Third Aussie confirmed for Race by Grins

By Adam Hamilton

One of the rising stars of Australian pacing has added more depth to the $1m Race By Grins at Cambridge on April 12.

In something of a surprise, Queensland trainer Shannon Price (pictured above, red jacket) confirmed Miracle Mile placegetter Speak The Truth would head to Cambridge rather than the Group 1 Nullarbor at Perth’s Gloucester Park a week later.

Speak The Truth, who boasts 15 wins from just 28 starts, becomes the third confirmed Aussie-trained raider in the race, joining Better Eclipse (TAB NZ slot) and Rock N Roll Doo (Barrett Homes slot).

Price iced a deal yesterday (Thursday) for her five-year-old to run in the Hidden Honey slot at Cambridge.

“A month or so back, we didn’t have any offers for slots anywhere, but he’s come back so well and we then had a few to weigh-up,” she said.

“It’s been a great position to be in, but also a lot to consider.

“In the end, we think NZ is the easier trip for him and the best option at this stage of his career.

“We think he’s come back better than ever and it’ll be exciting to take him to NZ on what looks like being a fantastic night for the sport with its great pacing and trotting races.”

Speak The Truth won a heat and qualified for the Brisbane Inter Dominion final late last year, where he ran sixth to fellow Queenslander Leap To Fame.

He returned from a break with two terrific wins and a third to Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile last Saturday night.

Price said Leap To Fame’s defection from the Race By Grins certainly made the race more attractive.

“We’ve tried more than most to beat him many times and haven’t been able to,” she laughed. “It’s nice to be going into a rare big race where we don’t have to contend with him.”

There is still speculation Menangle trainer Jason Grimson could add further to the Aussie flavour by securing a slot with one of his stable stars.

There are already four Aussie-trained raiders confirmed for the inaugural $575,000 TAB Trot on the same night.

Champion Just Believe, who races at Melton tomorrow (Saturday) night, heads the way with European import Callmethebreeze, star mare Queen Elida and emerging star Arcee Phoenix.