Queensland’s cult pacer Destreos will be paired with a new driver for his record-equaling 400th race start at Redcliffe Paceway on Saturday night, as the experienced harness racing driver Shane Graham takes the reins in place of the injured Kelli Dawson.
After 224 races paired with the 12-year-old gelding, including his last 34 starts, Dawson will be unable to take her customary place in the sulky this weekend after sustaining a fractured tailbone and rib injuries in a bad fall at Redcliffe last Wednesday.
Enter Queensland’s leading driver Shane Graham as the white knight ahead of Destreos’ milestone 400th start.
However, in shades of the famous racing story about the relationship between the great Seabiscuit and his regular jockey Red Pollard, Dawson has sets her sights on pushing through the pain barrier to make a fairytale comeback for Destreos’ record-breaking 401st start at Albion Park on Saturday, April 9.
“I was hopeful of driving this week but I think that might have been pushing it a bit,’’ admitted Dawson.
“I’m thinking I’ll be ok for next week. I won’t do much until then.
“The pain is bearable, it’s just a constant pain but I’m sure I could put up with it for five minutes.
“It’s a great achievement for the horse and it’s a shame I can’t be there this week but I’m sure Shane will look after him pretty well.
“Shane probably knows him nearly as well as we do just by watching him every week over the years.
“He’s pretty easy to drive, he has a few quirks but for I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Destreos will equal the previous mark set by former North Queensland pacer Cane Smoke of 400 starts on Saturday night, before creating a new national record on Saturday, April 9 at Albion Park.
Destreos – the story of a 12-year-old marvel
Trainer Ken Rattray said it was an easy decision to partner Graham with his stable favourite.
“Shane was available and he’s one of the best drivers going around so you’ve got to go with the most experienced guy,” said Rattray.
“I really feel for Kelli, it’s really upset her but she’ll bounce back.
“I said to Shane if she’s ready next week, she’ll be back, but if he has to drive Destreos, he is available.”
Destreos fine-tuned for his landmark 400th start with a slick trial at Albion Park on Tuesday.
“He trialled well on Tuesday, a lot better than the week before,” said Rattray.
“I’m really, really happy with the way he trialled, he went a tick over 1 minute 54 seconds and driver Hayden Barnes said he was just jogging.
“He ran home his last half mile in 54.8 second which is pretty good time.
“He pulled up well and ate up afterwards, so all is on track, we’ve just got to get there on Saturday night now.”
To mark the significant milestone, the Redcliffe Paceway will make a special presentation to Rattray and owner Sally Stingel at the conclusion of the race.
With free entry to the track on Saturday night, Redcliffe Paceway President Bernie Ring is encouraging as many people as possible to share in this special milestone.
The first race is at 5:05pm, with the “Congratulations Destreos 400th Start Open Pace” to run at 8:37pm (Race 8).
It will be a big weekend overall for the Redcliffe Paceway, with the club to also host its annual Redcliffe Yearling Sale on Sunday, April 3, where 98 lots will go under the hammer.
The full field for Saturday night’s race is listed below:
Race 8
C7 Or Better. NDC. NMC. Career & Band Penalty event open to all pacers. (Band 1 = Q5+, Band 2 = Q4, Band 3 = Q3, Band 4 = Q2, Band 5 = Q1). RBD. Prizemoney: $13,000
1780 METRES
Form Horse
1 12546 FUNNY BOY NZ K L Rattray Hayden Barnes (C) FR1
2 06310 IM BORN TO RULE NZ K L Rattray Paul Diebert (C) FR2
3 18521 STORMFORTHEBOYS V L Rasmussen Adam Sanderson FR3
4 26422 LEBRON B R McCall Pete McMullen FR4
5 89959 THE DIP NZ K L Rattray Nathan Dawson (C) FR5
6 12113 DESTREOS NZ K L Rattray Shane Graham FR6
———- Second Row ———-
7 27040 FRANCO BULGARI P Matis Paul Matis SR1
Destreos’ career statistics are listed below:
DESTREOS |
|
Foal Date: |
14-Nov-03 |
Colour/Sex: |
Bay Gelding |
Sire: |
Astreos |
Dam: |
Melvins Speed |
Owner: |
Sally Stingel |
Trainer: |
Ken Rattray |
LIFETIME RECORD |
|
Starts: |
399 |
Wins: |
89 |
Seconds: |
65 |
Thirds: |
59 |
Prizemoney: |
$729,686 |
THIS SEASON |
|
Starts: |
22 |
Wins: |
8 |
Seconds: |
6 |
Third: |
3 |
Prizemoney: |
$66,937 |
Total starts per Track: |
|
Track |
Total |
ALBION PARK |
297 |
GOLD COAST |
17 |
REDCLIFFE |
16 |
NSWHRC |
10 |
TABCORP PK MENANGLE |
6 |
BATHURST |
1 |
DUBBO |
1 |
NEWCASTLE |
1 |
Grand Total |
349 |
Total wins per Track: |
|
Track |
Total |
ALBION PARK |
68 |
GOLD COAST |
6 |
NSWHRC |
4 |
REDCLIFFE |
4 |
Grand Total |
82 |
Total drives by individual Drivers: |
|
Driver |
Total |
Kelli Dawson |
224 |
Scott Kunde |
64 |
Darrel Graham |
23 |
Ken Rattray |
19 |
Bruce Birch |
9 |
Ray Law |
4 |
Ricky Thurlow |
3 |
Mathew Neilson |
1 |
Shane Graham |
1 |
Simon Jones |
1 |
Grand Total |
349 |
Total wins by individual Drivers: |
|
Kelli Dawson |
52 |
Scott Kunde |
20 |
Ken Rattray |
6 |
Bruce Birch |
3 |
Darrel Graham |
1 |
(82 total Australian wins) |
82 |
Adam Gardini