Catch up on the week's harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.
'THE POSTMAN' ON A HEATER
With Pete McMullen campaigning in Sydney, Nathan Dawson took full opportunity and landed four winners at two Albion Park meetings.
On Thursday, Dawson placed in the first two races of the day before winning the next four races in succession.
The winners were posted for three different trainers.
Ben Battle and John Stariha each secured wins with Marranzano and Deep Regret, respectively.
Mitchell Dawson landed a training double with Borsellino and Bigger The Bettor both driven to victory by his brother.
He also drove five winners just a fortnight back.
Dawson, who is known as 'The Postman', had the hot hand again on Saturday.
He landed a quartet of winners, including the opening three races on the card, providing an upset victory in two of those.
In the opening race, Dawson made the most of the gate speed of In Excess to spear off the arm to find the front and keep the tempo upbeat throughout to make the race favourite, Darin, work hard in the breeze.
The 1.51.6 winning rate was a career-best performance for the Darrel Graham-trained four-year-old.
Dawson was driving the race favourite Our Sunset Delight for trainer Chris Frisby in the second event.
A mid-race move to take control with 1400 metres to travel proved the difference.
Major Hot was a long odds-on favourite in the third race of the night.
However, the four-year-old missed the placings after working hard in the run.
Taking the reins behind the $12 elect Master Charles, Dawson had the gelding positioned three back along the inside before weaving a passage in the home stretch to arrive in the last stride.
The barest possible margin was declared by the judge over the second-placed Royal Speech.
Dawson delivered the quartet with victory in the fifth of the night when sweeping home to victory aboard the Shawn Grimsey-trained Sweet Hayley Jane.
The mare is a recent addition for the Grimsey stable and was having just her first appearance since joining the barn.
'The Postman' has established a 15-win lead over Pete McMullen in the state premiership.
He has taken his tally to 171 for the term.
He also bridged the gap to 10 wins in the metropolitan premiership which McMullen leads with 56 victories.
NOT THE NIGHT FOR QUEENSLAND
With large representation across the night at Menangle on Saturday, the Queensland trainers left without any silverware.
In The Stockade, Queensland had a three-pronged attack with the Steven Cini-trained Luvareschs finishing in fourth position, Attachment in fifth spot for Chantal Turpin and the Grant Dixon-trained Charge Ahead finishing at the rear.
The Len Smith Mile was run at a frenetic tempo.
The winner Cya Art broke the race record, which was held by Smoken Up, that had stood 14 years.
The Janitor produced a mammoth run in defeat after breaking gait soon after the start and finished in eight position.
Sure Thing Captain trailed the field home with the five-year-old having an unsettled week in preparation for the race.
With three runners tackling The Eureka from the Grant Dixon stable, not much went in the favour for the trio of Queenslanders as Bay Of Biscay was able to fight off the challengers once finding the front.
Not beaten far behind the Emma Stewart-trained winner, Path To Greatness, Call To Order and Fate Awaits, finished in seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.
DWYER BREAKS DROUGHT
Content to offer the driving opportunities to his son Layne and other full-time reinsman, Graham Dwyer will still sit behind one when needed.
Last Tuesday at 'The Creek', with son Layne enjoying a few days holiday, Graham squeezed into the driving pants to partner Koda Da Moda.
Preparing three runners for the trotting event, Gary Whitaker was booked for Te Rapa and Nathan Dawson had the seat behind Eurokash.
Safely away when the tapes flew, Dwyer had the mare in a good position behind the leader Son Of A Sun.
With the leader rolling up the track approaching the 400 metre point, Dwyer shot through along the inside to find the front and soon went to work to establish a break.
Able to gain a gap on the chasing pack, Koda Da Moda responded and Dwyer was able to find his first driving win in 1,220 days.
It was his first win since the victory of Luxury Lad in May of 2022 at Marburg.
Along with the momentous driving success, Dwyer also trained the trifecta with Te Rapa finishing second and Eurokash running on for third.
THIS WEEK
There will be plenty of focus on Albion Park this week as the Redcliffe track will be resurfaced following their Wednesday night meeting.
A total of five meetings will be held at 'The Creek' this week, starting with a Monday night meeting, followed by Thursday afternoon and Friday night fixtures.
The Pink Ribbon Cup will be celebrated on Saturday night with a special mare’s event to coincide with the annual initiative.
Marburg will round out the week with a Sunday afternoon fixture.
The Marburg club have recently announced the upcoming Harriott Memorial Day will be an all-trotters meeting.
