Top trio on display in Queensland
trio of western Victorian-owned and trained standardbreds took on the best of the best in the final night of the Queensland TAB Constellations Carnival at Albion Park on Saturday.
And although Bondi Lockdown, Kowalski Analysis and Pink Galahs never made it to the winners circle, their performances could only be admired.
Bondi Lockdown didn’t have enough speed out of the gate to take advantage of his pole draw and settled three back the pegs off the leader Lamandier – Amanda Turnbull.
When that horse handed up to well-fancied New Zealander American Dealer – Anthony Butt – Dunn’s charge was four back and by the time the $2.20 favourite Krug – Blair Orange – had made a quick forward move, ‘Bondi’ was well and truly locked down and dragged back to second last with 700 metres to go.
When finally finding clean air, the birds had well and truly flown and despite making ground three and four wide with a 56.43 half and 27.28 quarter, the runner came in fifth 10.4 metres behind American Dealer with Captain Crusader – Luke Mccarthy – third.
Kowalski Analysis
Kowalski Analysis – Matty Craven – went down by a half-head in a $30,000 Group Three contest, after starting from out wide on the second line over the 1660-metre sprint.
Working forward three-wide early, up to the spot outside the leader, Kowalski Analysis found cover at the bell when $2.80 favourite Ilikemebettor – Luke Mccarthy – assumed that role but an expected tow-into-the-race never eventuated, and Craven was forced to come three wide off the speed with 400 metres to run.
With a rattling half in 54.68 seconds and scorching quarter in 26.71, Kowalski Analysis got close but not quite close enough to Uncle Shank – Pete Mcmullan – which had enjoyed the run of the race throughout.
Pink Galahs
Pink Galahs – Matty Craven – was beaten but far from disgraced when finishing third to Tough Monarch – Anthony Butt – and Humble Ladd – Luke Mccarthy – in the $50,000 Queensland Trotters Cup.
While most were hoping to see the famous Maoris Idol silks again to the fore, a tough draw over 2138 metres against the likes of Group One star Tough Monarch, 28 wins, $476,184, proved a bridge too far on the night.
The small girl with a huge heart has raced on seven consecutive Saturday nights with a 1900-kilometre road trip north from Terang sandwiched between.
Respected Sky Channel and TAB analysist Adam Hamilton best summed it up: “The darling of Aussie trotting added so much excitement and flair to the winter carnival. Her sparkling brilliance through wins in two heats and the final of the Darrell Alexander series was something special.”
We wish Dunn and Craven safe passage home with their teams and look forward to seeing their equine stars back on the track come springtime.