Look ahead to this weekend's harness racing action in our weekly preview, thanks to Darren Clayton.
The second metropolitan meeting of the new year in Queensland on Saturday night boasts some strong races.
Looking south, the first leg of the Victorian Country Cups $1 million bonus series commences on Saturday with the Bendigo Cup and although no Queensland-trained horses will line up, there are Albion Park feature winners running up on the night.
Last start Sunshine Sprint winner Hi Manameisjeff tackles the Bendigo Pacing Cup, while the Group 1 Māori Mile will feature the last two winners of The Great Square, Keayang Zahara and Rockinwithattitude.
GET ON
The Vicar Of Dibley on Saturday night at Albion Park.
The Vicar Of Dibley finds perfect conditions following a sectionally superb performance last week where she chased home Hot And Treacherous.
The Vicar Of Dibley's own last 800 metres was recorded in 53.86 seconds.
AJAY TO BOUNCE BACK
Ajay Volstead could not match it with Keayang Zahara in The Great Square.
It will remain a great unknown after the Darren Weeks-trained four-year-old made an error soon after the start.
Sectionally the performance was huge.
Ajay Volstead's performance included the quickest individual last mile recorded in 1.54.01 as the entire still managed to finish in sixth position after the mistake.
With over three weeks between runs, Ajay Volstead was beaten in midweek company to end his season with the first appearance for 2026 coming in race four this Saturday night.
Handicapped off the front line under the conditions, the now five-year-old will look to continue the trend that has seen him produce victory in his first appearance in each of the past two racing seasons.
Seasoned free for all performer and Inter Dominion runner Love Gun will provide a stern test.
The Grant Dixon-trained gelding has been a runner-up at his past two starts.
Get Used To It will accompany Love Gun as the two runners off the 20-metre handicap.
The stablemate to Ajay Volstead is chasing a third successive victory.
Both of those wins have been under mobile start conditions, with the six-year-old racing in consistent form since September.
The only unplaced effort from his past 10 starts was a fourth place in the track record win of Not As Promised.
ALWAYS DANCING TO PRODUCE THE MOVES
A last start feature race winner at Globe Derby, the Alyce Finnis-trained Always Dancing will need some favours from inside the second line if he is to make his first start in Queensland a winning one.
Scratched last week, the four-year-old will face an inside second line draw as he looks to extend his winning record, which currently shows 14 wins from just 24 career starts.
Drawn to follow smart beginner Kash Tin, there are several speedy beginners drawn wider off the front, including Real Tin Tin, Tinder Surprise and Im Boo.
Tinder Surprise is knocking on the door to win in this grade.
However, gate six certainly makes his task difficult for trainer and driver Narissa Elkins with Tinder Surprise.
Placed in three of four starts at Albion Park since joining the Elkins stable, the nine-year-old last tasted success in April of 2023.
Kash Tin looks hard to beat for Gemma Hewitt and Brendan Barnes.
The gelding is set to start from gate one which will provide Barnes with options to kick through early or look for cover.
If looking to lead, Always Dancing will stalk the speed and be ready to provide the Finnis team with their first metropolitan victory since relocating.
JUNIOR FREE FOR ALL WELL RECEIVED
A recent programming change has introduced a Junior Free For All race on Saturday night fixtures and this week’s is a strong contest.
The in-form Call To Order draws to be prominent from gate two.
The Grant Dixon-trained gelding missed a hat-tick of victories last week when finishing third behind Hot And Treacherous.
Settling back in the field in that contest from a second line gate, this week the five-year-old will benefit from an improved draw and the rise in distance to 2138 metres.
Matt Elkins will bring a two-pronged attack to the race with Tiger Band Wagon and Alby Two Chains lining up from gates four and 10, respectively.
Tiger Band Wagon is chasing three wins in succession following a pair of wins in midweek company, while Alby Two Chains has placed in three successive appearances following a 1.50.6 victory in late November.
Bronski Zulu will start from barrier three.
The Donny Smith-trained five-year-old won over this trip last week when leading throughout in a smart 1.53.6 rate.
District Attorney for trainer Jack Butler produced a 53.79 second last 800 metre split last week.
However, the stallion faces a tricky inside second line gate.
