Catch up on the week's harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.
TARGARYEN REWARDED
It would be hard to begrudge the win of the Jack Butler-trained Targaryen who has been one of the most consistent pacers all season.
In his 30 starts in 2024, the seven-year-old consistently produces sectional times that are generally the best from his races, however they have not translated to race day success.
Looking likely that he would meet the same fate from inside the second line last week, the gelding was soon shuffled to three back along the inside when positions were sorted.
Darting through along the inside when the gap presented, the son of Big Jim showed the closing speed he has displayed all season, but this time it was enough to arrive for just his second win of the year.
Targaryen stopped the clock in 1.55.5 for the 2138 metre journey, his second win sitting alongside a further nine placings in 2024, taking his career record to 20 wins and career stake earnings approaching $200,000.
Stepping up to contest the 2023 Inter Dominion, Targaryen finished third in the Consolation behind Cantfindabettorman and Blacksadance.
The win was one of three for the week at 'The Creek' for trainer Jack Butler, who claimed a metropolitan double on Saturday night with wins to Don Arthur and Braedos Lad, both winners overcoming the outside front line to score.
Like Targaryen, Don Arthur was driven to victory by Chloe Butler, while Braedos Lad continued his strong form with a dominant win in fast time with Adam Richardson taking the reins.
LIVINGSTONE BACK IN BUSINESS
After a hiatus, John Livingstone is back in the training ranks and last week at Albion Park he had his first starter since the 2010-11 season.
Livingstone's son Clinton has had good success purchasing horses from New Zealand in the past two seasons.
Fellow son Brent is back driving following a similar period off the scene as his father.
The Livingstone trio were represented by two runners last Tuesday.
Luka Doncic and Jaccka Cooper were both first-up from New Zealand without local trials and while both were unplaced in their respective races, they could both be given pass marks for their first Queensland appearances.
Brent has already been able to guide the Debra Belford-trained Emmaleen to victory from his four drives since returning.
With some good fire power in the stable, that includes the impressive trial-winning trotter Gaz Man, established open class pacer Hot And Treacherous and talented trotting mare Funny Face, a winning return for the Livingstone team may not be too far away.
ROTHWELL HITS TRIPLE EIGHT
Currently in his third full season as a licensed trainer and driver, Nathan Rothwell is continuing to have a strong campaign.
On Thursday at Redcliffe, Rothwell partnered with Tommy Bligh, a pacer he trains and owns with his brother Will, to lead throughout in the opening race of the day.
The win was the eighth training victory for Rothwell this season and equalled the eight wins he has recorded at each of his past two seasons.
Tommy Bligh has now won 10 races in his career with nine of those under the care of the Rothwell brothers and five of those on the Redcliffe 'Triangle'.
Playa Blanca is the most successful horse that they have prepared, the mare is an 11-time winner and closing in on $100,000 in stake earnings since being under the care of the Rothwells.
With his most successful season in the driving ranks, the win of Tommy Bligh took Nathan to 68 winners for the term, having recently surpassed 100 career wins.
That win also made it 58 driving victories at Redcliffe for Nathan, exactly half of his 116 career wins to date, while his 68 winners in 2024 have him second on the concession drivers’ premiership behind Angus Garrard.
LARRY GIVES A LESSON
If ever there was a race where Leap To Fame could potentially be vulnerable, it was Saturday night’s Smoken Up Sprint at Melton.
Faced with the outside front line over the sprint trip with speed to his inside and having floated by road the almost 2,000km journey from Tamborine to Victoria, the potential chink in the armour may have been there to be exploited.
However, the Queensland champion quickly stamped his authority and posed an ominous warning to his rivals for this Saturday’s Victoria Cup with his dominant victory.
Allowed to balance before being sent forward, Grant Dixon let 'Larry' slide and took the front from the early leader Mach Dan with just on 1000 metres to travel.
With the opening half in in 57.8 seconds, Dixon lifted the tempo down the back with the third split appearing on the board in 27.7 seconds before sprinting hard up the stretch in a 26.6 second closing split to stop the clock in 1.51.2.
The Queensland-trained Aardie B Miki was successful later in the night in a heat of the Victoria Oaks when leading throughout for Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen.
Heavily supported to run a $1.65 favourite, the Queensland Oaks-winner now progresses to the Final this Saturday where a favourable barrier will give her every chance to make it a two state double.
THE WEEK AHEAD
A total of seven straight days of racing action in Queensland started at Marburg with a Monday meeting.
Albion Park will conduct nine races on Tuesday before Redcliffe will host nine on Wednesday and eight on Thursday alongside a Sunday night meeting.
Friday is a night meeting at 'The Creek' which precedes Saturday’s metropolitan fixture.
Interstate eyes will be focussed on Leap To Fame and Aardie B Miki who will both be chasing Group 1 glory at Melton.
