Covid causes driver chaos with star pacers

Drivers for two of the headline acts of harness racing’s TAB Queensland Constellations – Copy That and Krug – remain unknown ahead of Saturday night’s feature meeting at Albion Park.

Champion driver Anthony Butt is down to drive Copy That in his first Queensland run, however, the Victorian runs a big stable down south and would need to self-quarantine for 14 days when he returns home.

It is even more delicate situation with the driver for last week’s stunning Redcliffe Derby winner Krug when he tackles Saturday week’s $250,000 Group 1 The Rising Sun at Albion Park.

Kiwi freelancer Blair Orange is the regular driver of Krug, but the suspension of the travel bubble between Queensland and New Zealand may strand him at home and leave trainer Cran Dalgety searching for a new driver.

Butt was stand-in driver for Krug at Redcliffe, but – if he goes to Brisbane – he is committed to driving Copy That in The Rising Sun.

“My plan is to come and it’s still a week-and-a-half away at this stage,” Orange said. “Let’s wait and see how things are mid next week. It’s out of my control, so there’s no point stressing about it. If I can get there, I’ll be there.”

Dalgety added: “It’s been Blair’s drive all along and it’s his until and if he says he can’t get here.”

Copy That’s trainer Ray Green plans to discuss the situation with Butt today (Thursday) in case he needs to think of a “Plan B” for this week’s race.

“He’s copped the visitor’s draw this week (gate eight, inside the back row) so he’s going to need plenty of luck anyway. If we win, we win and that’d be great, but he needs this run to top him off for the big one the week after,” he said.

Copy That faces some hot opposition in the Wondais Mate this week, headed by three of best Queensland-trained pacers in Colt Thirty One (gate six), Spankem (five) and Turn It Up (11).

Spankem, a former superstar Kiwi, looks the to one to beat with two runs under his belt for new trainer Darren Weeks and the benefit of the best draw he’s had so far in Queensland.

Colt Thirty One is on the quick back-up after returning from a spell with an encouraging third off a daunting 20m handicap in last week’s Redcliffe Cup.

By Adam Hamilton for Racing Queensland