Bree Evans and Hayden Barnes in the spotlight. ( The following from the keyboard of Jordan Gerrans)
Bree Evans might just have the perfect role model and teacher as an aspiring driver in the harness racing industry. Evans has recently taken her first steps towards becoming a professional driver, in the sulky for two trials, as she builds towards taking her first engagements on race day later this year. For the last year, Evans has worked with the strong Turpin and McMullen team at their Patrick Estate stable, being mentored by recent record breaking driver Pete McMullen.
Evans is two trials down in her path towards becoming a full fledged driver, needing to complete 25 trials all up: 20 from the mobile and five from a standing start. She will aim to work slowly through them this year, not wanting to rush the process. First starting out the industry as a 15-year-old, Evans has spent time working for the Grant Dixon and Graham Dwyer stables in recent years before ending up with the McMullen and Turpin team. I have not come from a racing family so I have not been brought up in the racing industry,” Evans said. I just slowly started learning but since I have been out at Pete and Chantal’s, I have become more confident. They have chucked me on babies and trotters, I have had more of a go there.”(close italics)
(The McMullen's Family)
As promised last week, a bit more on the cessation of commercial breeding at Kevin and Kay Seymour’s “Egmont Park” on the Darling Downs. While there is not enough space in this column to chronicle 1% of the Seymour’s breeding and racing achievements in Queensland in the last 30 years it is of great interest to note one major benefit that “Solid Earth”’s operation has bestowed on the harness breeding spectrum in the Southern Hemisphere. When the eventual dispersal sale comes up, check the bottom line of the page of each lot, for the words “Family of.. RED DIAMOND N3”. RED DIAMOND was the taproot mare of the family that produced TACTILE (5 Derbies) TACTICIAN (Inter-dominion Grand Final) TACTUS (sire of TACTAIR -once rated the best horse in Queensland). Once the Globe Derby line was obliterated to create a market for low grade USA imports, the RED DIAMOND family rapidly fell into decay, and was sitting at N13 when the Seymours entered the scene. In what has been pretty much a solo effort, Solid Earth has bred enough Feature Race and $100,000 winners from the line, to raise RED DIAMOND ten rungs on a very significant breeding yardstick. An incredible performance!!. Egmont Park’s main focus will now be the production of WAGYU beef. Like all Seymour ventures, it will be in the top end of the market.
As we move into the third decade of the 21st Century, we are seeing an evolutionary process taking shape in Queensland Harness. With the certain closure of Albion Park in the not too distant future, to make way for 2032 Olympic games projects, there is evidence of a policy shift in he halls of power. Redcliffe Harness Racing Club, once very firmly placed on the second shelf from the top, is now moving strongly ahead in the distribution of “big money” (by Queensland standards) Feature races. It is the normal process of succession. When the “King” (Albion Park) closes its gates, Redcliffe will occupy the throne. No one can say that the Peninsula Club has not earned this right. It has given sterling service to the light harness sport. It does, however, cause anxiety in the minds of the 110 plus trainers, large and small who reside in the Marburg footprint. What is their real future? It is time for Racing Queensland to cough, loudly and clearly, ensuring a positive future for those participants who have invested their “all” on the perfectly reasonable assumption, that they were here for “the long haul” – but not the long haul to Redcliffe. RQ must not forget that all those participants are providing the racing product that fuels wagering, which in turn, provides prizemoney. That old “wheel” again. One damaged spoke and the wheel soon collapses.
The Redcliffe Cup will enjoy a stakes’ raise to $100,000 in 2022.
Having traditionally been run at Group 2 level, the TAB Queensland Constellations feature will double in prize money in 2022, providing a scintillating start to the Winter Carnival.
“It’s exciting to see the Redcliffe Cup double its stakes,” RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“This will make it one of the richest Group 1 stand start event for pacers in Australasia behind the New Zealand Cup, so we expect it will add an extra dimension to the Constellations.”
To complement the prize money increase – and to provide horses with opportunities and experience from behind the tapes - a stand start season will be introduced, commencing in late April and culminating with the Group 1 feature at the end of June.
In addition to the Redcliffe Cup, the stand start season will also include the $30,000 Group 3 Flashing Red, as well as a $20,000 Saturday night feature. RHRC President Bernie Ring said the Cup meeting would become a true highlight of the Constellations. “With the Group 1 2YO Yearling Sale Final already on the card, along with the Redcliffe Derby and Oaks, we’re thrilled to see the Redcliffe Cup run as a Group 1 in 2022,” Mr Ring said.(
Only five meetings in this week’s spectrum, with Nathan Dawson leading the drivers charge. First home on nine occasions, Matt Elkins next closest , registering five wins. The training honours were very wide spread Chantal Turpin leading in two winners, while Trent Dawson managed both training and driving tasks for another pair. Most pleasing was Tee Raveling scoring at Redcliffe , prepared by Ben Crosby, with Nathan Dawson in the bike. Ipswich Factor 27/47..
Resultsville Albion Park 14/01.. Jaggers Swagger (Adam Sanderson for Ian Gurney).. Im Loki (Matt Elkins for Narissa McMullen).. Strong Response (Nathan Dawson for Ben Battle).. All Star Sea (Ben Battle).. Redcliffe 15/01.. The Ideal Dancer (Nathan Dawson for Steve Cini).. Katacha Man (Nathan Dawson for Donny Smith).. Bella Ball Terror (Trent Dawson).. Raani (Nathan Dawson for Ron Sallis).. Hemsworth (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Call Me Trish (Hayden Barnes for Michael Nutley).. Tulhurst Ace (Nathan Dawson for Donny Smith).. Doug (Pete McMullen for Graham Dwyer).. Albion Park 18/01.. Magical Maya (Trent Dawson).. Woodlands Wonder (Steven Doherty for Mal Charlton)..Rebline (Nathan Dawson for Chris Monte).. Three In Heaven (Justin Elkins for Charlie Cini)..Redcliffe 19/01.. Voodoo Fella (Matt Elkins for Dan Russell).. Regal Nightshade (Nathan Dawson for Mark Dux).. Abercrombie Tab (Matt Elkins for Dan Russell)..Private Jujon (Nathan Dawson for Ross Jackson).. Datsinahurri (Nathan Dawson for DonnySmith).. Tee Raveling (Nathan Dawson for Ben Crosby).. Redcliffe 20/01.. My Ultimate Clippa (Matthew Neilson for Ricky Gordon).. Rocknroll Da Gama (Hayden Barnes for Lola Weidemann).. Faireachdainn (Trent Moffat for Mitchell Dawson).. Mach Torque (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).. Docta Feelgood (Matt Elkins for Vic Frost)..
Commentaires