More Invites To The Rising Sun

A trio of Australasia’s top pacers have been confirmed for the $355,000 Group 1 AQWA Constructions The Rising Sun.

Group 1 champions The Lost Storm and Merlin (Its Merlin when racing in Australia) will be joined by rising star Sooner The Bettor at Albion Park on July 13, joining Chariots Of Fire winner, Frankie Ferocious, as confirmed starters.

The Lost Storm solidified his status as one of the nation’s brightest prospects in late 2022, with victory in the Group 1 Vicbred 2YO C&G Final, before adding a second win at the top level with a dominant display in the Queensland Derby six months later.

He returned for his 4YO campaign earlier this month with a convincing victory in the Group 3 Melton Plate.

Merlin, who is considered one of New Zealand’s best pacers, will be looking for further feature success in Australia after taking out the Group 2 Light Horse at Menangle earlier in the month.

With more than half-a-million dollars in prize money, the Barry Purdon-trained four-year-old will be looking to add another Group 1 feature to the trophy cabinet following success in the Woodlands Stud Northern Derby in Auckland last year.

Stablemate Sooner The Bettor also continues to impress in Australia, having run second in both the Group 1 Miracle Mile and Chariots Of Fire at his last two starts.

“In only its fourth iteration, The Rising Sun has quickly become one of the flagship races on the Queensland harness racing calendar,” RQ Senior Racing Manager – Harness David Brick said.

“The interest in the race – both at home and abroad – is stronger than ever, and we are excited to see a number of New Zealanders and interstate runners make the trip to the Sunshine State to be a part of the Queensland Constellations.

“You only have to look at the race’s honour roll – headlined by reigning champion Leap To Fame – to see the quality of the race, and 2024 is shaping to be no different with four genuine superstars already locked in.”

In a change to the race format from previous editions, RQ and the Albion Park Harness Racing Club will issue up to eight invites this year.

The field will include at least two three-year-olds, the winner of The Queensland Sun and the balance of the field will be made up of nominations.

The Rising Sun will once again hold an additional $100,000 bonus for a three-year-old winner – while for the first time, a $25,000 bonus is on offer if a three-year-old runs second or third.

In line with RQ’s focus on innovation, the ‘pick your own barrier’ element will again take place alongside the existing preferential barrier draw for The Rising Sun, adding further intrigue to the race.

Throughout the Queensland Constellations, more than $4 million in prize money and bonuses will go on the line throughout five action-packed weeks of harness racing, including eight Group 1s and seven feature race nights.

 

Our Overanova Honoured

Tonight’s feature race will be the Our Overanova marathon, the race named to honour the greatest trotters to be trained in Queensland.

Arriving with the Grant Dixon stable as a one-win performer in 2013, the son of Monarchy retired in 2021 with the remarkable figures of 203: 64-34-27, earning stakes of $522,333 in his career for owner Greg Mitchell.

While much of his racing was for the Dixon stable, Our Overanova spent some periods interstate, winning races for Belinda McCarthy and Shane Sanderson and placed at Group level when prepared by Michael Stanley.

However, it was for Dixon’s and at The Creek where he excelled and was such a consistent performer over an extended period, retiring with 51 Albion Park victories, only Destreos recording more wins at The Creek.

The only trotter to win two Darrel Alexander Championships, 21 of his victories at The Creek came when starting from a handicap of 40- metres or greater and most Saturday nights, he would invariably be in the last race of the night.

Ten different drivers had race night success aboard Our Overanova, eight of those driving the gelding to success at The Creek.

Adam Sanderson, Isobel Ross, Kylie Rasmussen, Paul Diebert, Peter Greig and Robbie Morris all had one victory, while Trista Dixon secured three wins in 2013, 2017 and 2020 aboard Nova.

It was Grant Dixon that had the greatest success aboard his favourite trotter, claiming 42 wins around the Albion Park oval behind his start square gaiter, including a memorable victory at his last ever race start on July 31, 2021.

A win by Zealous Spur would be a fitting victory in the Our Overanova marathon, the gelding trained by Dixon and owned by Greg Mitchell Racing.

The seven-year-old is a six-time winner at The Creek and comes into the race following a third last week behind Majestic Lavros.

However, it will be Gus and Pete McMullen and Adelle with Chloe Butler taking the reins that look the main dangers.

After securing victory in the McNeil Championship Final two weeks back, Gus will be looking to add the Trotters Marathon to his small but burgeoning list of achievements.

Still lightly raced, the Chantal Turpin trained square gaiter progressed to the Inter Dominion Final at just his 16th career start.

The five-year-old was a dominant winner in the McNeil when sent forward with 1000 metres to run, taking control and scoring a strong victory.

The scratching of Defensive Guy could change the race shape, with the Matt Crone trained six-year-old starting favourite for the recent McNeil Final.

“I don’t think it will change what happens too much,” McMullen said when assessing the race.

“We are happy with him, and the standing start suits him.

“The two miles should not be a problem, he seems to handle the longer races, his speed is certainly his better asset, but he handles what he has been asked to do.

“If anything, I might need a reminder to keep count of the laps” McMullen joked about the three-lap contest.

Adelle was making up late ground last week, attacking the line strongly over the mobile mile, and is another that should not find any issue with the marathon trip.

Nine races are set down with the Our Overanova Marathon, Race 6 at 7.55pm.

The first race will jump at 5.03pm.

MOST WINS ALBION PARK ONLY
HORSE STARTS WINS 2NDS 3RDS STAKES
DESTREOSNZ 323 73 56 44 $599,190
OUR OVERANOVA NZ 125 51 29 22 $394,890
NICKYS FALCON NZ 228 47 30 39 $315,790
TOOLARA DREAM 104 42 29 11 $241,575
COLT THIRTY ONE 67 41 16 4 $703,794

Seaside Victory At The Creek

 

The second two-year-old race of the season in Queensland has gone to a graduate of the inaugural Sunshine Stars Yearling Sale.

The Ron Sallis trained and Narissa McMullen driven Seaside Glory finished best in the six-horse field to break maiden ranks at her second start with an impressive performance.

“Like last week, she is still very green,” Sallis said after the win.

“She’s a good pacer but she can run around a bit, she is very green, but she is a lovely filly that is relaxed and won’t kick or bite.”

The late scratching of the morning line favourite -Lieutenant Lou- saw Need Not To Warry take over as the market leader and as the field was released, the six runners quickly formed into single file behind the favourite, My Ultimate Sassy trailing out the back with an early error.

Remaining in that formation until the 800, it was Our Sweet Jess that made the first move, angling out to lead up the one-wide line.

Seaside Glory which was travelling four back in the line gained the perfect cart into the race on the back of Our Sweet Jess as Need Not To Warry led the field through quarters of 28.6 and 31.8.

Approaching the home bend, McMullen eased three wide and despite the filly wanting to have a look around in the stretch, was able to get to the leader and claim a 2.2 metre victory.

The filly was bred by the Seymour’s Solid Earth arm, out of the 15-time winner Remember Ruby who took a lifetime best of 1.54.6.

Sallis purchased the filly at the 2023 Sunshine Stars Sale, going there with the intention of buying a lot by Downbytheseaside.

“My broodmare Opals Delight went to Downbytheseaside, and she missed, so I said to Stacey, when the sales come, we only look at a Downbytheseaside,” he said.

“When we looked at her, we liked her, and I liked this one in particular, because her granddam is Rich Heritage and I was at McCarthy’s when they had her.

“She was a beautiful mare, and this one is similar, a solid, quiet mare.”

The win gave Sallis his sixth training win of the season, with the $14,000 QBRED first win bonus added to the prizemoney, meaning the purchase outlay is almost recovered from the filly.

While there were plenty of smiles after the win, soon after purchasing the filly, things were not so bright for Sallis who was struck down with vertigo the day after the Sunshine Stars Sale that saw him hospitalised.

“Its awful, its terrifying and I was in hospital for a week.

“Geoff Dawson helped me break her in, because I was not well, and I really appreciated the help he gave me.

“But I can laugh about it now because everyone was telling me I got crook because I spent so much money.” Sallis laughed.

After winning her maiden, Sallis is now unsure which direction to head with the filly, potentially leading towards giving her a few days off before tackling the Nutrien Classic Sales Heats on April 9 at The Creek.

Seaside Glory now joins Lieutenant Lou, Sugar Rush and Ohoka Dream as winners already this season from the 2023 Sunshine Stars Sale.

 

Team Teal Drivers Invitation Headlines Night

There may be plenty of eyes focused on Menangle with the Miracle Mile and support card, however Saturday night will play host to a ten-race card at The Creek.

One highlight of the night will be the Team Teal Female Drivers Invitation, the annual event a keenly sought prize by the ladies with the 2024 edition looking a wide-open contest.

Shane Graham has a strong book of drives on the night and will also produce a two-prong attack on the Team Teal event with Madam Maggie and Diamond Bikini both strong chances.

Narissa McMullen will drive the in-form Keayang Moon Shine for Tamworth trainer Richard Williams, with the mare a Saturday night winner in tough fashion two starts back.

“Her last few starts have been really good,” McMullen told Weekend Winners.

“She looks a pretty versatile type-and can do a little bit of work, so I think she’ll run a really good race.

“I think we’ll have a look early and go from there, she seems to be able to do it at both ends.”

Narissa drives some good chances across the card with her own hors Bobby Waterhouse coming up with the outside front line in a strong qualifying race.

Chappy Streetnorth is a newcomer to Queensland that joins the Matt Elkins stable, with Narissa taking the reins while Matt serves a suspension imposed last Saturday.

“He is a horse with plenty of ability but has plenty of tricks to go with it,” she said of the five-year-old that arrives a nine-time career winner.

“If he does everything right, he will run a really good race.

“He hates being restrained, so we will be letting him go forward and let him do what he wants.”

The Free for All is race 4 where Manila Playboy will be looking to make it back-to-back wins after scoring a tough win last week when sitting parked.

The six-year-old did all the heavy lifting parked outside Turn It Up and was able to put him away to record a PB mile of 1.51.5.

This week’s distance increases to 2138 metres, with Deus Ex drawn to take first look at the poles if they opt to hand over on Turn It Up which led last week’s race from barrier seven.

Race 1 is scheduled to start at 5.39pm, with the last at 10.05pm.

Lieutenant Lou Salutes

The first two-year-old race of the year in Queensland was run and won at The Creek today, with Lieutenant Lou justifying the market support with a dominant win.

It was not all plain sailing however, the gelding put in some funky steps at the 1200m point before resetting and returning to a pace.

As the mobile released the field of six, it was Lieutenant Lou that showed superior early speed and quickly into stride was able to cross to the front as Samnate eased across to sit parked, with Seaside Glory taking the trail as they put the first quarter up in 28.5.

Approaching the 1200, Lieutenant Lou went roughly and that allowed Samnate to work to the front, as Brendan Barnes settled Lieutenant Lou, sliding back down in behind the leader, forcing Seaside Glory to three back along the inside, leaving Racana exposed leading the one wide line.

With a steady time for the ‘babies’ as they put up a middle half of 61.7, there were no real moves as they passed the quarter pole.

Turning for home, Barnes angled Lieutenant Lou to the outside and the gelding responded, powering home to claim a decisive victory over Samnate which held on for second place.

The margin was 12.1 metres, with a head back to the third placed Need Not To Warry which darted through along the passing lane.

“It was so pleasing to win first up with this horse, he has a lovely group of owners,” trainer Graham Dwyer said after the race.

“This guy has been so easy to deal with right the way through” he said.

The son of Sweet Lou out of the mare Major Bonus is a graduate of the inaugural Sunshine Stars Yearling Sale, with Dwyer and clients going to $25,000 to secure the colt.

Educated by Darren Weeks and Kylie Rasmussen before heading back to Dwyer, all early reports were positive.

“We were keen on him on the page, and then when we saw him, he ticked all the boxes, he was just such a lovely type.

“The fact we have the Nutrien race and the Sunshine Stars to target and the fact he is QBRED which he claimed the bonus for today, makes it so worthwhile,” Dwyer said.

It has been a strong week for graduates of the Sunshine Stars Sale, with three winners coming in the past six days.

Last Wednesday at Bathurst, Sugar Rush became the first winner to come through the 2023 Sale and then one night later, Ohoka Dream was the second winner when successful at Penrith.

Lieutenant Lou is now the first Queensland based graduate of the Sunshine Stars to claim victory and also the first two-year-old winner for the season in the Sunshine State.

Dwyer was hesitant to map out any concrete plans with the gelding, however the Nutrien Classic Heat on April 9 looks a likely target.

 

 

Defensive Guy Looking To Sweep McNeil Championship

JIM MCNEIL FINAL SATURDAY

After four heats, only one horse was able to claim victory in the two heat rounds and look to chase a threepeat in this Saturday’s McNeil Final.

Since changing to a two-heat and Final Series, Needle is the only horse to go through a McNeil Championship undefeated, successful in 2018 for driver Gary Whitaker and trainer Brad Connelly.

Defensive Guy was impressive in both rounds of heats and the Matt Crone trained six-year-old will head into the final in top shape.

“He is a really happy horse at the moment, everything this week suggests he will be at the top of his game,” Crone said.

“We can’t read much into his track work because he is a really poor worker, it’s at the races where he really switches on.

“Our main concern this week is the traffic after the start, it will be tricky, and we just need to hope that they all step cleanly in front.

The second heat victory was a strong effort, with Defensive Guy having plenty still to offer on the wire, getting within 0.4 of the track record held by Our Overanova which was set in 2015.

With only two attempts at 13 furlongs, one of those was in a heat of the Victoria Trotters Derby in 2021 and the other in last year’s Redcliffe Trotters Cup.

“Distance won’t be a problem, he was so strong at the end of both heats, and I think he will even be better over the longer trip,” Crone said.

“He went so close to a track record, and Angus (Garrard- driver) agrees that he should thrive”.

Gus will look to test Defensive Guy in the Final, the Chantal Turpin trained five-year-old finishing third in the first-round heat before being unplaced in the second round, his chances not helped with an error at the 1800 metre point.

Searching for his first feature victory in Queensland, Gus progressed to the Inter Dominion Final in December and finished fifth in the inaugural The Great Square.

Doug Lee will be looking to become the first back-to-back winner of the McNeil, the six-year-old charging home down the outside to score last year, while he draws for the perfect trip behind the speed in 2024.

The open class race this week will see the rematch of Manila Playboy, Deus Ex and Turn It Up, the three having met at the start of February when Turn It Up was successful.

Since that last meeting, Deus Ex has recorded two wins, including one over Turn It Up, while Manila Playboy finished third at Menangle behind Hot And Treacherous.

The opening race of the night should be a great contest with five of the 10 runners boasting a last start victory.

Art Jester, Bangkok Deejay, Ok Boomer, Loutenant and Argyle are all last start winners and all in their own impressive fashion.

The first race is scheduled for 5.39pm, with the Jim McNeil Final race 4 at 7.11pm.

 

 

 

 

Sunshine Stars Graduates Stepping Out

Sunshine Stars Graduates Stepping Out

The first graduates of the inaugural Ladbrokes Sunshine Stars Sale in 2023 have been starting to appear on racetracks down the eastern seaboard over the past six weeks.

A catalogue of 138 yearlings was offered in the 2023 draft with 128 of those stepping into the ring on sale day.

Two weeks ago, Our Aunty Belma became the first graduate of the 2023 sale to face the starter, with the Anthony Frisby trained filly finishing fifth on debut.

The daughter of Well Said out of the mare Awesome Belmer was an $8,000 purchase last year and tonight will line up for her second start where she will clash with another Sunshine Stars graduate.

KerryAnn and Robbie Morris will trek across the Blue Mountains from their Menangle base with their filly Sugar Rush, as the daughter of Stay Hungry makes her race debut from barrier four.

From the first crop of Stay Hungry foals in Australia, the Somebeachsomewhere stallion has had three starters to date this season, already producing Louie Vee, an impressive 1.55.3 winner at Gloucester Park at his first start.

“Off the back of our second sale completed here three weeks ago, to see the graduates of the Sunshine Stars Sale starting to appear in trials and races is exciting,” The Creek’s Ken Rutherford said.

“The Nutrien Sale heat for 2024 two-year-olds is fast approaching and with the big money on offer through the entire season which will culminate in the Sunshine Stars Series, the numbers are extremely encouraging and highlight the quality and groundwork that the vendors put into their stock.”

12 months down the track from that first Sunshine Stars Sale and the percentage of horses that have been named sits at a healthy 55%, with 70 now known under a race name.

Along with tonight’s two starters at Bathurst, the first Queensland starter from the 2023 Sunshine Stars draft will also become the first two-year-old to race in the Sunshine State for the 2024 season when it steps out tonight at Redcliffe.

The Murray Thomas trained Whykikamoocow is a son of Changeover and was a $5,000 purchase last year, with the gelding engaged in race 10 tonight.

Complementing the three starters tonight, a further six have qualified and another 25 have been at the educating trials across three states.

NAME DAM SIRE GAIT PERFORMANCE
WHYKIKAMOOCOW MAD MILLY CHANGEOVER NZ P Qualified
LIEUTENANT LOU MAJOR BONUS SWEET LOU USA P Qualified
LONDON BABY MANHATTAN MONTANA STAY HUNGRY (US) P Qualified
SEASIDE GLORY REMEMBER RUBY DOWNBYTHESEASIDE USA P Qualified
SUGAR RUSH ANGELAS IMAGE STAY HUNGRY (US) P Qualified
OUR AUNTY BELMA AWESOME BELMER WELL SAID USA P Raced
PRINCESS BALLERINA BALLERINA COURU STAY HUNGRY (US) P Qualified
ACHY BREAKY ARK DONT BREAK MY ARK VINCENT P Qualified
OUR ULTIMATE WILMA ESPLESHIMADE LOMBO LAZARUS NZ P Qualified
OGDEN JESSIE BESSIE SEBASTIAN K (SWE) T Educated
OUR ULTIMATE LOIS LADY LINDENNY DOWNBYTHESEASIDE USA P Educated
BUSTER DAN LADY MACKENDON SOUTHWIND FRANK (US) T Educated
EXPECT LESS LAURA MADISON CHANGEOVER NZ P Educated
FIRST SALUTE LETS GO ONE BETTOR CAPTAIN CRUNCH USA P Educated
MY ULTIMATE FREDDIE NZ MILLWOOD IVY CAPTAINTREACHEROUS (… P Educated
ZARAS SPECIAL OURARK STAY HUNGRY (US) P Educated
THE LADY DIOR PALOMA BEACH FOR A REASON P Educated
ROCKNROLL RINA SEGESTA VINCENT P Educated
WICKED MACK SHEZ SMASHING MCWICKED USA P Educated
MY ULTIMATE BARNEY TREASURE ME ART MAJOR USA P Educated
AIR BORN WALKING ON AIR SPORTWRITER USA P Educated
STAY FOOLISH WITHERSPOON STAY HUNGRY (US) P Educated
MAROON BELLS ASPENGLOW UP AND QUICK (FRA) T Educated
OUR ULTIMATE STORMY BET I CAN SWEET LOU USA P Educated
DOWN SOUTH DAISY BRYLIN CRESCENT SOUTHWIND FRANK (US) T Educated
BELMER BETTY CASUARINA BELMER BETTING LINE USA P Educated
ANIMORE COURAGEOUS ANNIE ALWAYS B MIKI USA P Educated
ELLEZIE ELLE M AYE BETTORS DELIGHT USA P Educated
ROMAN SOLDIER HEART OF GLASS CENTURION ATM USA T Educated
VICTREE ATOM HORIZON BROMAC ALWAYS B MIKI USA P Educated
VICTREE BUSTA ILIKEMILLIE STAY HUNGRY (US) P Educated
VICTREE CHARLIE IM SUGAR COATED BETTING LINE USA P Educated

From the Callers Box – March

We’re fresh into 2024.

Now entering the third month of the year, a question needs to be raised.

And it’s a BIG question.

Is Nathan Dawson a ‘lock’ to win the State drivers premiership again?

Can/will he go back-to-back?

Fresh off his record-breaking season in 2023 which netted a Queensland record of 409 victories (413 in total Australia wide), most would assume that trend continues this year.

But, as we know in this industry, guarantees are hard to come by while nothing lasts forever.

Heck, only two years ago Pete McMullen became the first Queensland driver to go beyond 300 winners in a single season and most thought that record would last for some time.

In the end, most were just starting to fully understand the magnitude of the effort before Dawson completely obliterated the mark set by McMullen.

For those needing a refresher, Dawson drove an extra 98 winners compared to McMullen.

The cousins remain the only Queensland based drivers to reach 300 wins or more in a single season.

So, back to the original question, will Dawson win the Premiership race again?

The start to 2024 for Dawson is completely different compared to last year, firstly, he took a well-deserved two-week break following his hectic schedule last year.

The two-week break was required to clear the head, reflect, and then refocus on the current year.

Dawson has made it clear he wants to keep improving, pushing the boundaries, and maintaining his position as the No.1 driver in the state.

As it stands, entering March, Dawson is second behind Angus Garrard in the State premiership race, about a dozen behind, but certainly within striking distance.

But he’s a long way behind where he was positioned twelve months earlier.

It must be said, Garrard has made an absolute flying start to 2024.

When Chris Alford set the record of 456 wins in a single season (2017/18), he managed to win 422 the following season (2018/19).

And when Pete McMullen set the Queensland record of 315 wins (2021), he managed to win the state premiership the following season although he didn’t crack 300, he finished up with 266.

So, the target of 400 or more again looks unlikely but remaining as the No.1 driver in the state is still a distinct possibility.

Dawson will be challenged throughout the year, no doubt, but he’s proven he’s got the mental capacity to accept the challenge that lies ahead.

Bottom line, it’s going to be a fascinating watch throughout the year.

 

Until next time.

Mare Of The Month Title Up For Grabs

MARE OF THE MONTH TITLE UP FOR GRABS

The Changeover Monthly mares bonus looks set to go down to the wire, with several chances in the running as the last Saturday meeting for February is decided.

A service to Changeover thanks to Garrards Horse and Hound is up for grabs, awarded to the mare that accrues the most points in mare’s races on a Saturday night throughout each month.

The Jack Butler trained Vindicate holds all the aces in chasing the February bonus, holding a one-point lead over the Nathan Rothwell trained Playa Blanca and another Butler trained mare in Bettor Romance.

However, Playa Blanca and Bettor Romance will be unable to reel in the leader as neither are engaged to do battle this Saturday night.

After settling three back along the inside last week, Vindicate sprouted wings in the stretch to claim victory and after placings in the first two Saturdays of the month, leads the chase for the bonus on six points.

If Vindicate finishes unplaced this week, Lulu Lucifer or Girl From Rosedale can leapfrog Butler’s seven-year-old to claim the bonus if they were victorious, likewise, if Forgive Me wins race seven, connections of the Peter Greig trained mare could potentially take the bonus.

Race three is the Garrards Horse & Hound February NR70 Final and looks set to be a great battle.

Sir Brigadoon has drawn poorly in gate seven for trainer Graham Dwyer, however the six-year-old has been faultless in three runs since arriving in Queensland, breaking 1.55 in all three, including a passing lane victory at Redcliffe to qualify for this Final.

Dwyer will unleash a three-prong attack on the race, his three runners drawn the outside three gates off the front line- Luxury Lad (5), Kickatinalongpony (6) and Sir Brigadoon (7).

“I have a lot of time for ‘Pony’ but I also think Sir Brigadoon is right in this, despite the gate and he has worked super since the heat win,” Dwyer said.

The Beauden Blues will also face a tough gate for Pete McMullen, the four-year-old finishing as the runner-up in the January edition, doing all the work in the run before being collared in the last strides by Bangkok Deejay.

Despite being super consistent and contesting several features during his three-year-old term, the Chantal Turpin trained pacer will be hoping to increase his win strike-rate at The Creek which currently sits at two from 16, the most recent of those back in September.

Race four will see the return of Speak The Truth, the Shannon Price trained five-year-old drawing wide in gate seven in the Aqwa Constructions Band 2-4 Pace.

First up since the Inter Dominion Final, Speak The Truth trialled at Redcliffe behind stablemate Sure Thing Captain on Monday night and a solid race performance will fortify plans to head south for a potential tilt at the Miracle Mile.

It will be just the third time since returning for his four-year-old season that Speak The Truth will have contested a race over the Albion Park 1660 metre journey.

Winning first up in April 2023 in a sizzling 1.51.9, his only other appearance for the season over the trip was in the Inter Dominion Heats when seventh behind Leap To Fame.

The last race of the night will see a number the Turpin stables talented three-year-olds stepping out, with last start Group 1 Triad winner Rylee Rhayne Bow drawn the widest of the small field.

Shes Fullofpsirit could be in for a big season, the three-year-old filly resuming from gate two with the State’s premiership leading driver, Angus Garrard, handed the reins.

A two-time winner last season, a smart trial from the filly has her ready to tackle the 2138 metre trip first up, with four of the six runners stepping out over the middle trip for the first time.

Race 1 is set to jump at 5.34pm with the last, race 10, scheduled for 10.44pm.

 

 

 

Impressive Literary Collection Donated

The Creek are the proud recipients of a recent donation of a large amount of trotting memorabilia thanks to the family of Mr Maurice Curtin.

Curtin had a love of the horse, more specifically, he loved to study and trace the breeding of the standardbred.

With his working life spent as a fitter and turner for the Queensland Government Printing office, his escape and hobby came in researching pedigrees and bloodlines.

In a time when the internet did not exist, breeding buffs relied on the Stud Book and for Maurice Curtin, he used this time to trace the breed of the standardbred and was able to use his research and knowledge to offer advice to other breeders.

Mr Curtin passed away in mid-2023 and after decades of research of the standardbred, had acquired a substantial literary resource which he had used over time as he examined and delved into the different aspects of pedigrees and breeding.

A call to The Creek from Leanne Fox- Mr Curtin’s daughter- has led to the Curtin family donating the entire library of printed books and scrapbooks of articles that Mr Curtin had acquired over his life.

Included in the collection is every printed edition of the Australian Trotting Stud Book from 1955-2007 before it went completely electronic.

The first editions of the Australian Stud Book for Trotters are also included, Volume 1 – which was printed in 1910- the small bound book in amazing order, along with several scrapbooks in impeccable condition.

“Our father had a lifelong interest of breeding trotters and thoroughbred horses,” Ms Fox said.

“When we were growing up, the books provided a retreat for Dad from his daily life.

“Most Saturday afternoons he would research his books for breeding information, create the scrapbooks and provide research for horse breeders and trainers.”

Curtin was sought after by many breeders, keen to lean on his knowledge and breeding advice from the countless hours of study and research.

Not only did his analysis centre around the Australian Trotting Stud Book, but his research also included the collection of newspaper, journal, and magazine articles, basically anything that he saw relevant to breeding or the development of the harness racing industry.

Any printed piece of breeding relevance that Mr Curtin could locate, was fastidiously placed in one of his many scrapbooks, which remain in immaculate condition considering some are over 50 years old.

Also, a regular attendee at Albion Park, Maurice Curtin immersed himself in every aspect of breeding and his lifelong passion can now be seen at The Creek.

The father of five children, Terrence, Leanne, Michelle, Sharon and John, the family have very generously handed over the entire collection of books and scrapbooks.

“We could not think of a better way to preserve the history of our father’s collection than having the comprehensive collection of books and scrapbooks of newspaper and magazine clippings enjoyed by current and future generations and housed at the Albion Park Harness Racing Club,” Ms Fox said.

Now sitting on display in The Creek boardroom alongside the trophy from the first ever Inter Dominion Championship, the club is grateful to the Curtin Family for entrusting us with such important vestiges.

Anyone wishing to view the collection please contact Darren Clayton at The Creek.

Vale Maurice John Curtin, 22 / 05 / 1933 – 24 / 06 / 2023.