Miss Glamorganvale 2015, Narissa McMullen, has achieved another high point, winning a half share in the harness racing Leigh Plunkett Foundation Scholarship.
A panel of nine decided that a deadheat was the correct result for the efforts of McMullen and NSW candidate Robbie Morris.
The Plunkett Foundation was formed by Harness Racing Australia and all other state control bodies, to provide support for participants in harness racing if they become ill or unable to work.
The scholarship (in this case two serves of $10,000 apiece) also assists with career development in the junior ranks.
McMullen was honoured to receive the award and is still deciding which country to travel to.
"At this stage, I am tossing up between the US and New Zealand,'' she said.
"Ideally, I would like to stay with a leading trainer and learn some techniques to help my future endeavours.''
Experience search
NATHAN Purdon, a son of New Zealand's super trainer Mark Purdon has joined the stable of Ian Gurney.
Having landed eight winners from 60 drives, Purdon is looking to extend his experience as a driver.
His first outings in the sulky were three trial drives for Jack Butler, one of which Sammys A Kriden scored a runaway victory in 1-59.6 for 2138 metres with a last half in 56.4.
Purdon joins former Wagga lad Paul Diebert striving to get drives in a large pool of concession or junior reins persons.
The above pool contains the likes of Hayden Barnes, currently fourth on the concession drivers' table with 46 wins and 53 placings from 253 drives.
Barnes will partner in-form pacer Bettor Draw tonight.
Equal track record holder at 2138 metres, with a mile rate of 1-54.0, the seven year old gelding has managed nine placings from 10 starts for trainer/driver Narissa McMullen.
Best overall effort has been a rate of 1-51.9 at Menangle NSW three starts back. Barnes is currently employed at the Turpin McMullen "winner factory'' at Patrick Estate Lowood.
End of an era
THURSDAY at Redcliffe saw the beginning of the end of an era.
Go Gretel (Grant Dixon) is the last foal of the Queensland based super sire Fake Left.
Fittingly bred an owned by Kevin and Kay Seymour's Solid Earth Pty Ltd form the top line mare, Girl In A Million, Go Gretel got home by 14.4 metres in a rate of 2-02.4.
On that performance, Go Gretel will be around for a while and should see more of the winners' circle.
The Kevin and Kay Seymour Goldrush Series for lower grade pacers has returned to the Friday meetings at Albion Park.
With restricted class prize money ($3000) in the heats and a $12,000 country penalty final, the series is seen as a means of providing higher money for those pacers that cannot hack the pressure of the Seymour Rising Stars Championship.
As has been the case for several seasons now, there appears to be little real benefit to the hobbyist/ battler in this initiative.
Marburg meetings
AFTER a successful Easter Sunday Fun Day, Marburg next races on Saturday, May 2.
The feature of the meeting will be the first two rounds of the Marburg Junior Drivers Invitation.
Due to the placement of meetings on the Marburg calendar the final rounds will be on Saturday, June 20, which is Ipswich City Councillors Charity Day.
The 10 councillors will be sponsoring the meeting and donating to Ipswich Hospital Foundation, which the Marburg Pacing Association is proud to welcome as co-hosts on the big day.
Put the two meetings in the black book.
Honour board
THE McMullen family dominated the leader board this week. Chantal Turpin was leading trainer on three wins while brother and sister Pete and Narissa McMullen ended the week locked together on five winning drives apiece.
Albion Park, April 10: Five Star Trump (Kay Crone for Gavin Crone); Feel The Courage (Pete for Chantal Turpin); Millwood Chloe (Narissa for John McMullen); Don Boston (Adam Sanderson for Mick Grant).
Albion Park, April 11: Lisesofine (C Petroff for Rachel Scott); Timeseel (Danielle McMullen for Vicki Rasmussen); Corey Odonohue (Narissa for Ron Sallis); Courageous Kiwi (Pete for Chantal Turpin); Goldstar Invasion Adam Sanderson for Vicki Rasmussen).
Albion Park, April 14: Captain Turbulence (Danielle McMullen for Ryan Veivers); Horace Foxley (Nathan Dawson for Peter Greig); Village Villain (Amy Rees for Eric Charlwood); Lady White Water (Gary Whitaker for Bill Crosby); Paint The Hammer (Pete for Chantal Turpin).
Redcliffe, April 15: Left In Command (Lynn Paton for Steve Benham); Noel Hamric (Matt Elkins for Greg Elkins); Strike Power (Danielle McMullen for Dave Millard); Crackerofarainbow (Hayden Barnes for Gary Greard); Elz Boy (Gary Whitaker for Steve Towns).
Redcliffe, April 16: Imthe Golden Girl (Brad Cowen for Meagan Armour); Onajoyride (Narissa for John McMullen); R Eleven Seven (Pete for Daren Garrard); LeBron (Pete for Brian McCall); Dream Chapel (Narissa for Ron Sallis); All About Art (Narissa for Steven Cini); Billy Badlands (Gary Whitaker for Kerry Smith).
By QT trotting columnist Denis Smith