The first of four country class heat/final series in Queensland starts this weekend.
And there’s rich prizemoney up for grabs too.
Recently, Racing Queensland announced that three C2/C5 series worth $50,000 will be staged while the Premiers Cup also remains on the feature race schedule.
It provides a perfect opportunity for owners to cash in on their investment.
This Saturday night, two heats will be staged at Albion Park and it’s drawn together a group of horses from here, there and everywhere.
In total, seven horses are making their debut in Queensland with this series in mind.
And leading trainer Darrel Graham is aiming at the series with a pair of new pacers.
New Zealand pacer Chattanoogachoochoo and lightly raced Victorian Broadway Playboy will debut for the Fernvale based horseman.
Both pacers carry very strong records and have been deliberately set for this series.
“Broadway Playboy has been ready to go for about three weeks now but we’ve purposely held him back for this series while Dean (Shannon – owner) purchased Chattanoogachoochoo with this race in mind recently, it’s very good prizemoney.” Graham said.
Broadway Playboy will contest the opening heat of the series and faces a second-line draw, the Jeremes Jet gelding will start from gate nine but does follow out fast beginner Epaulette.
The well-related gelding has trialed on two occasions recently at Albion Park and Graham is confident of a forward showing.
“I’m happy with where he’s at going into this series; he made a break in his first trial and we’ve tinkered with his gear since and his most recent trial was good because he chased home a nice horse in fast time,”
“I like his draw and he’ll be running on strongly, it’s a race with strong depth but the aim is to qualify for the final and we’ll give it a good shot.”
Graham is still a little unsure on his latest acquisition from New Zealand but likes the look of the Christian Cullen gelding who will start from the inside of the second-line, gate eight.
Formerly prepared by Greg and Nina Hope, Chattanoogachoochoo has built up a handy record and mixed it with some of the country’s best pacers.
“We’ve been looking for some time and this horse came up at the right time and he ticked all the right boxes, he’s only just arrived so we’re still sorting him out but he has settled in very nicely,”
“Greg kept him in work and he looks in great order but he will improve immensely on whatever he does on the weekend, we’ve got a handy trailing draw and he should get his chance."
"We’ll be looking at winter carnival features with him down the track.”
Graham has enjoyed good success with former Kiwi pacers in recent times including the likes of Five Card Draw and Major Sam.
Chris Barsby – Courtesy of Racing Queensland