Austrotforum

"TROT TACTICS"...14/03/2009..

The curtain rises at Gold Coast tonight as ID-09 hits the stage with four preliminary Heats.Trust me,there are no "weak" Heats here.The "Ipswich Hope",Riverboat Star,trained by John McMullen at Wanora,goes round in the opener at 8.00pm with Pete McMullen in the sulky,incompany with fellow Queenslanders,Tip Your Hat and Fleur De Lil.Big names opposing this trio include Changeover and Mister Swinger.Heat two boasts locals,I Am Sam,Slipnslide,Destreos and Franco Liberty,with Mr Feelgood the biggest obstacle to a hometown victory.Heat three brings up some heavy artillery Our Brahman Boy,Washakie (on loan from WA) and the most awesome "eyeballer" in modern harness history,(you guessed it)Blacks A Fake.Bet against him if you are game enough.Heat four provides a similar situation,where Lively Highlander,Albert Street and Perfect Pegasus are pitted against the kiwi superstar,Auckland Reactor.Add all the above to a support card of six excellent support races,and it's as good as it gets..

There is justifiable uproar at Rocklea as Harness Racing Queensland moves to close the Club on June 30 and transfer its meetings to either Redcliffe or Albion park,with a Monday afternoon timeslot at the latter venue being the favoured option.The Club requested HRQ that any decision affecting Rocklea's future should be deferred until after the State Election on March 21st as it appeared to contravene the "caretaker government" convention and,further to this, the LNP had promised to introduce a new board covering all three codes,should it be elected.HRQ rejected this proposition..As a Result,Rocklea has written to Mr Andrew Fraser as Minister for Racing to ensure that the decision is deferred.All Rocklea Members are invited to a meeting to be held today at 10am in the track restaurant,to discuss the decision,and offer direction.High profile trainers,Bill Dixon,Tony Turpin and John McMullen expressed horror when told of the HRQ move..

The star is still rising at the Gatton stable of Shane Sanderson with the quinella of Maywyn Zac and Maywyn Jasper in the Paleface Adios Classic for 2yo pacers at Albion Park last Saturday..Sanderson has an ever-growing mixed team with a rock solid base of above average juveniles.He's on the highway to long term success..

Forever under the radar at Rosewood,John Ballin was repaid for his endless patience at Gold Coast,when converted pacer,Love Shack,broke through for a win in the trot race.Inch by inch,Ballin has developed the 11yo mare's gait from hit and miss to reliable.The win was skinny,but deeply satisfying.It wont be her last either..Denis..