Austrotforum

THE WEEK THAT WAS...

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:26:14 +0000

"TROT TACTICS"..12/09/2009..

There's a new signpost at the highway end of Glamorganvale Road.It says New Jersey USA this way as Trent Dawson becomes the third harness horseman from the area in two months, to jet out to the land of "one horse,two wheeled miracles".Uncle John and cousin Peter McMullen,had a three week holiday stint recently,but Dawson is going on a six month work visa to the stables of leading ex-pat trainer,Noel Daley."T.D." expects to learn a great deal from hands-on experience of American methods in the large Daley operation,but,he will be closely involved with Luke McCarthy's team of pacers when Luke returns to Brisbane in the near future.Stars,Slip N Slide and Fleur De Lil will continue to campaign on the New Jersey circuits while Luke regroups for his next assault on the Yankee Dollar.Trent is a more than capable reinsman and is hoping to snag at least a few race drives.He is not looking for a miracle,but who knows.Being in the right sulky at the right time has propelled Andrew McCarthy to the point where he drove 51 winners in the last two weeks.No joke..First week 20,second week 31.It's life in the fast lane,and Trent Dawson is anxious to experience it.

You don't have to fall out of the cart to get a few bruises.Pallara based trainer Dave Russell stepped from behind his waste collection truck during last Monday night's storm and did considerable panel damage to a Brisbane Council bus.Dave is a bit sore and sorry,the bus is having surgery.Some are tougher than others..

Next Saturday's Marburg meeting will be the last until Boxing Day.The race-day stalls and other infastructure will appear during the recess,and it will be all systems GO from then on..

There is a bit of confidence in the Cold Mountain--Simon Burrows camp after Southpark Hanover trialled in a super slick 1-52 at Gold Coast on Thursday.The performance should set the entire up for a tilt at the "Flying Feat" time trial contest to be run soon at Parklands..Denis..

"THE PILGRIMAGE"..

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:00:32 +0000

"TROT TACTICS"..05/09/2009..

They went..They saw, and They had a hell of a good time.Such is the report on the Glamorganvale father and son team of John And Peter McMullen's journey to the Meadowlands Harness Racing complex in New Jersey USA.All up,the pilgrimage took 21 days to complete,and,according to a family source if it wasn't trot,it was pace,and vice versa.It was a rite of passage for young Pete,who celebrated his 18th birthday while away.
He witnessed the running of The Hambletonian Classic for 3 year-old trotters and was mightily impressed,and,most important,had three race drives at the famous track,resulting in a 3rd and two 5ths.Pete saw American trotting from the best perspective,in the sulky behind reasonably competitive horses.

Speed was the key,with the lad's placegetter going in 1-53.0 and another trip in a qualifying event ran 2nd and stopped the clock in 1-52.0.Commonplace at the Meadowlands where 2 year-olds ran 1-51.0,but a great asset to a young driver who has just posted 91 winners in his first full season here.You watch him move when the pace slows now.Meeting and competing against the driving superstars of American harness and attending race meetings with such high-profilers as Ron Pierce was the icing on the cake.Peter McMullen is the the third generation of his family to compete in America.Impressed as he might be with things U.S.,he is in no hurry to go back.He seems to think he is on a good thing here with his share of the drives from his father's large and busy team.Maybe another day..

TWO TYPES OF ROCKLEA PEOPLE

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:50:29 +0000

"TROT TACTICS"..11/07/2009..

This week,we look at two people who played different roles at Rocklea.One is still there every Saturday.Jack Waltisbuhl is no longer active as a trainer,due to breathing problems which see him tethered to an oxygen cylinder.But,if you can't train you can still own,and Jack was on hand to see his colors of blue with red sleeves carried to victory by the Ted Rolfe trained Bull Tossa.Lola Weidemann,who has travelled many miles round the tight 577 metre circuit had the drive.Jack will be there on the last day,to see it all end.He was high profile all his training and driving career,but never too proud to race at the Rock.

From its opening in the 50's to the mid 80's Rocklea was a successful club with perhaps the best Committee in Queensland.They were certainly visible on Raceday, mingling with the crowd all afternoon,making all welcome.In 1985,the South Australian veteran,John Houlson,started as Chief Executive.Houlson wasted no time in demonstrating his skills in organising,promotion and finding sponsors.I believe he may have been the first man in Queensland to sell signage on the white fence surrounding the track.In a matter of months,he had sponsors for every meeting,and a look at the annual report for 1990/91 showed that basic prizemoney was $2,200 per race.In the months when no feature race was programmed,the Rocklea Bonanza was run for $7,000.Feature races ranged from $3,750 through $40,000 for the Speed King Treasure Chest Final, with a mammoth $150,000 for the flagship event,The Rocklea Pot Of Gold Series ($50,000 Final).Life is a funny thing.Rocklea is going because it can't make money.John Houlson was removed because he made all other Clubs look very ordinary indeed. ..Denis..

FOOLPROOF CHESTNUT WITH A HEART AS BIG AS HIMSELF..

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:57:33 +0000

TROT TACTICS"..04/07/2009..

Any regular patron of Rocklea Trots in the last decade will have fond memories of Minden based Tim Gillespie out in front with a stocky pacer called Freckles.A son of Fake Left and Cindy Bye Bye,the chestnut was indeed an iron horse.Facing the starter a massive 223 times,he was in Victory Lane on 65 occasions,with a further 62 placings.Even with wins as far afield as Harold Park,it was at the Rock where Freckles reigned supreme.A win and a nose second in two Pot Of Gold Finals,a track record mile rate of 2-2.14 sitting outside prolific winner,Myrtleford Beau,and a mile against the clock in 2-00.1 were high points.His first success was in a 2yo handicap at the 577 metre circuit in February 1998 and his career ended there on September 2nd 2006.Fittingly,Freckles went out a winner at his final appearance.

Tim Gillespie maintained that the horse owed much of his success to the Rocklea style of racing."He was made there." he said.Freckles raced in an era when Rocklea was already in decline.Had he gone round in the golden age of John Houlson,he would have doubled his respectable earnings of $140,000.The Gillepies love their little champ.His paddock's outside the kitchen door and he's as fat as mud with a home for life.

Any form of horse racing has its sad side,none sadder than the death of moderate performer,Vitesse Operative,who suffered a massive haemorrhage in running at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.Horses can't talk,they can't tell you that it is more painful than usual lately when you ask for that last ounce of speed.Just spare a thought for a horse,who,when asked,gave more than he had to give,and paid a terrible price...Denis..

QUEENSLANDERS GOOD WIN IN USA...COURTESY OF COLD MOUNTAIN'S NICOLA CARKEET.

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:07:30 +0000

Thursday 2nd July, Aaron Lambert and Andrew McCarthy teamed up to win a leg of the Pennsylvania 2 year old Sires Stakes with the son of Four Starzz Shark, Shark’s Legacy. He paced the mile in 1:54.1 at The Meadows. Shark’s Legacy is closely related to Cold Mountain Stud’s new sire Camelot Hall (1:49.0)who was previously trained by Darren McCall making it a very Australian/ Queensland victory.

Regards,

Nicola Carkeet.

THE SOON TO BE HISTORY PLUS WHAT'S ROUND THE NEXT CORNER..

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:17:03 +0000

"TROT TACTICS"..13/06/2009..

Time marches on,and the clock is ticking down to the final meeting at Rocklea Showgrounds.July 25 is the day,and extra prizemoney will be on offer to ensure that the iconic venue goes out in style.Put it in your blackbook and keep Rocklea in your memories.For a lot of the trainers and drivers who were regulars at the Ipswich circuit 30 years ago,to venture to the Rock and win was high achievement indeed.There was a distinct step up in class.A horse that could consistently get 4th money at Rocklea in maiden class,would win four or five at Ipswich in a short time.More of the Rock in weeks to come.

An analytical study of the relationship of field size (number of starters) to turnover,recently conducted by Harness Racing Queensland,has thrown up a couple of interesting points.HRQ discovered that turnover increased by 9.3% when there were 9 starters as opposed to 8,and 15.9% when there 10 rather than 9.Happily,the price of the favourite follows the same trend,especially when there is a full field.The favourite's price increases by 5.4% in the 10 rather than 9 scenario.For a 3 months trial from July 1st,Albion Park race fields for 3yos and older at 2138 and 2680 metres will now have 11 starters in the 7 front and 4 trailers format.Events worth more than $50,000 at 2680m will have 12 runners.

A good move,as it is aimed at improving turnover and is a statisticians approach to a knotty problem.This initiative on its own will not plug the leak in the dyke,but it's a start.The lights are on in the halls of power,and the occupants are beginning to think.Denis.

THE STALLION STATION STRIKES AGAIN..THIS TIME IT'S A TROTTER..CHECK THE PEDIGREE AND PERFORMANCE ON THIS DIAGONAL SPEED MACHINE..

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:15:14 +0000

Champion trotter MAJESTIC SON joins Stallion Station roster

Majestic Son, one of the greatest trotters produced in North America and a former Canadian Horse of the Year, is slated to stand the coming season at Stallion Station’s Christchurch base, alongside champion sire Mach Three and US Breeders Crown winner Santanna Blue Chip.

Boasting a bankroll of $1,993,157, Majestic Son is by far the richest and one of the best credentialled trotters ever to be imported to the Southern Hemisphere.

In 38 career starts, Majestic Son compiled the outstanding record of 22 wins – including six at Group 1 level – five seconds and three thirds. He met and defeated his great archrival Glidemaster (Tr 1:51.2 and $1,968,023) on four occasions in the Champlain Stakes, Goodtimes, Canadian Trotting Classic and Breeders Crown.

As a two-year-old he won in 1:55.8, at Mohawk’s seven-eighths mile track, winning five races including the $252,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final.

However, at three he really stepped up. In 19 starts as a three-year-old he won 14 times and collected more than $1.3 million in stakes.

Majestic Son took his record of 1:52.4 at three years, winning the $900,000 Canadian Trotting Classic, in which he defeated US Horse of the Year Glidemaster and Global Glide. His other major successes at three were the $500,000 Breeders Crown, $154,470 Canadian Breeders Championship, $252,540 Goodtimes and three $115,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Finals.

At four in 2007, he won a further three races including the Frank Ryan Memorial Trot in a track and Canadian record time of 1:53 on a five-eighths mile track before injury curtailed his career.

Now in the top bracket as a sire, Angus Hall, the sire of Majestic Son, was one of the greatest sons of Garland Lobell Tr 1:55.6, and he retired from racing with a stake tally of $830,654 and a world two-year-old record. Angus Hall is now the sire of 30 in 1:55 and the winners of almost $40million.

Majestic Son is the richest and second fastest son of Angus Hall.

Celtic Contessa, the dam of Majestic Son, is a King Conch mare out of the exceptional race and broodmare Ramerizi Tr 1:56.8 ($433,344), who left the world champion and Nat Ray winner Misterizi Tr 1:51 ($410,893).

Majestic Son has served books in excess of 90 mares in his first two seasons at Tara Hills Stud, Ontario, with a stud fee of $Can10,000.

ARE WE AT THE DAWN OF A NEW AGE..LET'S HOPE SO..

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:37:07 +0000

TROT TACTICS"...06/06/2009..

After the longest night in the history of the light harness sport in Australia,(just 30 years or so),the sun may be showing on the horizon.In race caller and Albion Park Vice chairman,David Fowler's column in Harness Racing Queensland magazine,David reported on a national marketing meeting held recently in Sydney.It seems that the administrators have finally realised that the switch to the descriptive term,"harness racing" in place of "trotting" or "the trots" in the early 80's achieved only one thing.Two words,innocent in themselves,managed to consign a well known and loved code of horse racing to the shadows,while senior administrators chanted the same two words like some universal mantra.The Gods and the Punters turned their backs.

D.Fowler further reports that it is now realised that the product we place before punters is in many ways far too complicated for the very demographic we must pitch to,Joe and Jo-Anne Average..Simpler,easily understood form guides may be forthcoming.That coupled with the severe curtailing of whip use may put us in the market place with a serious chance of growing a fan base and some real TAB turnover.Maybe,just maybe,this new awakening may be strong enough to head off the latest minefield for punters and participants alike.It's called the National Handicapping Reforms.The net result of this document is 19 rules which further compound the problems for the punter which are inherent in the mobile conditioned racing format. ..Denis..

THE WORD ON SATURDAY 23/05/..

Wed, 27 May 2009 11:49:05 +0000

"TROT TACTICS"..23/05/2009..

The clock is ticking down to the inaugural running of the Redcliffe Yearling Sales Race.Heats for the now 2yo's will be conducted on Wednesday June 3rd,with the $30,000 Final decided on Friday June 12.Described as "the sale with something for everybody" the Juvenile Feature will send some owners home in a very happy frame of mind.Next year's winner has already gone under the auctioneers hammer and will be collecting the big end of $50,000.This sale is only going one way...and that's up!

A bit more news on the Crackerofaparty and Ann Manwaring roadshow.The son of Partywith thebigdog and Megsamillion has come a long way in two weeks.From the winner's cut of $3,400 at Gold Coast to a start in the colts and geldings division of the $100,000 Kevin Seymour Nursery Stakes tonight.The Karrabin trained pacer earned his place in the Group 1 event with a solid third to For A Reason (Luke McCarthy),and Major Victree (Natalie Rasmussen) and is further favoured with the magical 8 barrier behind a possible leader in Jorg Is Best (Ricky Thurlow).

Another local in the Kevin Seymour is the Darrel Graham trained and reined Lanercost.The unbeaten son of Courage Under Fire won his heat last Tuesday following impressive trackwork in the days preceding.DWG will give the colt a good trip from his second line alley,and Lanercost will be in this up to his ears...DENIS..

RED ALERT...THE BREEDING SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER...AND THE STALLION STATION IS IN THE LEAD..

Wed, 20 May 2009 12:58:07 +0000

Santanna Blue Chip to stand at Stallion Station in NZ

Stallion Station, one of Australasia’s leading standardbred studs, and Kentuckiana Farms, the North American breeding conglomerate, have jointly announced that the 2007 US Breeders Crown champion and Governor’s Cup winner Santanna Blue Chip 2, 1:51.4 will stand the 2009 season at Stallion Station’s New Zealand base at Christchurch.

With a lifetime bankroll of $1,608,733 including $931,223 as a juvenile, Santanna Blue Chip retired as the richest son of siring sensation Art Major, both in two-year-old and career earnings.

During his two-year-old campaign, Santanna Blue Chip finished in the money in all 11 of his starts (11-5-4-2) on his way to becoming the richest freshman pacer with two-year-old earnings of $931,223, some $150,000 ahead of the great Somebeachsomewhere.

Santanna Blue Chip’s brilliant freshman season was highlighted by wins in the $760,968 Governor’s Cup and $650,000 Breeders Crown, defeating Lonestar Legend, Sand Shooter and the ill-fated Robert’s Rage along the way. He was also stakes placed in the Metro, Champlain, and Nassagaweya, finishing either second or third in all three to Somebeachsomewhere.

As a three-year-old Santanna Blue Chip earned $681,637 in his 14 starts, finishing in the money in all but four starts – bringing his career totals to 25-7-8-6 and $1,608,732. During this season, Santanna Blue Chip’s credits included winning the Simcoe and Art Rooney elimination and stakes placed finishes to Somebeachsomewhere in the Burlington, North America Cup elimination, Confederation Cup and Messenger. He also stakes placed in the Rooney Final and Little Brown Jug.

Santanna Blue Chip possesses outstanding conformation and a can’t miss early speed pedigree, being the richest son of Art Major and from the two-year-old Debutante and New Jersey Sire Stakes winner Mmissus Hanover 2, 1:53.8 (by Matt’s Scooter).

Santanna Blue Chip was a striking $75,000 yearling and his full brother Jody J Blue Chip sold at the 2008 Lexington Selected Sale Company annual yearling sale for $100,000.

A 2005 foal, Santanna Blue Chip is standing his first season at Kentuckiana Farms, Ontario.

Stallion Station has just completed their best season ever and their flagship stallion Mach Three, the sire of the world record holder Somebeachsomewhere and ‘Down Under’ champion Auckland Reactor, is already fully booked for the 2009 season.

Similarly, studmate Courage Under Fire, winner of a record six Derby classics and one of Australia’s hottest young sires, has attracted a full book again in NZ and is close to being full in Australia.

For further information contact Les Joslin at Stallion Station on (03) 9746 1322.

SATURDAY STORY..

Sat, 16 May 2009 02:10:08 +0000

'TROT TACTICS"..16/05/2009..

In the reverse of the normal process,Karrabin based trainer-driver Ann Manwaring and partner Lee Woldt went from the outhouse to the penthouse in the 2yo Stakes at Gold Coast on Friday night May 8th.Beaten a fair way after being checked under the same conditions a week previous,Crackerofaparty,a gelded son of Partywiththebigdog and Manwaring's former mare,Megsamillion,ran the 1609 metres out in 1-59.3 to score a skinny,but impressive victory over another Ipswich pacer,Jack In Flight,prepared by Brett Cargill at Fernvale.Crackerofaparty is Megsamillion's second foal,and the multiple winning chestnut is currently in foal to Enrique,a talented son of Presidential Ball,standing for Colin Knox at Braycrest Lodge,Thagoona.Who knows,with a win on the board,"Cracker' could be the next Abermain for team Manwaring..

Over the last two decades,successive control bodies have slowly compressed the sport of harness racing/trotting into the South East corner of our very large state.Originally the sport flourished from Southport to Cairns,and now the most northerly point with regular racing is Redcliffe and the western extremity is the soon to close Rocklea.Enter Leigh Wanless,the most flamboyant of the three brothers who followed their father Merv into the game.Currently Leigh is based in the Wide Bay area and is a strong force in a move to restore regular racing to the 900 metre circuit at Maryborough.Never one to do things by halves,Wanless has established Glenorchy Springs Stud and will be standing prolific sire Peace of Art,and the multiple New Zealand classic producer,Caprock.A hardline approach to the economic realities of racing the average light harness horse in Queensland sees both horses in the breeding marketplace at $1000 +GST with live foal guarantee..Serious value..Denis.

"TROT TACTICS"

Fri, 08 May 2009 12:24:51 +0000

"TROT TACTICS"...09/05/2009...

The old saying,"not just a pretty face" was borne out at Gold Coast on Thursday,when Cold Mountain Stud's gelding,Honkytonk Hanover,was successful in race 9.The son of Western Hanover had starred at Marburg Show last Saturday,taking,among other ribbons,"Supreme Standardbred Exhibit".It was a family affair,with Jodie Whitaker,wife of Thursday's winning reinsman,Gary,having the lead at Marburg.Meanwhile,head trainer for "team Palmer",Simon Burrows,is headed to Melbourne with four pacers,including the flagship,Lonestar Legend.You can check progress by watching the Young (Southwest NSW) harness action tonight where Fancy Cardshark and Topshelf Hanover will be going round in the $36,000 Cup..

The concept of severe reduction in whip use is about to become a reality.The new format,which recognises the need to retain the whip as a tool of communication includes holding the whip and a rein in one hand.It will be a breach of the rules to hold the reins in one hand for any purpose other than releasing ear plugs or hopple shortener pins.The whip itself,seems likely to be a longer,more flexible version,to be applied only with a gentle flicking action.There is a bonus for the punters here as well as our four-legged friends.It will be a step closer to the level playing field,as an ability as a flogger will no longer be relevant in the driver selection process..September 1st seems the favoured date for introduction of the new deal.

Tonight's four feature races contain such a depth of talent,that a hatpin and a blindfold would be a reasonable tool with which to find a winner.For the statistics hounds, I reduced the performances to an average of earnings per start across the entire field in each race.4yo colts and geldings..$1577....4yo mares..$1218...3yo colts and geldings..$1496...3yo Fillies $890...2yo colts and geldings..$5223.These are the geese that lay the golden eggs...Denis..

THE ROCKLEA ---MARBURG QUESTION...IS IT A "DUCK"..NOT MUCH OF A RIPPLE ON THE WATER...WEBBED FEET GOING LIKE HELL UNDER THE SURFACE...

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:56:35 +0000

TROT TACTICS" 11/04/2009..

Harness racing is notorious for short priced favourites,but,coming up to Easter,some local trainers were raiding the Bunnie's basket for long shots.Dallas Wilkins pulled off a $24.80 result with Highlander Carl for trainer Ray Cross at Albion Park last Saturday night.At the big 12 race fixture at Gold Coast on Thursday,Laurie Flood gave the reins on Unwanted Cargo to Gary Lefoe in race 5,and $10.10 was the win dividend.Later in the meeting,Scott Neaves trained and drove Torque Royale to a narrow victory for the Corrazol family.A few win tickets at $28.40 buys a lot of chocolate.

Talks continue about the proposed shift of 26 meetings from Rocklea to Marburg.Nothing is definite yet,but one favoured scenario is 52 Monday afternoon TAB meetings at Albion Park,plus the 26 non-TAB at Marburg.This is a net gain of racing opportunity across the board.Discussions go ahead with the likelihood of an early decision,based on an end of June exit from Rocklea with no stoppage of racing and no loss of participants from the sport.Keep your fingers crossed.Actually,a bit of crowd support wouldn't go astray.Let us,and Queensland Harness Racing,know what hobby trainers and fans feel.The hobbyists may think of themselves as unimportant,but ALL participants,including the fans,are vital to the success of this game.You may have a struggling C1 pacer just now,but,the next one you get may turn out to be a Blacks A Fake.John McCarthy,in his own words,was "a struggling butcher with a little shop at Eglinton outside of Bathurst NSW,and a couple of ordinary pacers".His luck changed with a mare called Magic Bubble,and,with it,the entire family's life.A happy Easter to you all,and,don't forget..It CAN happen to you...."austrot"

THE RUN-DOWN ON REDCLFFE YEARLING SALES..APRIL 05..2009..

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:39:07 +0000

2009 Redcliffe Yearling Sale Records Great Result!
Redcliffe Harness Racing Club President Kerry Ebert and Auctioneer Darren Ebert were thrilled with the sale success, with a large vocal crowd in attendance at last Sunday’s 2009 Redcliffe Yearling Sale, where we saw keenly contested bidding of highly fancied lots.
Vendors and buyers alike were cautious early, but well-bred and well-presented lots were soon seen going to leading stables to be prepared for the 2010 $50,000 2YO Redcliffe Yearling Sale Classic at the Redcliffe Paceway.
The strong theme of the sale is the race series concept, which buyers were there to be part of and so in turn, looked to their clients or family budgets and bought accordingly to their price.
No matter small or large, all bids were taken and buyers went home with a yearling for value, as most yearling buyers indicated after the sale conclusion.
Congratulations must go out to Burns Bloodstock of Egmont Park in presenting a professional display of Egmont Park prepared yearlings, along with Richard Hutchinson and family of Logan who had their draft in perfect order and ready to meet the market.
The sale had several top lots going under the hammer, with P B Bullville and As Promised fillies and colts still very popular, with the interstate-bred or sired yearlings also attracting the eye of bidders looking for a change.
Kerry and Darren Ebert wish to thank the ever hard-working Redcliffe volunteers, bid spotters and sales office girls and in particularly the commentary of Marshall Dobson on families and racing history.
Don’t forget the 2009 2YO Redcliffe Yearling Sale Classic Series is only a short time away, and so we would like to know how your race series eligible 2yos are going.
Please send your email to Rebecca: ebertancoauctioneer@bigpond.com
Call or see Redcliffe President Kerry Ebert for further information....Trevor Perrin..

THE GREATER IPSWICH VIEW OF ID-09..

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:00:52 +0000

"TROT TACTICS"...28/03/2009..

***ID-09***.The big one is upon us..Arguably the most controversial Inter-Dominion Series in harness history starting with its new and unusual format through to its high wastage of top class horses in the run up to final acceptances,ID-09 has still turned up 13 incredible pacers to do battle for the big end of $1,000,000 at Parklands tonight.Between them,the twelve runners and the reserve,Our Awesome Armbro,have amassed $12,048,126 from 323 wins.There's a nice little formula which tends to separate the fabulous from the very good in the trotting game,and it is simply to divide lifetime earnings by lifetime starts.The end figure is what the horse earned every time he or she stepped on the float,bound for the races.This Grand Final was touted as a match race between Auckland Reactor and Blacks A Fake from the time that AR's connections paid the late entry fee.Apply the formula,and AR comes up with $48,643 per start,and "Blackie" just $246 better at $48,889.When you consider that one of the "giant killers" of the series,Karloo Mick comes up at $7,289,it looks like the barrier draw holds the key...Go "Blackie"..

Trotting folk will always rally to a good cause,and there is no better cause than a fund raiser for "Scrubber" Litzow's boy,Liam.Liam suffers from cerebral palsy and funds are needed to provide the lad with a special standing frame,and gym equipment to aid his rehabilitation.The event will be held on Friday night April 03 at the Royal George Hotel,John Street Rosewood starting 7.30pm.Roll up and dig deep..

One thing worries me.When the dust settles after tonight,where will we be headed.Much of the future of trotting in Queensland has been staked on ID-09..Lets make sure we're up and running...with the ball!!