Look ahead to this weekend's harness racing action in our weekly preview, thanks to Darren Clayton.
Queensland trainers will be in action across the eastern seaboard over the weekend chasing feature race success.
Leap To Fame starts his quest for a $1 million bonus as part of the Victorian Summer Of Glory carnival.
He tackles just four opponents in the Shepparton Gold Cup.
There will be a big Queensland presence in action on Friday night at Tamworth in heats of the Golden Guitar.
Jack Butler, Graham Dwyer, Bryse McElhinney and Ryan Veivers have all made the trip to the country music capital, chasing a spot in next Friday’s $50,000 Final.
GET ON
Saturday night in race six at Albion Park - Sweet Addition.
A return to mare’s company from the good gate looks the catalyst for the five-year-old to return to winning form.
DAWSON GETS THE CALL UP
With six wins from seven Albion Park appearances, the Donny Smith-trained Cheerstolou will be partnered by a different driver for the first time since arriving in Queensland.
A recent suspension to Layne Dwyer has opened the door for Nathan Dawson to take the reins aboard the speed machine.
Dwyer has partnered with Cheerstolou in all seven starts for Smith.
Dwyer's drives include victory in the Peak Of The Creek where the gelding created history as the first horse to ever produce successive wins at the track in sub 1.50.
Drawn gate five for the upcoming assignment, the gelding is likely to be sent forward to optimise his free running pattern.
Mydadsaid is an important early scratching with the gelding headed to the USA after a deal was brokered for his sale.
Alby Two Chains should appreciate an improved gate.
Alby Two Chains has drawn inside Cheerstolou and will be keen to find the pegs first for the potential trip behind the speed.
The Jack Butler stable was set to have a three-pronged attack in the race.
However, that has been reduced back to two following the withdrawal of Mydadsaid.
Butler’s starters will be District Attorney and Deus Ex.
District Attorney has produced consistent performances in recent starts.
District Attorney has placed in four of his past five and sectionally the times have suggest he is ready to win when the conditions match.
LTF CHASING ANOTHER MILLION
The 2026 feature race campaign begins for Leap To Fame in the Shepparton Gold Cup this Saturday night, with the Hall of Fame pacer chasing more than the $50,000 on offer this week.
A $1 million bonus is on offer for any horse that can win three country Cups and the A.G. Hunter Cup, with Shepparton the first target for the Grant Dixon-trained champion.
The Shepparton Cup has attracted just five acceptors.
The race is headlined by Leap To Fame, who will start from barrier three, with the main danger his New Zealand Cup conqueror Kingman, who will start from the inside gate.
It shapes as a two-horse tactical battle between Luke McCarthy and Grant Dixon, with the winner one step closer to the huge bonus.
JIMARTEE READY TO ROLL
Following two impressive runs back from a spell, the Cristina Monte-trained Jimartee will run from barrier one in this week’s open pace.
Drawn gate five in both return runs, the nine-year-old should appreciate starting from the inside gate this week where he can utilise his gate speed to find a prominent position.
Sectionally, the geldings' performances have been excellent.
He finished just a half-head from Tims A Trooper when resuming and second-up, he was making an impression over the closing stages chasing into third behind Leap To Fame.
Inter Dominion runner-up Speak The Truth will start from gate two.
The Shannon Price-trained gelding is lining up five weeks between runs and is stepping out for just the third time this campaign.
The seven-year-old was at the top of betting in early markets as he chases a 20th win at career start 50.
Im The Falcon provides the intrigue factor.
Im The Falcon is making his first appearance for the Chantal Turpin stable off the back of an impressive trial.
Im The Falcon has switched barns since his last appearance at Menangle back in August.
Previously prepared by Jason Grimson, the gelding boasts a 1.49.3 mile victory at Menangle.
Tims A Trooper and Captain Hammerhead will represent the Grant Dixon stable.
Both boast open class wins two starts back, with Jack Chapple booked for Tims A Trooper and Mathew Neilson to partner Captain Hammerhead.
