Leading Brisbane harness racing trainer Darrel Graham is hoping the feature race success continues.
Fresh from his success last week with Mafuta Vautin in the $25,000 QBRED Breeders Classic Final for 4yo Entires and Geldings at Albion Park, Graham is now eyeing off the Easter Gift.
The $16,000 event is programmed for the C2/C5 pacers and has attracted a strong field but Graham has a pair of former Kiwi pacers that look well placed.
Graham has last start winners Chattanoogachoochoo and Five Card Draw lining-up in the 2138m feature but both have drawn the second-line.
“I’m really happy with both horses and this race looks ideal to kick start their latest campaigns.
Obviously the barrier draws could’ve been better but I’m confident both horses will perform at the required level.” Graham said.
Chattanoogachoochoo is the most recent addition to his Fernvale stables after being purchased following his victory at Rangiora on February 26.
The Christian Cullen gelding was placed in 1:52.7 at Ashburton two starts ago after coming from a long way back.
Since arriving in Brisbane, Chattanoogachoochoo was struck down by a virus which forced his scratching from the recent Gr.2 $50,000 Silks Restaurant Cup series but a sharp trial earlier this week proved he was back on track.
Chattanoogachoochoo won the 1660m trial defeating open class performer Terror Time in a time of 1;56.2 coming off the speed.
“It was a nice trial, we got an easy run just off the pace and he finished really well once he got clear while running good sectionals."
"It was just a quiet trial in lead-up to this assignment this weekend."
“The virus wasn’t bad but I wasn’t going to take any risks with him so that’s why we pulled him out of that series a few weeks ago, the winter carnival is fast approaching and there’s plenty of good money races available so it was the best decision to make."
“I think he’s a nice horse with good speed so we’re hoping he can measure up around carnival time, this race looks an ideal starting point for him and I’m happy with the way he’s come through the trial.”
Last start Gr.3 $45,000 4yo Championship winner Five Card Draw is resuming since July last year but following a spate of recent trials, the former New Zealand 2yo of the Year appears ready.
The Bettors Delight gelding is carrying extra condition but Graham is confident he will perform well fresh.
“We decided to give him a good break at the end of his last campaign, he’s done a super job and we gave him a couple of months off, he spent his time at Dean’s (Shannon – owner) property at Maleny."
“We’re looking at the winter carnival with this guy as well, we know he’s up to that level and we’ll head that way in the coming months."
He’s had a few trials in recent weeks and his most recent on Tuesday night was pleasing when second behind Epaulette."
“They went solid time in the trial and he chased strongly, he had a good blow after and has trained on well since."
"Whatever he does this weekend, he will improve considerably which is what we want.”
Graham will partner Chattanoogachoochoo while in-form reinsman Adam Sanderson will take the lines behind Five Card Draw.
Both pacers are raced by Dean Shannon.
Chris Barsby – Racing Queensland