"THE WEEK THAT WAS"...
"TROT TACTICS"...13/08/2011..
We must begin this week's column with a sincere apology to Mr Jim Madden and his family for the hurt caused by my reference to "the late Jim madden in an item referring to the sale of Paragon Park at Marburg.Mr Madden,who is hale and hearty at 87,and his family were understandably upset by this,and again,I apologise.
It must have been a bad day,as I also robbed Narissa McMullen of a win on Whata Shaw Thing at Gold Coast on the previous Wednesday night,when reporting the weeks results.Brother Pete's "quaddie' is now a treble..
The focus now shifts to Lockyer Waters,where final year mini trotter driver,Lauren Jones,is 40 points in front in the Queensland Junior Harness Racing Premiership.Lauren's stable star,Twebby Twotter is well in front in the "Pony Of The Year" standings and second string,Dani-Elles Dash is running a comfortable third.It is very likely that Lauren will do the Mini-trotter demonstration at Botra Festival Day at Gold Coast Parklands tomorrow week,August 21.Come and have a look as Lauren shows you how to gear up a "mini" and talks about her recent trip to New Zealand.
The Botra Festival of Harness Racing is going up in big company as it will be running in tandem with the Australian Breedrs Crown "Super Sunday" at Tabcorp Park Melton (Vic).On the racetrack we have a full Metropolitan meeting,with a $20,000 mare's race as the main feature.The meeting kicks off with the only non-TAB race of the day,the Western Edition "Dash For Cash".The harness equivalent of the "drags" is run 100 metres down the Parklands home straight from a standing start.There is $1,000 up for grabs,and the winner gets the lot.There is also $1,000 Botra bonus for paid up members on a race to be selected.
On the infield,the "Life After Racing" group will display their converts considerable talents in dressage,jumping and tent pegging.It's all happening from 1.00pm trackside with industry marquees for trade stalls and stud represetatives.Horse demos will include shoeing,gearing up the trotter and pacer and interviews with personalities.There will be an auction of a service to Western Edition and various competitions,including a "pick the last six winners" to be in the draw for $5,000,or to win a ride in the mobile barrier or the dual seater sulky.All the betting facilities and big screen NRL coverage,bar,snackbar and sausage sizzle..Just rock up on Sunday week.It will be a great day..
Resultsville..Redcliffe 05/08..Le Brique (Gary whitaker for Bill Crosby)..Etched In Black (Lola Weidemann for Ricky gordon)...Albion Park 06/08..Yul Brynner (Pete McMullen for Shane Sandeson)..Jasper Gold (Gary Whitaker for Shane Sanderson)...Marburg 06/08..Our Titus (Mathew Clayton for Darrel Graham)..Scenic Rim (Scott Neaves for Jenny Halliday)..Semi Precious (David Litzow for Steve Benham)..We Need A Hero (Pete McMullen for Ken Belford)...Albion Park 09/08..nil....Redcliffe 10/08..Princess Meg (Ron Sallis)...Gold coast 11/08..Jet High (Pete McMullen for Shane Sanderson)..Castletonian (Charlie Cini for Graham Harriott)..Wild Knight (Pete for John McMullen)..Vinnies Adventure (Cassie Saunders for Al Barnes)..Marlos (Al Barnes)...