Driver Kelli Dawson vows to partner Destreos to Australasian record despite rib injury

IT was going to take a whole lot more than a busted tailbone and sore ribs to keep Kelli Dawson from partnering Destreos when he sets an Australasian record on Saturday night.

Kelli Dawson with Destreos after winning his 400th start. Picture: Dan Costello

IT was going to take a whole lot more than a busted tailbone and sore ribs to keep Kelli Dawson from partnering her favourite horse Destreos when he sets an Australasian record on Saturday night at Albion Park.

Destreos has become the cult horse of Australian pacing in recent weeks, notching his 90th win at Redcliffe on Saturday at his 400th start and now set to break Cane Smoke’s 25-year record for most number of starts.

Shane Graham deputised at Redcliffe for Dawson, who suffered a fractured tail bone in a fall at Redcliffe last month.

Ordinarily, she would be sidelined for more than the two weeks that has since passed, but the 25-year-old was not going to let it stand in the way of Destreos’ record-setting run.

“It wasn’t very nice missing out on his 400th start. It was a big event and something everyone was talking about,” Dawson said.

“So I was pretty determined I would be right for 401.

“The injury is still there and I’m just trying to manage it.”

Kelli Dawson says she is determined to be with Destreos when he reaches another milestone on Saturday night. Picture: Jono Searle.

This will be Dawson’s 225th drive behind Destreos, whose longevity and ability to peak this season at the ripe old age of 12 has made him the subject of huge exposure in recent weeks.

His trainer Ken Rattray has been humbled by all the attention and this week has fielded media interest from Sky Racing’s In The Gig, Melbourne, WA, Tasmania and even North America.

“It’s been quite a buzz in the past few weeks as he’s approached 400 and now the record. There was even media there when he trialled last month,” Dawson said.

“I don’t know what makes him so special. He just loves racing and has a will to win. He’s 12 now and has done two of his best career times this season.

“I haven’t been around that long, I’m only about to turn 26, but I don’t think anything else I will do in harness racing will get close to him. It’s quite special really.”

The big question now is whether Destreos can live up to the expectations and win tomorrow night.

UBET has Destreos the $4 second favourite, with in-form Ultimate Art the $1.70 hot pot.

Dawson, who first drove Destreos in February 2010, says this will be his toughest test for quite some time.

“It’s a much stronger race this week and there may be no fairytale ending this time, but it’s great to be there,” she said.

“He has a decent draw, but he will really have to be on his A-game to beat this field.”

The Albion Park Club, where Destreos has won 68 races, will make a special presentation to Rattray and owner Sally Stingel after Saturday night’s race, which has been aptly named the “Destreos Record Breaking Start 401 Open Pace”.

Entry is free, with Destreos set to fly from the gates at 9.07pm.

Trainer Ken Rattray with Destreos and his wife Sally, who owns the amazing pacer. Picture: Adam Head

DRIVING FORCE

Former Albion Park Secretary-Manager Milton Hulbert passed away recently.

Hulbert was credited as being one of the driving forces when the new Albion Park opened in the early 1980s.

TEO ENTEO TO ADD SPICE

CLASSY open class performer Teo Enteo has been purchased by Queensland interests and will race from the stables of Rachel Scott and Trevor Lambourn.

A winner of 20 races while banking more than $284,000, the son of Armbro Operative will be a welcome addition to the local open class ranks.

And expect open class ranks to deepen in the coming weeks with several other high quality pacers bound for Brisbane.

BUDDY BOUND FOR STATES

MAJOR Buddy, a winner last season of the Wayne Wilson Paleface Adios 2YO Classic at Albion Park, will do his future racing in North America with leading trainer Noel Daley.

Previously prepared by Mark Lichtwark, the Art Major rig bled at his most recent start at Cranbourne on March 17.

FALCON’S FINAL FLIGHT

ULTIMATE Falcon, the flagship stallion for Burwood Stud on the Darling Downs for the past decade, has recently passed away owing to complications with arthritic pain.

Some of his better performers include Il Tenore, Ultimate Mark, Misty Plains and Super Falcon.

Originally published as Driver Kelli Dawson vows to partner Destreos to Australasian record despite rib injury