Marburg ideal place to relax

WHAT better way to spend a winter Sunday than out at Marburg at the trots.

QT trot columnist and harness racer Denis Smith. Picture: David Nielsen

WHAT better way to spend a winter Sunday than out at Marburg at the trots.

Join us tomorrow for the best of country trotting on the clear vision 700 metre circuit, with an addition to the cold weather menu.

There's a strong bookmaker presence on local races, Sky screens to keep an eye on the major gallops meetings and "funny money" bookie for those who like the fun aspect of a flutter but can't afford to risk the cash.

Punt our $500 scrip into a fortune to bid on goods at the auction after the last.

There's a gate prize of a $100 betting voucher for the over 18s and "pick the last six winners" now at a $1800 share.

Buy a $3 race book and get your entry in the box.

Other attractions are best beverage prices at a sporting event and an ice cream van on site.

Gates open at 11am.

The first race is at 12.30pm.

Admission is adults $5, pensioners, members and students $3.

Reasonable change

AS the following press release details, trainers and/or drivers are no longer required to give advance notice of intention to drive a horse in a manner which may differ from the usual racing pattern adopted for that particular horse.

Racing Queensland (RQ), in consultation with the Queens-land Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), has moved to repeal the harness driving tactics rule AHRR 44.

QRIC commissioner Ross Barnett said the change, which falls into line with other Australian jurisdictions, means harness racing participants are no longer required to notify a change of driving tactics to stewards prior to a race but at the same time the requirement to notify stewards of multiple runners has been strengthened.

"This change which comes into effect July 10, is the repeal of AHRR 44(1), (2),(3),(4) and (5), but trainers with more than one runner in a race must continue to notify stewards of their intended driving tactics for each runner no later than 60 minutes prior to the advertised starting time," Mr Barnett said.

"Failing to comply and if drivers adopt tactics detrimental to a horses performance it may lead to penalties that include suspension under rule AHRR 149."

Having read the above, it seems a reasonable change, in that a driver should not be required to divulge such changes, lest such information becomes beneficial to his or her opposition.

Any or all of the following comment is based on the premise that each and every runner is "trying for its life" every time it goes round.

The question of how to police this rule change rears its head when we race under the "mobile conditioned" format.

Any inquiry into running and handling requires a reliable form line, in order to provide a template of the horse's recent performances against which, the stewards panel can compare the run which is under consideration.

Any rule change to the policing of the current format is to a great extent a wasted exercise, as the format, by its very nature, cannot be policed.

Recreational punters receive no protection whatsoever under the current arrangements, and nor will they, until such time as it becomes evident that QRIC has employed the services of an expert form analyst to find reliable form lines in the existing minefield.

Consider this statement from a chief steward circa 2000 to a driver who had ignored an opening at the 800 metre mark and was under intense scrutiny for so doing.

At the conclusion of the inquiry, the steward instructed the driver that, in future he would, "drive the race as it presents itself".

Several other drivers, which had driven the horse involved prior and were well aware that it could sprint 200 metres and no more, rightly found this instruction bizarre.

Headed for the top

SPORT thrives on heroes and the current rising star is most definitely the K and K Seymour owned Grant Dixon trained and driven Colt Thirty One.

The current stats - 21 starts for 17 wins and three placings with a bank of $334,765 teamed up with a large serve of speed and stamina - tell you the son of Mach three and Charm Personified is headed right to the top.

Another possible hero could be the Minister For Racing Stirling Hinchcliffe, who would be an automatic selection if he was to channel the income from the POC tax on wagering to race track infrastructure and community benefit projects in a ratio of 75/25%.

Tips and handy form for tomorrow's Marburg trot meeting.

Race 1 selections: 4-2-5

Regal Rock: Was a terriffic winner here three starts ago after copping all the the pressure, will go close again.

Torque To The Max: Racing well with seconds at last two starts, has choices at the start and is the main danger.

Sugar Briches: Has a good record this track and will be the one running on if the speed is hectic, place.

Race 2 selections: 3-1-8

Machitelli: Massive class drop today and will most likely start the shortest of favourites, looks a standout.

Overcommitted: Winner here two starts ago, just needs to hold the back of the 3 to place today.

Unassuming Champ: Looks an improving type running on well last start, can sneak a placing with luck.

Race 3 selections: 8-9-5

Elzboy: In an even field looks the most consistent saved for one run can look the winner at some stage.

Lighthorse: Improved run at red last start and if that trend continues can be right in this.

Pure Madness: Mixing her form a little but has looked good here in the past, look for sharp improvement.

Race 4 selections: 7-8-3

Inciter: Always a consistent placegetter lately but this looks his race to re-enter the winners list, top hope.

Travelnfast: Fresh here after a short break but definitely has the ability to figure if near his best.

Blatic Blue Eyes: Last chance today to recapture his best form but he is a top three hope if he does.

Race 5 selections: 7-1-4

Ruffalo: Will be relying on the pace being on but if it is should be finishing in the placegetters, good chance.

Reddy Fire: Would only need to show a glimpse of his old form to be highly competitive here, keep safe.

Domestic Art: Impossible to leave out of selections as his at track form suggests will be right in this again today.

Race 6 selections: 4-1-3

Crowning Glory: Racing really well without a lot of luck a tough pacer that can make own luck, top hope.

Its All Torque: Form reads only fair but can be a marked improver from the good draw, keep safe.

Chirpy Chuckles: Forgive last run and go on previous good run at AP and can be winning.

Race 7 selections: 7-8-6

Burning Ambition: Showing tremendously consistent form of late and will love the drop in class, winner.

Im Free Falling: Form slightly up and down last five but when good its capable of measuring up today.

Sir Semper Fidelis: Terrific through Marburg to AP series and will only need luck to figure today.

Race 8 selections: 1-7-2

Phantom Rockstar: Form reads only fair but if able to lead you will see a different horse, take on trust.

Jerrys Jet: Can follow the likely leader and look to get out late, classy horse 19 wins, keep safe.

Cotton Cold Candy: Can look to get a good run in the running and finish of hard late as usual, place.

Selections for Albion Park tonight.

R1: Box trifecta 3-9-13: Somepartysomewhere (N Dawson)-Let It Ride (A Butt)-Effronte (L McCarthy).

R2: Box trifecta in four 2-6-7-11: Tygar (J Taafe)-Living Again ( L McCarthy)-Clintal Do (N Dawson)-Lockton Luck (A Turnbull).

R3: E/w 10: The Bachelor (K Rassmussen).

R4: E/w 7: Bettor Than Special (A Sanderson).

R5: Quinella 1-8: My Harmony Blue (M Craven) and Sociable (L McCarthy).

R6: E/w 10: My field Marshall (A Butt).

R7: Box trifecta 6-12-13: Needle (G Whitaker)-Tough Monarch (R Alchin)-Our Overanova (G Dixon).

R8: Box trifecta 1-3-4: Thatswhatisaid (B Hewitt)-Duplicated (N Jack)-Colt thirty One (G Dixon).

R9: Quinella 8-10: Betamerica (A Sanderson) and Smart As Camm Be (K Rassmussen).

R10: Quinella 1-2: Grinvil (L Cain) and I Am Serengeti (R Morris).

Honour board

This week, Pete McMullen regained traction on the drivers' board, finishing second to high-flyer Nathan Dawson, five wins to seven. There was a wide and skinny spread of winners for the trainers. Darrell Graham was on top with a bare two, first across the line. Most pleasing was Kelli Dawson's driving treble at the Redcliffe Sunday meeting. Ipswich factor: 24/52.

Albion Park, July 6: Betamerica (Adam Sanderson for Shannon Price); Stirling William (Nathan Dawson for Shawn Grimsey).

Albion Park, July 7: Cold Ideal (Gary Whitaker for Christina Monte); Montana Falcon (Adam Sanderson for Darrell Graham).

Redcliffe, July 8: Im Free Falling (Ron Sallis); Countdown (Nathan Dawson for Troy Williams); Under The Kilt (Gary Whitaker for Warren Hinze); Bella Rippin (Kelli Dawson for Jamie Donovan); Always At Night (Kelli Dawson for Kate Jenner); Seven Rippin Aces (Kelli Dawson for Jamie Donovan); Meant To Be Me (Nathan Dawson for Gary Gerrard).

Albion Park, July 10: Our Delight (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin); Tell The Linesmen (Nathan Dawson for Darrell Graham); Ima Top Tycoon (Danielle McMullen for Ryan Veivers); Tom Me Gun (Narissa McMullen); Waste Of Time (Taleah McMullen for Danielle McMullen).

Redcliffe, July 11: Vader (Matt Elkins for Dan Russell); Beef City Blaze (Nathan Dawson for Peter Greig); No Transactions (Gary Whitaker).

Redcliffe, July 12: Emargee (Paul Diebert for Ricky Gordon); Precious Cullen (Nathan Dawson for Graham White); Oh Stanley (Nathan Dawson for Peter Neilson); Big In America (Pete McMullen for Stewie Dickson); Calcavado (Pete McMullen for Ron Sallis).

Originally published as Marburg ideal place to relax