The high-speed Trot Rods format is in the rearview mirror and now the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club will shift up a gear in preparation for the Redcliffe Cup on June 20.
Hold Onto Ya Bling secured his second Trot Rods triumph on Wednesday night, reproducing his 2024 victory with a barnstorming finish in the final heat of the series.
Once the presentation was completed, the focus immediately shifted to June 20, with the club buoyed by the quality of horses that are currently being mentioned as Cup contenders.
Marking the official start of the Queensland Constellations, Redcliffe President Mark McNee believes a slight tweak to the schedule in 2026 will prove beneficial.
“Last year the Cup was the week before the first round of the Inter Dominion heats, but this year there is a two-week gap and that should be a benefit for the field depth,” McNee said.
“That should allow a solid lead up for the Inter horses and some others that have suggested they will be heading our way.”
One trainer that has indicated that the Redcliffe Cup is a key target is astute trainer Jason Grimson.
No stranger to feature race success at ‘The Triangle,’ Grimson won the 2023 Cup with Loyalist and trained District Attorney who famously ran down Leap To Fame in the 2024 Patrons Purse.
Grimson is setting star mare Captains Mistress for the Redcliffe Cup as the four-year-old builds towards the Rising Sun and potentially the Inter Dominion Final.
Already a feature race winner at Redcliffe, Grant Dixon was the caretaker trainer for the filly last year when she scored an impressive Oaks victory.
“It would be great to have Captains Mistress, the Tassie horse (Triedtotellya) is a great standing start runner, plus all the local hopes, it is building as a great edition of the race,” McNee said.
“The Trotters Cup should be strong and then the Derby, Oaks, and the Princess of the Bay, it is a huge night that the club is really excited by.
Of the local hopes, the Daren Garrard-trained Regazzo Di Tilly is a notable omission from the Inter Dominion nominations, with his campaign built around the Redcliffe Cup.
Free Thinker claimed the 2025 Cup and although he is unlikely to be there to defend the crown, Dixon is always well represented in a race he has won five times in the past 13 years.
After winning the Queensland Derby Consolation last year, Shane Graham is hopeful that Strikem can find the form to force his way into the race.
“I’d really like to go to the Redcliffe Cup with him,” Graham said.
“He steps good, the distance doesn’t worry him and the track won’t be an issue either.”
Both the Derby and the Oaks have grown in recent years and if the quality of the 2025 fields can be replicated, the three-year-olds will certainly provide a tantalising support card for the Cup.
Soho Americano started favourite in the Redcliffe Oaks in 2025 and although finishing midfield, bounced back to claim the Queensland Oaks.
Last year Rubira beat Fate Awaits before both horses claimed further Constellations Group 1 success in the Queensland Derby and Rising Sun respectively.
Potential Derby runners in 2026 that are already in Queensland include Fire And Passion, Move It Lou, Yottie, Barsby and Shankys Shot
While in the Oaks, Chantal Turpin will potentially have a strong attack on the race headed by Stripes and Ruby Rhayne Bow.
As the 70th anniversary of the RHRC approaches in 2027, the excitement builds towards the start of another Constellations carnival.
