High profile New Zealand harness racing trainer / driver Mark Jones' Winter Carnival aspirations suffered a blow when high class mare Rocker Band went to join millionaire pacer Bling It On as a patient at Gatton University.
Trot enthusiast Chris Barsby explains what happened.
"After arriving last week and joining her stablemates Delightful Memphis and Kowhai Monarch, the Mark Jones trained mare was struck down by acute case of travel sickness and was rushed to Gatton for further treatment,'' Barsby said.
"She was very crook when she arrived and Scott Miller (host trainer) was rather concerned. After his vet checked her over, he recommended we send her to Gatton.''
"Since being there she has stabilised but we may have found another issue with an abscess in her back region and it may require an operation,'' Mark Jones said.
Rocker Band was being considered for a number of features in the coming weeks, open class events plus the $20,000 Fleur De Lil Ladyship Stakes on July 8.
The Rocknroll Hanover mare, a daughter of New Zealand Cup winner Mainland Banner, finished a luckless third in the Group 3 $31,800 Frith Stakes at TABCORP Park, Menangle on June 17.
The proven Group One winner is raced by Gold Coast businessman Greg Brodie, of Courage Under Fire fame and has enjoyed little luck on Australian soil this campaign.
"It's disappointing but her health is the most important thing because she is so valuable as a broodmare, she's a great race mare while her pedigree is as good as anything in this part of the world.
"I was looking at a number of features with her in Brisbane but the focus is getting her back to full health.
"I can't thank Scott enough for the effort he went to last week, he went above and beyond and basically saved her. I'm forever thankful to him for that." Jones said.
Female talent rises
EQUALITY of the sexes was hammered home last Saturday night with three female drivers taking out half of the 10 race program.
Doubles were enjoyed by Madi Dux and Trista Dixon with Isobel Ross scoring in the opening event.
What was an exclusively male world half a century ago has become the land of opportunity for the girls. We have come a long way from suffragette Emily Davison throwing herself to her death under the King's horse Anmer in the English Derby of 1913 in the quest for women's votes.
Welcome boost
ONE for the good news basket was the announcement that Racing Queensland (RQ) will enhance returns to racing industry participants in 2017/18 by increasing prize money.
RQ CEO Dr Eliot Forbes said commercial decisions made by the new RQ Board have led to better than forecast financial results allowing for the budget increase next year.
RQ has a strategic goal over the next three years to boost prize money in a sustainable manner and to continue to invest in significant infrastructure projects across all three codes, while working with clubs to improve attendance and commercial returns.
From a harness racing perspective, with a $505,000 slice of the pie, Redcliffe's Wednesday and Thursday programs will be increased with the eight race programs to consist of five races at $4450 and three races at $3450.
Additionally, an extra 2YO QBRED Breeders Series has been added, which will culminate with two $25,000 finals, one for colts and geldings and one for fillies and the QBRED win bonus scheme will be enhanced with 4YO's now eligible for a $2500 bonus for their first 4YO win (this is in addition to the existing $7500 on offer for eligible horses first 2YO win and 3YO win).
With the July program already published, there will be some additional money for that month, with the schedule above, kicking in from August 1.
Marburg reminder
DON'T forget that Marburg races next Saturday.
The Pick the card comp has jackpotted to $1100, there's a monster raffle, $100 gate entry betting voucher and a valuable piece of locally crafted jewellery will head the Funny Money auction after the last race.
Admission is $5 for adults, pensioners and students $3 and racebooks are $3.
Handy tips
SELECTIONS for Albion Park tonight.
R1: Quinella 1-4: Our Hi Jinx (A. Sanderson) and Major Cam (M Neilson).
R2: Quinella 1-12: Bettabe Perfect (P. McMullen) and Written In Red (P. Diebert).
R3: Quinella 2-4: A Good Chance (G. Whitaker) and Our Leonardo (K. Dawson).
R4: Box trifecta in four 3-4-11-12: Miss Irish Rose (B Graham)-Summertime Lizzie (A. Sanderson)- Bettor Than Special (M Neilson)-Joys A Babe (G. Dixon).
R5: Box trifecta in four 1-10-11-12: Hughie Green (J. Cremin)-Avonnova (A. Sanderson)-Spare Me Days (B. Hewitt)-Watch Pulp Fiction (C. Turpin).
R6: Quinella 8-15: The More The Better (M. Purdon) and Nui Noc Tien (L. McCarthy).
R7: Quinella 3-6: Leos Best (G Dixon) and Mattgregor (P. McMullen).
R8: Box trifecta2-5-6: Delightful Memphis (L McCarthy)-My Casino Belle (B Hewitt)-Takara Truffle (M Neilson).
R9: Quinella 11-12: Get In The Groove (G. Dixon) and Bacchus Raucous (T Moffat).
R10: Box trifecta in four 1-3-4-7: Senitas Success (A. Sanderson)-Kowhai Monarch (M. Jones)-Riene Des Gitans (P. McMullen)-Melpark Royal Son (J Cremin).
Honour board
From an overall training and driving perspective, some weeks are a feast and some weeks a famine across the greater Ipswich footprint. It looked like the latter last week with local trainers and drivers having input to one or both disciplines for no less than 25 winners spread across six meetings. The leader board, while containing no unfamiliar names, produced a change with Nathan Dawson logging six wins in the sulky with Pete McMullen close up on five. Chantal Turpin made sure that the Patrick Estate stable maintained its current form, leading in five winners for the week. Most pleasing were Steve Bunz with Change The Nation, and Rob Gorman for Trevor Lambourn scoring with Just Leave.
Albion Park, June 23: One Last Roll (Narissa McMullen for Mark Rees); Heavens Hint (Nathan Dawson for Stewie Dickson); Wicked Time (Adam Sanderson for Vicki Rasmussen); Shareapassion (Pete McMullenfor Chantal Turpin); Bull Market (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).
Albion Park, June 24: Annika Magic (Matt Elkins for Kerry Smith); Rory Mach (Darrell Graham); Miss Irish Rose (Adam Sanderson for Ian Gurney); Mattgregor (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).
Redcliffe, June 26: Magnussen (Lachie Manzelmann for Brittany Graham); Ima Sea Storm (Nathan Dawson for Graeme White); Change the Nation (Nathan Dawson for Steve Bunz); My Change Of Heart (Nathan Dawson for Ricky Gordon); Just Leave (Rob Gorman for Trevor Lambourn).
Albion Park, June 27: Northern Muscle (Denis Smith); Bettabe Perfect Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin); How We Roll (Gary Whitaker for Bill Crosby); I'm Born To Rule (Gary Whitaker for Kenny Rattray).
Redcliffe, June 28: Kalinda (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin); My Wingman (Nathan Dawson for Ricky Gordon); Corey William (Nathan Dawson for Peter Greig).
Redcliffe, June 29: Slippery Jade (Gary Whitaker for Bill Crosby); Doolittle Dandy (Leonard Cain for Ricky Hart); Bob Gage (Gary Whitaker for Ron Sallis); I'm Johnny Jet (Darrell Graham).
TROT TACTICS with Denis Smith