 5532 1222 
Fax (07) 5532 6777  
goldcoasthrc@optusnet.com.au

Secretary Suzanne Hardingham
 

Chairman Len Hunter

CHECK OUT
The Gold Coast's Award winners

Parklands Points - October at the Gold Coast

CHRISTMAS is almost upon us and Gold Coast is expecting a busy time, with social clubs and businesses organising parties at the Harness Racing Complex.  The Parklands Christmas Cup will be held on Friday night, 19 December.
 For January, the Club, in conjunction with the Gold Coast Greyhound Racing club will host a Dual Race Meeting on Wednesday night 7 January.  This feature event has proved to be a real winner with the Gold Coast public and is always an exciting and eventful night.
 Racing will put to one side in January with the Club unable to race on Thursday 15 or Friday 16 January, due to the staging of the Big Day Out Concert.
 The Committee, Management and Staff of the Gold Coast Harness Racing Club would like to extend to all owners, trainers, drivers, employees and followers of Harness Racing our best wishes for a Happy Christmas season and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
 
 OCTOBER at Parklands was again a very busy time for the Club with the official launch of Friday night racing and the Spring Carnival launch on 3 October.  Indy and the Rugby World Cup were also celebrated with local rugby clubs organising a dash for cash in the centre of the track.
 The mini trotters also featured on the night, thanks to the efforts of Bev McKiernan and her team.  Also congratulations to Vic Frost and Gail Geeson who trained the winners of four of the nine races.
 
 GOLD Coast again turned on a brilliant night of racing on 17 October with a thrilling win by trainer-driver Steve Turnbull on Smooth Satin in the $50,000 Gold Coast Cup.
 The Grand Circuit champions faced their seventh clash for the year however this was the first time NSW's best three pacers had raced in Queensland after intense rivalry in feature races in the southern states.
 Going into the race, it was thought the most experienced runner, 91-time starter Double Identity, had the edge.
 Double Identity and Smooth Satin duelled up the straight with Smooth Satin forced to race without cover for the last 1500m.
 However Double Identity fought back only to be beaten by Smooth Satin by a short half head.
 "Two tremendous horses" said Turnbull after Smooth Satin broke through for his first Queensland win.
 Smooth Satin has not raced in Queensland since 2000 however it looks like the seven-year-old may be back to his previous good form.
 

Redcliffe Harness Racing Club,
Home Page:
www.harness.org.au/redclf
 Gomersall Street REDCLIFFE QLD 4020
PO Box 7 REDCLIFFE Q 4020
Ph (07) 3284 4550 
Fax (07) 3283 2380  
redcliffehrc@optusnet.com.au

Chairman Brad Steele

TAKE A LOOK AT
Redcliffe's Premiership winners

Bayside Banter - October at Redcliffe
 
 

Star Wars Battle at Redcliffe
THE Redcliffe community showed its support of the Redcliffe Paceway on Friday night when the annual Star Wars Final saw a packed Pacer’s Restaurant and a fantastic trackside crowd.
With nine races on the program, entertainment for the family and rides for the children a good time was assured.
Trackside entertainment was continuous with Darth Vader and his fellow Star Wars characters, Fiesta Tropicale, magician Franky Houdini and themed rides, the Laser Zap Challenge and UFO ride, for the children.
Fashions on the Track saw the ladies vying for the title of best dressed while the gentlemen were a little more reluctant to ‘Strut their stuff’! Judy Eagles and Don and Lois Gemmel had great difficulty in picking the winning ladies with the prizes eventually going to Cathy, Anastasia and Veronica – all three ladies get to increase their wardrobe thanks to Selina’s Boutique.
It was even harder to pick the gentlemen and in the end Redcliffe Camping and Outdoor gave each of the contestants a prize.

THE Adventure Blue sky dive was spectacular with the five sky divers dropping into the Paceway to the sounds of the Star Wars Theme and surrounded on landing by Darth Vader, the Evil Emperor, Storm-trooper, Royal Guard, Jango Fett, Boba Fett and Queen Amidala holding flares to direct them in. 

THE Star Wars Series is in its second year and attracted local and interstate pacers with ‘Slip’n’slide’, driven and trained by Luke McCarthy, stepping out to win comfortably. Grant Dixon drove Dancing Navajo to win the Derby. On track there were three feature races, the Redcliffe Leagues Top Alley Final, The Galvin’s Landscaping Redcliffe Derby and the 2YO Star Wars Series Final sponsored by Otto Tuza VIP Horse Floats. Paceway President Brad Steele thanked Otto and Rhonda Tuza for their support as they presented the specially designed trophy to the winner. In between the main racing Terry Rollason driving Devils’ Amigo took out the Personal Vintage Trophy in the Queensland Mini Trotters race.
Mr Steele thanked all the sponsors for their support on the night and asked that they continue to support the Paceway in the Wednesday night time slot.

FAREWELL TO FRIDAY
FRIDAY 29 August was a sad occasion for Redcliffe Paceway patrons as they attended the weekly racing for the last time on a Friday evening. The evening was a successful fundraiser for the Kippa Ring Pre-School and Kindergarten and attracted new sponsors to the venue.

WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY
THE slow start to Wednesday night racing was not unexpected, but the Redcliffe Paceway Management and Staff are working hard to make it a success.

A NEW concept has been introduced to attract new sponsors and visitors to the track. First Night Fun Monthly Sponsorship Nights started on 1 October as a Holiday Fun Night with Samantha Dalgleish providing pony rides and an animal farm for visiting children. Stilt walker, Bumblodork, was a bit tall for the restaurant area but those who were trackside were well entertained.

Christmas Cup
THIS year’s Christmas Cup will be on 17 December 2003 with the traditional sky drop from Santa Claus (he likes to give his reindeers a rest!), presents for the kids, entertainment and of course a great night of harness racing.

Metropolitan Harness Racing Club, 
Home Page:
www.harness.org.au/rocklea
Rocklea Showgrounds ROCKLEA QLD 4108
PO Box 36 ARCHERFIELD Q 4108
Ph (07) 3277 1995 
Fax (07) 3277 1956  
metropolitanhrc@
optusnet.com.au

President - Lee Smith

TAKE A LOOK AT
Rocklea's Award Winners

Darling Downs Harness Racing Club, 
Home Page:
www.harness.org.au/darling
Clifford Park Toowoomba Q 4350
PO Box 6081 TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350
Ph (07) 4634 4944 
Fax (07) 4634 7753  
darlingdownshrc@
optusnet.com.au

President Nola Wagland

Mackay Harness Racing Club, 
Home Page:
www.harness.org.au/mackay
Ooralea Raceway MACKAY Q 4740
PO Box 628 MACKAY 
Q 4740
Ph (07) 4952 1633 
Fax (07) 4952 3996  
mackayhrc@
optusnet.com.au

Secretary Helen Schaper

Rockhampton Harness Racing Club, 
Home Page:
www.harness.org.au/rockham
Callaghan Park ROCKHAMPTON Q 4702
PO Box 5341 ROCKHAMPTON 
Q 4702
Ph (07) 4927 1633 
Fax (07) 4927 1812  
rockhamptonhrc@
optusnet.com.au

Rocky Rap - October at Rockhampton

HAT trick for Jones - Off The Clock was a 12-1 chance and after being given a beautiful run by Peter Jones, she was able to sprint home over the top of Whatta Fake to score a good win.  His second winner came in the form of Finally, who has always possessed a stack of ability but is not always on his best behaviour.  Well this day, he was certainly on his game when he he throughout to defeat stable mate Saint Louie who motored home late.
The Peter Jones trained, General Royce brought up the hat-trick earlier in the month when using his brilliant speed to lead throughout.  Although he is now finding it a little tricky in the higher grades, we're sure he'll be back in the winners circle soon.  His stable mate, Classic Drive has been racing consistently since coming into the stable but until recently, had not broken through.  This all changed at the 15 October meeting when she ran away to score an easy win over well-backed favourite, The Swashbuckler."
ROCKY success for Clifton trainer Julie Weidemann.  Weidemann has always had strong success when venturing to Rockhampton, and over the last month, this trend has continued.  She trained seven winners out of 11 races which is a remarkable effort.
Myrtleford Bow and Silent Kiwi both picked up a couple of wins and the latter missed out by a head of not only bringing up his third win for the month, but also to give Julie a clean sweep at Rocky's October 5 meeting.  Sister, Lola Kunde must also be mentioned as she has been in fine form in the sulky, and at one stage had a streak of six straight wins going.
A NEW committee has been voted upon by the Club to take Rockhampton into 2004 and hopefully with strong success.  Mel Slade, Joe Clifton, Toni Sawyer and Dare Paine make up the committee, which looks to have a great mix of experience and youth. Best of luck to the committee and we're sure they will ensure a successful future for the Club.
MANZELMANN - When you see Brian Manzelmann Jnr's name in the racebook at Rockhampton, you have to seriously respect his horses as he rarely heads back to Mackay without picking up a win.
The 28 September meeting saw Brian not only train a double, but also quinella those two races."
TUMBLE - Paul Zimmerlie had a tumble on the same day when driving All That in the first race.  However, there mustn't have been any problem with the leading reinsman as he came out in the next to score on Leagoferown.  A last start winner in Mackay by 9.4 metres, Leagoferown once again opened up in the straight to win by 13.5 metres.
 

North Queensland Harness Racing Club, 
Home Page:
www.harness.org.au/townsvl
Townsville Showgrounds TOWNSVILLE Q 4814
PO Box 7369 GARBUTT 
Q 4814
Ph (07) 4772 3866 
Fax (07) 4772 3877  
northqldhrc@
optusnet.com.au

Secretary 
Margaret Reynolds

President Nathan Goodwin

Club's website

http://www.geocities.com/nqhrc/

North Queensland Notes -  October at Townsville

A GREAT night was had by all at the North Queensland Racing Club Awards Night.  The country themed night had a whip cracking competition, a cooee calling contest, country music and piglet races with the night finished off with karaoke.

AWARDS were presented to the many deserving participants.  Congratulations to horses and owners -
Award recipients included:

KIM Carter, Most improved Junior Driver; Danielle Gross, Junior driver of the Year; Amity Farmer, Rookie of the Year; Aaron Stewart, Sportsmanship Award; Mitchell Farmer, Encouragement Award; Ian Hanson, Leadership Award; Tim Baumann, David Fowler Award for Junior Driver of the Year; Darryl Gross, Trainers Premiership Award & Drivers Premiership Award; Keith Wanless, Best Performance Strike Rate Award; Natalie Gross, Owner of the Year Award; Kansas Belle, Mare of the Year Award; Raymond Lacey, Rookie of the Year Award; Mick Piper, Race Callers Award; Ocker, Media Personality Award; Rhonda Goodwin & Dave Clive Volunteer of the Year Awards; Wayne Stewart, David Fowler, Errol Lacey, Doug & Norma Lee, Bev Church, Doris Stewart, Lorraine Greer and Natalie Gross - Appreciation Awards; Kerry Smith, Stewards Award for Best Race Day Presentation; Gold Chip, Horse of the Year.

THE Club presented a Slim Dusty tribute night and talent quest between races on 25 October.  The night coincided with the monthly night markets both people and animals enjoyed the festivities.