Can the Kiwis win the Group 1s in Brisbane?

By Brittany Graham 

It is a big night for the New Zealand contingent at Albion Park in Brisbane with key chances in the two rich feature contests.

Race 7 – Yabby Dam Farms Great Square – 10.00pm NZ Time

For three and four-year-old trotters, this race has brought contenders from the three Eastern States of Australia as well as the South Island of New Zealand.

DASH DOSH really came of age as a late season three-year-old filly with her crowning moment in the New Zealand Trotting Oaks when overthrowing Tracy The Jet with sheer speed late. She hasn’t had the most straight forward campaign however booked her trip to this race with a dazzling display three weeks ago at Addington when recording a 27.9second last quarter off the track. She has drawn favorably although doesn’t possess an abundance of gate speed, so a best-case scenario would be slotting into a prominent position with John Dunn at the helm. There looks to be a high likelihood of genuine tempo in this race with several front of the field style horses, and she can take advantage late with her turn of foot.

JILLIBY DREAMLOVER disappointed last week as a short, priced favourite but looked to peak first up and should be benefited with further fitness after presenting eight weeks between runs. She does now have a 7 day back up and has spent plenty of time on the road this week but is possibly the most proven at the open class level. She was third in the Great Southern Star Final behind her stablemates earlier this year and was runner up in the Macarthur Mile two starts ago. She has exceptional gate speed and may aim up for the fence here early.  

I think the former Kiwi CRACKERJACK is significant overs despite his nasty outside second row draw. He was super first up on Australian soil in quick time and maybe impressed me even more in a trial last week at Shepparton against the pacers. He will rely on luck but has super speed and can be dangerous late.

I AM HELLBOUND has won an impressive eight races already this season, with most being in strong Menangle free-for-all races. He capped his campaign off with a painless Stellar Square win under these conditions last Saturday and isn’t afraid of doing some work.

Such is the depth of this contest I haven’t found a spot for last year’s Ascent winner TRACY THE JET, or Australian three-year-old trotter of last year MECARNO, and the chances don't end there.

SELECTIONS – (4) Dash Dosh, (6) Jilliby Dreamlover, (13) Crackerjack and (11) I Am Hellbound
 
Race 8 – Racing & Sports The Rising Sun – 10.32pm NZ Time

Many are touting this contest as the race of the year, and with the line up assembled, I can understand why.

After being crowned both the New Zealand two and three-year-old of the year, MARKETPLACE gets his opportunity to show his worth to the Aussies in this $300,000 contest.

He has been trained to the minute for this assignment, with two Australian preparation runs including an easy Wondais Mate effort last Saturday. Although crossed early last week, there is more gate speed in the locker if extended and I expect him to be dialed in at the 2138metre starting point on Saturday. With early pace, versatility and the best in the business in Luke McCarthy aboard, he is the horse to beat.

CAPTAINS MISTRESS is all the rage as a $1.45 favourite, and understandably so after winning 9 from 10 for Jason Grimson, including the Chariots Of Fire and QE2 mile at Menangle. She hasn’t raced for a month, however, readied for this Saturday with a sparkling trial where never off a helmet in an unofficial track record last week. She draws favourably in three however isn’t blessed with electric gate speed and may find herself in a slightly awkward position early with solid gate speed inside her, and electric speed outside.

FINAL DEADLINE, or DEADLINE as he was known when beginning his career in New Zealand has been quite the improver this season. With a second in the Chariots Of Fire, he announced himself as a top tier four-year-old pacer and has only added to that since with his Redcliffe Cup win two weeks ago. He crossed the field easily in the Chariots Of Fire earlier this year from a wider draw, and I have a feeling connections would be happy to give him his chance in front on the home track.

DOUBLE LOU confirmed his position in the field last week with an incredibly impressive Albion Park debut. Wide throughout, he powered away late in a slashing 1.50.9mile rate when creating quite the impression. Despite being crossed from 1 in the Chariots Of Fire earlier this year, I believe he can get forward and give himself an opportunity at a first four finish.

Although a three-year-old won this race last year, I think the likes of ZEUS LIGHTNING and HOLLYWOOD STRIP may struggle in what could very likely be a track record breaking time.

SELECTIONS (6) Marketplace, (3) Captains Mistress, (4) Final Deadline and (5) Double Lou