Price stable set for Queensland Sun bid

June 29, 2022

Despite not ever laying eyes on Sumomentsomewhere until he turned up at her stable as a late three-year-old, Alberton trainer Shannon Price knew exactly how to prepare the gelding.

The son of Somebeachsomewhere started his career in the Victorian barn of Jess Tubbs before missing the majority of 2021 through a hock injury, which required surgery.  

And, when he was eventually sent north to the Sunshine State, the pacer and his new trainer – Price – immediately felt at home together.

The 48-year-old Price prepared Somebeachsomewhere’s mother Special Moment to Group 1 glory earlier in her career after originally breeding the mare.

“She is from a good family that we have had all their lives, we have had five generations of it,” Price said of Special Moment.

“We know them inside and out, with Somebeachsomewhere being a protégé of one of the mare’s.”

The hock injury required surgery and when the emerging pacer was working his way back, the Price stable then emerged as a new destination as he ramped up his recovery.

The four-year-old has settled into Queensland beautifully, winning seven of his first nine efforts for Price, including six straight at one stage, as this Saturday he goes searching for a Group level prize at Albion Park, like his mother.

Somebeachsomewhere will need to contend with a tricky draw in the Group 2 Queensland Sun – a brand new race in 2022 – with the winner gaining direct entry into The Rising Sun for 2022, which will be run seven days later.

Special Moment did not race on for much longer following her Group 1 triumph in the 2015 QBRED Triad Final for 2YO Fillies with Somebeachsomewhere her first foal.

It was a memorable night when Special Moment claimed one of the five Group 1’s Price has earned in her career.

“When she won that race it was sort of a Steven Bradbury style,” Price remembers with a laugh.

“There was a bit of carnage in the field at the 400 metre mark but she was able to cross the line first and they paid her out for first in prize money.

“It was time to retire her and she was put in foal to Somebeachsomewhere and this is the result.

“He has done good, winning seven of his last nine since I have had him, so he is above average. He is one of the good ones.”

Somebeachsomewhere is lovingly referred to as “Parker” around the Price barn and stable driver Mitch Cox – who is set to debut in the sulky on Thursday – cherishes his time with the big gelding.

“He is in career best form at the moment,” Cox said.

“I have driven him around home and he is almost the stable star at the moment.

“It makes it worthwhile getting up in the morning and working horses when you have one like Parker around.

“He is a bit of a character but he is a lovely horse.

“It is a dream come true to have horses like him – not everyone can get ones like him – so we are very fortunate to have one like Parker.”

The introduction of the $50,000 Group 2 Queensland Sun for three and four-year-old’s will act as the ideal lead up into Group 1 The Rising Sun.
The inaugural event will be restricted to horses trained by Queensland trainers or trainers whose horses predominately race in Queensland, offering the winner ballot-exemption from The Rising Sun run the following week.

“It is important to note that there is only four invites issued – other than the Queensland Sun, which is an auto-entry into the race the week – all the other spots into the race come from nominations, which closes on July 4,” Racing Queensland’s Senior Harness Racing Manager David Brick said of The Rising Sun field. 

“We encourage those with horses looking to get into the race to nominate because it will be a tough contest.
“The race is setting itself up to be one of the jewel’s in the Australian harness racing calendar.”

After putting six winners in a line, Somebeachsomewhere’s winning run came to an end in the Patron’s Purse at Redcliffe earlier this month.

Price was happy with the performance, regardless of the result, noting that he was drawn poorly, before he bounced back to add another victory at Albion Park last Friday.  

“He is a smart horse,” Price said.

“I know the sectionals he can run and I think he is up to a race like The Rising Sun.

“I think he can get to the top level but time will just tell.”

After starting his racing time in Victoria with Tubbs and Greg Sugars, the gelding will be reunited with his old team as they will call Price’s yard home for the remainder of the 2022 carnival.

Price will press on to The Rising Sun – which is worth $300,000 – if her stable star can overcome a sticky draw in the inaugural Queensland Sun.

“It is a good race and a good incentive to have something for the Queenslander’s,” Price said.

“It is great chance for us to show that our horses are as good as the rest of Australia.”

Sumomentsomewhere is rated a $8.50 chance with the TAB as of Thursday morning in the Queensland Sun. 

By Jordan Gerrans

General Admission

We offer free admission on all general race meetings, feature race meetings or charity events may have an entry fee. If you are unsure if the day you are attending is a feature race meeting please contact the club on 07 3262 2577.

Dress Code

The minimum dress standard for members of the general public attending The Creek is clean and neat casual dress. Footwear is mandatory at all times. Members of the general public may be refused entry by Club Officials if it is felt that these standards are not being adhered to.

Parking

Free parking is available for all general race day attendees. Our carpark can be accessed via Yulestar St, which is directly across the road from the Breakfast Creek Hotel carpark.

Race Day Facilities

Located within our main Grandstand building you will find Pacers and Chasers Bar & Bistro, TOTE and self serve betting terminals, as well as glass windows and television screens for race viewing. The building has a disabled lift and the grandstand includes a viewing deck for wheelchair access.

Cart item notice
Clear cart Go to checkout