Catch up on the week's harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.
TURPIN TRIFECTA
After securing her best season in all statistical columns last year, the Chantal Turpin stable has not slowed at all in 2025.
With 173 wins recorded last year at a strike rate of 24%, the stable has posted 43 wins this term, hitting the winners at 25%.
The stable have already produced the smart looking two-year-old Barsby for racetrack success this season.
On Tuesday at Albion Park, the team claimed a trifecta.
Wontyoustaywithme justified the $1.15 quote in claiming an effortless win over James Alfred, with Beachbabe Crocker claiming third.
The winner was driven by Pete McMullen, stopping the clock in a slick 1.54.8 rate at just her second race start.
Turpin took the reins on the second-placed James Alfred, while Tom Callaghan drove third-placed Beachbabe Crocker.
The winner is raced by Somerset Farms in partnership with Turpin's mother Karen.
Wontyoustaywithme took the bragging rights at home with the second-placed James Alfred bred and raced by Tony Turpin, Chantal's father.
'HUSS' BOWS OUT
Evergreen veteran Northview Hustler ran his last race on Saturday night at 'The Creek' with time called on his distinguished career.
Huss is the epitome of equine hardiness.
He faced the starter on 213 occasions throughout his career, claiming 32 victories, which included the 2019 Flashing Red Handicap in track record time at his first Queensland appearance and banked over $530,000.
Spending time in four different Queensland stables, the majority of those were for part-owner Al Barnes.
Northview Hustler was sent out on 128 times under Barnes' care.
At Albion Park alone, Northview Hustler won more than $360,000 from 22 wins and 40 placings, taking a lifetime best mark of 1.50.6.
Proving his toughness, that win came on December 30 of 2023.
It was his sixth run in the month and had followed an Inter Dominion campaign where he contested the consolation after finishing down the line through each of the three heats.
Adam Richardson had a special bond with the gelding.
Richardson partnered him in 29 race starts that realised 11 wins and five placings.
Hayden Barnes was in the bike for 10 wins and 27 placings.
It was an emotional occasion for part-owner, Al Barnes.
Al Barnes took the reins on the son of Bettors Delight in his last race appearance on Saturday night.
The swansong also served as a double retirement with Al Barnes also hanging up the silks and helmet.
THE PATH IS LINED IN GOLD
Grant Dixon added more feature race success at Melton on Friday night when Path To Greatness claimed a dictating victory at Melton.
Taking three horses south to Victoria for the Nutrien Sales Classic Finals, it was three-year-old gelding Path To Greatness that took another step in his career which up until now has been overshadowed by his stablemate Fate Awaits.
Slower to develop, Path To Greatness has always shown the potential and stepped up a notch when finishing runner-up in the New South Wales Derby in March.
Returning home for the Nutrien heat, Path To Greatness again had to play second-fiddle to Fate Awaits when finishing second.
However, fortunes were on his side with his Group 1-winning stablemate unable to make the trip south and as the runner-up, the position in the Final was granted to Path To Greatness.
Drawing ideally in gate one, Dixon made the most of the advantage to kick through and hold the lead in the early stages as the Emma Stewart-trained Storms Collide applied strong pressure in a fast lead time of 44.6 seconds.
With one lap to travel, it was another Stewart runner, The Highlight Reel, who moved around the field to get outside the leader and continued to apply the pressure.
However, Path To Greatness was able to dig deep and fight off the challengers.
The Geoff Webster-trained Seathestars charged along the passing lane to get within a neck of the winner.
Unplaced just once in 11 lifetime starts, the gelding now has five wins and five placings.
JAZIAH RECLAIMS WINNING FORM
Mare Jaziah overcame a winning drought when successful at Redcliffe last Monday in the opening race of the night.
Taking her record to nine wins and 26 minors from 81 attempts, the daughter of Alta Christiano claimed her first victory since October of 2023.
Owned and bred by Dr Pat and Rhonda Aldons, Rhonda also trains the mare.
Jaziah is her only horse in training.
Shut down in December of 2023 at the end of her five-year-old term, Jaziah’s next start was not until October of 2024.
She started just once before again heading to the paddock.
With an operation required on a leg injury during the 2024 season, the first-up win overcoming gate six was an astute training performance by Rhonda, who may have also secured a record.
Rhonda will celebrate her 80th birthday later this year and is currently the oldest female trainer to prepare a winner this season in Queensland.
That could well be an all-time Queensland record but that data is hard to confirm.
THIS WEEK
The week will start with a jam-packed trial day at Albion Park on Monday, with 13 trials on the docket.
With no racing on Friday, there will be five meetings for the week in Queensland - two each from Albion Park and Redcliffe - with Marburg hosting the Goldstrike Final on Easter Sunday.
Continuing to grow year-on-year, the $35,000 Final will comprise of the first two placed runners from each of the five heats.
Complementing the Goldstrike Final will be the QSTA Trotters Easter Cup, which is a discretionary handicap event for the square gaiters.
