Time is running out For Real Life

TRAINER-DRIVER Trent Dawson is pleading for the remaining TAB Eureka slot holders to tune-in to Albion Park on Saturday night.

A dreadfully timed hoof abscess and the resultant impact on Dawson’s classy four-year-old For Real Life not only ruined his major Queensland winter harness racing targets, but also cruelled his chance to press for a TAB Eureka slot.

“The abscess burst out the week before the Rising Sun and put all his bloods out of whack. My vet said he would have been 15 lengths below his best form when he ran in The Hayden. He couldn’t believe he was as competitive as he was,” Dawson said.

“The whole (Queensland) carnival was a blow for us. We thought we had him right where we wanted him and everything went wrong at the worst possible time.

“I know we’re running out of time and chances to impress, but I’m sure he’s good enough to be really competitive in the TAB Eureka if we can somehow get a way in.

“Everything at home says he’s right back to his best and I just hope everyone is watching him on Saturday night.

“I think he can make a real statement this week.

“He’s taking on Free Thinker, who already has a slot in the TAB Eureka, so hopefully if we can beat him, people will take notice.”

For Real Life is one of three high-class Queenslanders pushing strongly for the remaining slots in the TAB Eureka.

Chantal Turpin’s Rising Sun winner Wisper A Secret and Shannon Price’s Sure Thing Captain, who won the “consolation” of last year’s TAB Eureka – the Stockade – are the others.

Like For Real Life, Sure Thing Captain will push his case this weekend. He’s in race four at Albion Park on Saturday night.

“We’ve also had our race against time,” Price said. “We had that setback a couple of months back which cost him a crack at the Rising Sun, but things have come together really well now and he’s right at the top of his game.

“He showed what he can do at Menangle last year and I’ve got no doubt he’s a better horse now.

“To do the work he did against Major Moth and keep fighting it out was a really good sign and he’s fitter again now.”

by Adam Hamilton, for The Eureka