Catch up on the week's harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.
WAKE UP JEFF
Hi Manameisjeff prevailed in an epic stretch duel to take out the Sunshine Sprint and continue an interstate dominance on the Queensland feature.
Trained by Jason Grimson and driven by fellow New South Welshman Cameron Hart, the winning trophy has headed interstate in eight of the past 12 editions of the race.
Starting strongly from gate four, Hart sent Hi Manameisjeff straight to the front.
Frankie Ferocious held the back of the leader, Turn It Up momentarily faced the breeze before The Janitor moved up to the wheel of the leader.
After a 27.2 second opening panel, Hart pinched a second stanza breather, able to slow the field to a 29.9 second split, setting the scene for a last 800 metre showdown.
Running down the back in an eye-watering 26.3 seconds, anything back in the pack faced a forlorn task.
Straightening for the run to the judge, The Janitor was full of fight and loomed up to Hi Manameisjeff.
The pair fought all the way to the wire.
It was the NSW-trained and driven eight-year-old that held on to score.
The 26.1 second closing quarter producing a 1.49.3 rate and a second addition to the 1.50 club for the night.
The Janitor was enormous with his second placing with the margin just a head on the line.
The Grant Dixon-trained Aroda grabbed third place.
CHEERSTOLOU DOMINATES PEAK OF THE CREEK
Pacing sub 1.50 was once a frontier that appeared uncrossable at Albion Park.
However, the breed and the speed of the standardbred have improved that the sub 1.50 club now has 10 members, headlined by the track record holder Leap To Fame.
The unofficial club welcomed its newest member last Tuesday when the Donny Smith-trained Cheerstolou scorched the oval in 1.48.9.
That was in the last heat of the Peak of the Creek and was just 0.3 outside the track record.
As the quickest qualifier, connections were quick to lock in barrier one for the Saturday’s decider with the barriers chosen in order of qualifying times.
Leading comfortably in the Final, it was Reds Ablaze that held the back of Cheerstolou and stalked him in the run.
Reds Ablaze was hoping to out sprint the long odds-on favourite in the stretch.
Driver Layne Dwyer was able to run through the opening quarters in 27.8 and 28 seconds as Huxton was forced to do the work sitting parked.
Down the back in 27.1 and ripping home in 27.1 seconds, Cheerstolou added a second time to the esteemed club, stopping the clock in 1.49.9.
Cheerstolou joined Jimartee as the only pacers with two sub 1.50 wins at the track.
Layne Dwyer was able to repay the faith of connections.
He remains undefeated from three drives aboard the gelding and scoring the biggest win of his career to date.
SENSATIONAL VCITORY
Tremendous Sensation continues to live up to her name.
The four-year-old mare stretched her winning sequence to seven after being crowned the Queen of the Creek.
Trained by Trent Lethaby and driven by Taleah McMullen, the mare claimed a new personal best with the 1.50.8 victory in holding off a fast-finishing Sergios Rocket.
Showing the speed to cross to the front with ease, the opening quarter appeared in 27.9 seconds.
But, as the field swung into the home straight on the first occasion, Pete McMullen launched an early raid.
Partnering with Sweet Mia, Pete launched his mare and was able to find the front with one lap to travel.
That left Taleah left in the trail as Soap Opera was again left without cover.
With no respite to the speed, the second and third quarters appeared on the board in 27.9 and 27.6 seconds with Taleah having the options turning for home to angle to the inside or outside.
Angled to the outside, Tremendous Sensation had too much speed and reeled in the leader, narrowly holding on as Adam Sanderson and Sergios Rocket launched along the passing lane.
As they crossed the line, Taleah raised her whip to the skies, a nod to Ronny Knack who had passed away earlier in the week.
Tremendous Sensation will now be set for the Forever Gold, where another victory would see her crowned the unofficial number one mare in Queensland in training.
AJAY PRODUCES STELLAR PERFORMANCE
The Stellar Square on Saturday night appeared on paper to be a battle between Northern Heights and Ajay Volstead.
With ballot exemption to next week’s Group 1 The Great Square on offer to the winner, the race unfolded as expected with the two main hopes pulling well clear of their opponents.
Despite facing an awkward inside second line barrier, Angus Garrard was happy to hold his position three back with Ajay Volstead as Northern Heights worked to the lead for Pete McMullen.
With no runner prepared to lead the one-wide line, Garrard was able to drive patiently until approaching the 1000 metre point.
Angling to the outside, Ajay Volstead was trotting cleanly and comfortable, while Northern Heights had been pulling hard in the run.
Pulling clear of the remainder of the field, Ajay Volstead loomed up and had enough closing speed to win.
Holding on for second, Northern Heights should have done enough to also secure a The Great Square start next week.
THIS WEEK
The Grand Circuit champion for 2025 will be crowned this Saturday night when the Blacks A Fake is held at Albion Park, with Leap To Fame set to secure another title.
On a stacked card to bring the curtain down on The Starlights, Group 1 action for the trotters will feature The Great Square, while other features include the Group 3 Forever Gold, The Bill Dixon and the Group 3 Trotting Feature.
There will be a race meeting every day with a Redcliffe meeting on Monday night commencing the week, which will culminate with a Marburg fixture on Sunday afternoon.
Redcliffe will host Wednesday and Friday night meetings to complement the Monday fixture, with Albion Park hosting nine races on Tuesday and a Thursday afternoon meeting.
