Graham going for big double

If Wayne Graham is looking for inspiration, he doesn’t need to look far. The Beaudesert harness racing trainer heads to Albion Park on Saturday night with an excellent chance of claiming both feature events, the Gr.2 $50,000 QBRED Triad 3yo Finals.

And it would be safe to assume that’s easier said than done.

But it’s quite the opposite.

Because the last trainer to win both finals on the same night was Grant Dixon, the leading conditioner in both Queensland and Australia, who achieved the feat last year – 12 months ago!

It was Frankie Rocks and Get In The Groove who proved triumphant last year when dominating their rivals with power front-running displays.

In fact, Dixon pulled off the big double in both 2013 (Majestic Mach & Rani Major) and again in 2014 (Hezarealgem & Charming Allie).

So, that’s all the inspiration that Graham should be looking for ahead of the weekend’s features.

Graham prepares Clintal Do in the colts and geldings division while Jossie James represents the stable in the fillies final, both events to be staged over 2138m.

Both three-year-olds are raced by their breeders, Trevor and Louise O’Reilly.

And both pacers boast excellent recent form.

“It’s quite exciting heading to the races with two live chances in good quality races like this and both are in very good form. I’ve only just acquired Clintal Do but I really like what he’s doing and the Jossie James has always been held in high regard from our stable.” Graham said.

Clintal Do was originally prepared by Dayl March before switching to Graham and looked ultra-impressive when scoring first-up for the new stable at Redcliffe on May 2.

The Dawn Ofa New Day gelding led throughout in a time of 1:58.6 for 2040m, the track record belongs to Mind The Wire at 1:58.2.

Clintal Do has won 6 of his past 7 starts.

“He’s a surprise packet, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with him but I know Trevor holds him in high regard. We gave him a trial at Albion Park which he won before taking him to Redcliffe and he went performed at a really high level that day.

“I was quite shocked when Shane kept rolling with him but he did it easily and the plugs were still in at the finish, his recovery that day was good and he’s trained on well since. The draw seems kind enough and should provide Shane with plenty of options, that’s his concern because my job is done.”

Clintal Do starts from gate 5.

UBET bookies have listed Clintal Do as the $1.70 favourite.

Jossie James is already a proven feature race winner at Albion Park after claiming the Gr.2 $80,000 APG Brisbane Graduate Final last season and although her season didn’t start on the best note, Graham has turned her back around.

The Big Jim filly failed first-up back on January 24 and left connections on the back foot but Mother Nature has played its role and the speedy filly has since returned in excellent form.

Jossie James has won 3 of her last 4 starts including her latest effort at Albion Park on April 28 in 1:54.7.

Although proven at the distance, Graham still holds some reservations.

“I know she can run it but its how she has to run it, with cover it won’t be a problem at all but if she is left exposed that could be interesting. She can still get a little hot at home and on raceday so Shane will need to have her settled.

“Her latest effort was very good because she copped pressure and the third quarter was fast but she responded, that was mile race though. Her work has been good since and while the draw is not ideal, it could be a lot worse.”

Jossie James starts from gate 6.

UBET bookies have her listed as a $3 chance with comeback filly Eleniark at $1.65.

It was feared that Eleniark would miss the remainder of the season owing to a major hamstring tear back in late March/early April.

by Chris Barsby