It's Queensland’s night of nights with the running of the TAB Blacks A Fake at Grand Circuit level tomorrow.
Named after a Queensland modern day pacing champion and a winner of 4 Inter Dominion’s, the field will go over ‘Blackie’s’ favourite trip, the staying distance of 2680m.
With an undercard, if you could call it that, of a further five Group 1 status events – Saturday night is certainly the jewel in this carnival's crown.
While there have been some blow out results across the feature races so far, it's important we finish strong, and this is how I have assessed the Group 1s at Albion Park this weekend.
Race 4: Maer Group 2021 Queensland Trotters Cup (2138 metres)
Speed Map: leader – Majestic Simon; trail – Gold Chain; parked – Humble Ladd.
Selections: 11, 1, 13 and 7.
PINK GALAHS was dynamic throughout the Darrell Alexandar series and overcame the adversity of some steady standing start beginnings. She showed her electric speed last week to put her rivals to bed in a matter of strides, and with some early tempo likely, she should be able to stalk the pace before unleashing here. MAJESTIC SIMON should appreciate these conditions after being forced to come off 30m handicaps during the DJA series. Earlier this year he showed super gate speed to lead and run a 55-mile rate over the sprint trip and he can give some cheek in front once more. TOUGH MONARCH looks to have returned in nearly peak career form and comes into tonight’s run off two Menangle demolition jobs, including a track record performance last start. The draw stings as he is more known as a bold front running type these days, however his earlier career form showed how dangerous he was off the speed also. HUMBLE LADD was the best of the chasers in last weeks Group 1 and did a fair amount of mid race work which gave his performance further merit. His gate speed in New Zealand was very good, although I am not sure he has enough to lead these and he may be forced to do the bullocking work.
Race 5: TAB 2021 Queensland Derby (2680 metres)
Speed Map: leader – American Dealer; trail – Bondi Lockdown; parked – Krug.
Selections: 2, 10, 12 and 1.
AMERICAN DEALER has continued to improve as each week has gone by during this campaign, and his last two efforts have been full of merit. Last week, he was forced to come three wide solo from the 1100-metre mark and faced a strong head wind to prove too tough. Importantly, he has rated a quicker mile rate than the Rising Sun contestants in both his consolation victory and last week's South East Derby. Not noted for his gate speed early on during this trip, he left with them last week before being restrained and I believe he will have enough to press forward if asked. KRUG was simply devastating in his Redcliffe Derby success, when smashing the track record in emphatic fashion. I would give him a pass mark for his Rising Sun deeds, however, was slightly disappointed after he received an easy lead that he couldn’t be more in the fight against the four-year-olds. With that being said, he is a dual derby winner in New Zealand and obviously relishes the trip. Mattie Craven caused a boil over in the 2019 edition of this race and he has a two-pronged attack here for a title defence. BETTOR CALL ME has impressed me greatly so far and could be a horse to land a knockout blow should the speed remain on throughout. BONDI LOCKDOWN is a Group 1 winner this season and after a luckless effort last week, he comes up with a perfect draw on paper this week. He is still yet to furnish into the complete racehorse and he will need to settle over the staying trip, but he is talented.
Race 6: TAB 2021 Queensland Oaks (2138 metres)
Speed Map: leader – Soho Broadway; trail – Sporty Dancer; parked – Shes Miss Devine.
Selections: 1, 8, 3 and 6
After drawing the outside of the second row last week, the tables have turned this Saturday night for SOHO BROADWAY and she is now in the box seat. Making up a stack of ground and sectionally backing up what was a visually impressive effort, she now has the options after drawing the ace. She has very good gate speed, a good record when leading and has also had another week to settle into her new surroundings in Queensland. SPORTY DANCER won last weeks South East Oaks and looks as though she maps to get another economical trip once more. Her two local wins have been when she has followed the tempo and been able to produce a powerful finishing burst, therefore if she gets that quiet run, she is going to be dangerous again. CHRISSY CHIC competed nicely through the NSW Oaks series and, although defeated first up from a break still raced well. She is a gate speed, go forward mare and may have a dip for the lead early on. MOMENTSLIKETHESE probably brings the best form lines across her career into the race, with this G1 being her fourth attempt at that level. The gate is sticky, but last weeks performance was very promising.
Race 7: TAB Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship (2680 metres)
Speed Map: leader – King Of Swing; trail – Turn It Up; parked – Expensive Ego.
Selections: 1, 5, 10 and 9.
KING OF SWING looks near on impossible to beat in his title defence attempt after being allotted the inside barrier draw of one on Monday. His Sunshine Sprint defeat was enormous, after finding significant traffic issues, before charging the last 50 metres to come up narrowly short. His form when leading is dynamic and he has proven that his staying prowess is just as impressive as his sprinting, winning the WA Derby, A. G. Hunter Cup and last year's Blacks A Fake over staying trips. The race is at his mercy. COPY THAT has proven his versatility and class during this campaign after encountering many different trips and performing to a high level on each occasion. His Auckland Cup performance late last year proves that the distance looks no issue and, despite having to do some early work, a forward with cover position is a strong possibility. Things just did not go to plan in the Rising Sun for EXPENSIVE EGO but, in what turned into a sprint home, he was not far away. At his first Grand Circuit attempt, he raced admirably into second when sitting outside his stablemate King Of Swing in the Miracle Mile. Despite never racing over this longer trip, his racing pattern and never say die attitude should suit and he will no doubt be in for the fight, only missing the top three twice in his 22-start career to date. COLT THIRTY ONE knows what it takes to win this race and should be peaking for the Grand Circuit event after four starts back from a spell. From his second-row draw he will have the first option at a three fence and cosy trip, and the 2680m allows him to find his rhythm before displaying his turn of foot.
Race 8: 2021 Qbred Triad Final - 2YO colts and geldings (1660m)
Speed Map: leader – Future Assured; trail – Class To The Max; parked – Teddy Disco.
Selections: 6,7, 8 and 10.
SPEAK THE TRUTH improves each time he steps out on to the racetrack and, in what is an extremely open division of two-year-old boys, he may be sneaking under the radar. Last time out he hit the line strongly behind the likes of Teddy Disco and Dangerzone and his sectionals were super. The draw is sticky, however, he is on the up, whereas a few may be nearing the end of their campaigns. TEDDY DISCO has been a real surprise package this season and just continues to step up. His versatility has been noticeable and, despite winning four of his five starts, he is yet to lead and has come from various sticky positions. He looks likely to be the in the parked position in his second Group 1 attempt of the season, however, he proved he was up to that challenge at Redcliffe. DANGERZONE has been the benchmark all season long, despite tasting defeat at his last two starts, and remains a serious force here. The draw could be sticky or work out perfectly, it is hard to know, but his Breeders Classic win showed his extreme talent. AWAYWEGO is giving away experience to all of his other rivals, but he has shown ability in his three starts to date and could be the smoky if they really overdo it early.
Race 9: 2021 Qbred Triad Final – 2YO fillies (1660m)
Speed Map: leader – Cat King Cole; trail – Racy Roxy; parked – Shadys Cullect.
Selections: 3, 2, 9 and 5.
CAT KING COLE has been the dominant filly all season long and she should add her first Group 1 to the CV in the last of Saturday’s features. Tasting defeat narrowly against the boys, she didn’t appear overly comfortable utilising the sprint lane last week, however, her last 50 metres were very encouraging. She should be waved on to the front not long after the start here and make it a one-horse race from there on out. RACY ROXY made an uncharacteristic error last start banishing her out of the draw, however, she has trialled satisfactorily twice since and has been reincluded for tonight’s Group 1. Her prior efforts showed professionalism and she was able to take on and beat older rivals two back. ROSES ARE SWEET brings a last start Group 1 placing behind Teddy Disco into this race, however, hasn’t been seen under race or trial conditions since. She also has a tricky inside second row draw to deal with as well. SHADYS CULLECT is yet to break her maiden status however her consistent efforts of late have her as the best of the rest.
Best Bet: R10 N1 Ohoka Chopper
Value Play: R8 N6 Speak The Truth
t is going to be an enormous night of action out of Albion Park tomorrow (Saturday) night and Sky Racing Active will have all bases covered. It will also be Adam Hamilton’s final time hosting a coverage, and it is sure to be a big one so make sure to download the app if you haven’t already!
Brittany Graham is a regular host on Sky Racing and the Sky Racing Active app, plus In The Gig with Ben Way and Gareth Hall every Tuesday night on Sky Racing 2 from 6pm.
The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.