Rejuvenated seven-year-old Releven Dream put himself squarely into contention for Queensland's Group 1 DJ Alexander Memorial Trotting Championship with a record breaking victory in today’s 2647 metre Trot handicap at the harness racing meeting at Albion Park.
The Daren Garrard trained gelding kept its Albion Park record perfect with a stunning and faultless display to cruise home by 21 metres.
From a 10 metre handicap Releven Dream stepped into second spot but driver Matt Neilson wasted little time in taking the short-priced favourite to the front.
He trotted faultlessly going through the second quarter of the last mile in 28.7 with Neilson holding him back to the field until he reached the half mile pole.
Then he let Releven Dream slide and he put a space of more than 30 metres between him and his nearest rival.
Releven Dream went to the post under his own steam and cruised home by 21 metres from Morning Fawlty in a mile rate of 2.00.8 taking .1 second off a six year old track record held by Tony Turpin’s Hi Jinks.
The victory puts Releven Dream into the $50,000 DJA (2647m) and his inclusion will added plenty of interest to the race.
Under the standing start handicap conditions without any further wins he will start from scratch with the first round of heats scheduled at Albion Park on 2 October.
The second round will take place a week later with the Final on 17 October at Albion Park.
Releven Dream, a well-travelled former New Zealander, has now raced twice at Albion Park winning both times and took its career tally to five wins from 32 starts.
Each of Releven Dream’s victories have been from a standing start on tracks in NZ and Brisbane making him an ideal DJA candidate.
The son of Dream Vacation was imported to Australia in late 2013 and spent 2014 in New South Wales before making its Queensland debut this month after an 18 month absence from the racetrack with a 32 metre success.
In the DJA heats Releven Dream will be put to the sword with Queensland's current in form trotters Our Overanova, Goldstar Invasion, Sharons Millicent and former Victoria's Redwood Classic winner Daenerys Targaryen and promising trotter Drunken Maniac certain to be among the nominations.
Dave Aldred