Southern migration for big Qld riches

An inundation of Southern states harness racing trainers and drivers to Queensland’s rich winter features is underway, with the mass migration having the carnival touted as one of the strongest in years.

The 10-week Queensland Constellations, which gets underway tonight, will feature marquee events including Queensland’s Grand Circuit classic, the TAB Blacks A Fake ($350,000) and Group Ones, the AQWA Constructions The Rising Sun ($305,000) and Sunshine Sprint ($150,000).

Among the Victorians who’ve already arrived are the Mattie Craven and John “Bulldog” Nicholson teams, with the powerhouse Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin stable and the in-form Tubbs-Sugars team planning to fly north over the coming week.

Southern visitors Nicholson and foreman Michelle Phillips have handy performers Sebs Choice (Bettor’s Delight), Its Back In The Day (Washington VC) and Alby Two Chains (Captaintreacherous), all lining up tonight at Redcliffe. Nicholson has previously competed at Queensland winter campaigns, but it’s a new experience for Phillips.

“It was definitely a long trip up, ‘Bully’ did most of the driving, but it was a huge team effort to get here.  We were able to stop off at Peter Reynolds’ place at Dubbo overnight on the way up, which was great.  The horses went on Peter’s walker for a bit after we arrived there,” Phillips said.

“We’re now at Mark and Debbie Belford’s place at Redcliffe, and it’s a fantastic set up.  They couldn’t have been more accommodating and welcoming and we’re really enjoying being here.

“The horses are loving it – I brought up doona and canvas rugs after the weather we had when we left home, but we had to go out and buy some cotton rugs.  They’re definitely enjoying the sunshine and they’re thriving,” she said.

All three of the Nicholson team are last-start Melton winners but have been freshened for the Queensland campaign, having not raced in over a month.

Sebs Choice and Its Back In The Day will line up tonight in a standing start discretionary event as a qualifier for the Redcliffe Cup next week (Cup starters are required to have raced under standing start conditions in their past eight months). Alby Two Chains has drawn barrier 5 in the Group Three Garrards Patrons Purse ($31,160).

“Of course, The Rising Sun (July 9) is our key target but it’s quite hard to get into and based on the handicapper’s discretion. So we can only hope our Victorian form is good enough and we can do enough up here to be in the mix,” Phillips said.

Their eight-year-old stablemate Its Back In The Day is being aimed at the Group 1 Garrards Sunshine Sprint (July 16) and the Group 1 TAB Blacks A Fake (July 23).

“It’s all a new experience for me, but I’m absolutely loving it, especially because the horses have settled so well, and are fit and happy.  I can’t wait to get going and hopefully we can have a bit of success,” Phillips said.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink