With all the excitement surrounding the recent QBRED Triad race night, it’s easy to forget about some of the stars who were missing - and there were quite a few names on that list.
There’s one name that stands above all others and, given what’s just around the corner, it’s timely that we take a deeper dive into this rising star.
Enter Ajay Volstead.
Most expected to see the gifted young trotter competing on August 16 at Albion Park but unfortunately a minor setback derailed those plans.
“It wasn’t anything major. He pulled up a little crook, so I simply didn’t want to run the risk and take any chances with him, I’ve got such a high opinion of this guy and given what’s coming up, I decided to play the long game,” trainer Darren Weeks said.
With major changes sweeping the carnivals in Queensland throughout 2025 and beyond, many of the major events have been reshuffled and placed in different timeslots.
The Inter Dominion is now at the heart of the Constellations while many of the traditional features staged during the winter period have been switched to a new-look and much beefier summer carnival.
The Grand Circuit feature, the Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship coupled with the likes of the Sunshine Sprint and the new but highly exciting Great Square now headline the summer program.
It’s the latter feature that has the attention of many, including Ajay Volstead.
The Great Square was introduced to the feature race calendar back in 2023 when the James Rattray-trained-and-driven London To A Brick defeated subsequent Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix in a thrilling contest.
Last year, Rockinwithattitude conquered London To A Brick while another subsequent Inter Dominion champion (The Locomotive) was amongst the vanquished that night.
The Group 1 $150,000 feature is designed for three-year-old and four-year-old trotters, a mobile start event staged over 2138m.
In short, the Great Square has quickly cemented itself as one of the premier trotting events on the calendar and connections throughout Australasia are keen to contest and ultimately, win the prized feature.
The Great Square is scheduled to run on December 6 this year.
Connections of many of the outstanding young trotters are starting to circle including Victorian star mares Keayang Zahara, Violet Stanford, Jilliby Ballerini and Maoris Mac plus the exciting Hoppy among others.
But Ajay Volstead will fly the flag for the local brigade.
“He’s very fast and obviously he’s got a bright future. We’re very much looking forward to the Great Square because it’s been the target race all the way along. We could’ve pushed for a start in the Triad feature but ultimately, we weren’t going to start him half right,” Weeks said.
“Obviously it’s going to be a deep race, most of the top trotters are headed this way but we think Vinny (stable name) will more than hold his own. We’re excited by the challenge, and it would be great to be the first Queenslander to win the event.
“He’s got all the attributes to be a good trotter, and the Great Square is hopefully the first major stepping stone moving forward. We’ve got the Inter Dominion for the next two years and this is part of bigger picture; we aim to be competing in these features.”
Ajay Volstead was purchased via the 2022 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sale staged on the Gold Coast, listed as Lot 91, the Volstead – Sweet Pretense bay colt was knocked down at a cost of $95,000.
He ranks as a half-brother to the richly talented Victree Hill (14 wins, $182,000).
Bred by renowned Darling Downs-based breeders Lindsay and Mary Vagg, the colt was purchased by Kylie Rasmussen, Gayle Garrard and Darren Wilson.
“He was a standout colt and naturally he had a lot of eyes on him, but we were determined to get him that day. Yes, he was expensive but as it stands, he’s worth the money we outlaid, and hopefully the best is still to come,” Weeks said.
“Kylie broke him in and did all the early educational work with him, and he was a natural from the start. We’ve been patient with him all the way through, but his speed was his best asset.
“We never raced him as a two-year-old. We gave him time to grow and mature knowing he would repay the faith we showed in him. He’s a lovely colt and doesn’t look at the girls, he likes to act cranky, but it’s all a front.”
Ajay Volstead made his highly anticipated debut at Albion Park on March 22 and, starting as a heavy favourite, he scored comfortably in a time of 2:04.6 for the 2138m mobile start event.
Behind the tapes for his second start and taking on older rivals 10 days later, Ajay Volstead finished a brilliant third after making an early break and losing valuable ground at the start.
A trip to Sydney beckoned for the Foundation series plus the New South Wales Derby and Ajay Volstead thrived during his maiden trip away.
Ajay Volstead recorded back-to-back victories at Menangle before finishing fifth in the Group 1 NSW Derby behind the then unbeaten Keayang Zahara before returning home.
He finished as the runner-up in both starts at Albion Park before being shelved for the remainder of the season.
Returning this year as a four-year-old, Ajay Volstead has won three of his six starts including a 4YO Mobile mile Albion Park class record of 1:55.8
In 13 career starts to date, Ajay Volstead has won six times while banking more than $40,000.
Regular driver Angus Garrard believes he can take the next step.
“With speed like he possesses, he can go all the way to open class, he’s the most talented trotter I’ve driven, and I very much look forward to driving him at every opportunity,” he said.
Upon reflection, it’s easy to understand why connections are bullish about the future with Ajay Volstead.
Connections planned big from the start and were always looking at the big picture - and with good reason.
Exciting times ahead.
