Time's up for mighty mare

LIGHTNING fast Victorian trotting mare Maori Time's future program is now set in Plan B.

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

LIGHTNING fast Victorian trotting mare Maori Time's future program is now set in Plan B.

Owner Fred Crews has confirmed Maori Time has run her last race in Australia and will do the rest of her racing in Europe before retiring to the breeding barn.

Maori Time competed in Sunday's controversial first elimination of the Swedish Elitloppet and finished sixth after galloping at the start.

"We always had the option of leaving her with Stig Johansson for a period of time after the weekend but after her performance on Sunday (in the Elitloppet) it makes sense to leave her here for good,” Crews said.

"Stig is confident she can compete in some of the best races in Europe and I'd love to see her have another crack at Solvalla in 12 months that's for sure.''

Plan A had been to win the major feature and bring the bonny mare home. However, after the galloping mishap, Maori Time ran her last 1400 metres in a time equivalent to a mile rate of 1-50.9.

Repeats of that performance in Europe would see a lot of Kroner and Euros added to the bank balance and put a gold plated value on any future foals.

That makes sense.

Great service

THE average lifespan of a performance horse, would be roughly 25 years.

But with racing animals for various reasons, there are not too many these days racing past 10 years of age.

Geldings may find that the handicapper has caught up with them.

Mares may be retired early, as their perceived value as a broodmare churning out foals with race winning potential, might appeal to futuristic thinkers.

What do we do with those versatile and kindly pacers and trotters which remain?

The Marburg Pacing Association has had a long and fruitful association with the Standardbred Association Queensland Inc (SAQ) since its inception.

Racing Queensland was congratulated for giving material support to SAQ as outlined in the following press release.

The Standardbred Association Queensland Inc (SAQ) is pleased to announce that it has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with Racing Queens-land - joining Hygain as the two major sponsors for SAQ's 2018 Track to Hack Series.

SAQ's Track to Hack Series is run at nine agricultural shows in south-east Queensland, to promote standardbreds as Pleasure Horses upon their retirement from their traditional role of Harness Racing.

The final will be held at SAQ's State Harness and Hacking Championships in Gatton in August.

SAQ president Owanna Francisca said this sponsorship agreement would provide funding certainty for SAQ's signature event for the next three years.

Celebrating its 20 Year Anniversary in 2018, SAQ established its Rehoming and Adoption program in 2002 and rehomes between 80 and 120 standardbreds each year - with the rehoming of its 1,000th standardbred in February.

Harness Development Strategy Manager David Brick said Racing Queensland has a strong commitment to animal welfare and life after racing for its retired athletes.

"Racing Queensland is proud to support volunteer organisations like SAQ - who not only run a number of events each year to showcase these wonderful horses - but more importantly, play a significant role in rehoming standardbreds after their racing career,'' Brick said.

"This year's Track to Hack Series qualifying events have been held at Warwick, Kilcoy, Marburg and Ipswich Shows - with the remainder to be held at Caboolture, Lowood, Sunshine Coast, Kalbar and Redcliffe.''

I have re-homed a number of harness horses through SAQ and strongly recommends the service that they provide.

Handy tips

Selections for Albion Park tonight.

R1: E/w 8: Somepartysomewhere (N Dawson).

R2: Quinella 3-9: Eleniark (G Dixon) and Bohdi Tree (D McMullen).

R3: E/w 4: Gas Monkey (Madi Dux).

R4: Quinella 1-8: Casino Tommy (Madi Dux) and Polished Rocks (D Mcmullen).

R5: E/w 2: Its Just Kenny (G Dixon).

R6: E/w 1: Red Luck (D Graham).

R7: Quinella 1-6: Bettorbeperfect (P McMullen) and Constantlysideways (G Whitaker).

R8: Quinella 5-9: Invincible Loxton (K Rasmussen) and Beau Cishlom).

R9: Box trifecta in four 1-4-9-13: Downunder Rors (J Cremin)-Justabitlikemum (N Dawson)-Southern Alps (G Dixon)-Spirit Walker (P Diebert).

Honour board

A strange week with Darrell Graham not sighted on either side of the leader board. Small numbers in the training division with Bill Crosby and Chantal Turpin leading in a solid three winners apiece. Big numbers on the other side with Nathan Dawson scoring on eight occasions, Gary Whitaker six, and rising star Matt Elkins grabbing five, while reaching a milestone 200 winners lifetime in the process. Most pleasing was Thursday's Albion Park meeting with seven of the eight winners either trained or driven by Ipswich folk.

Albion Park, May 25: Ruhtrebo (Matt Elkins for Donny Smith); Where's The Spirit (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin); Stirling William (Nathan Dawson for Shawn Grimsey); Bumper (Nathan Dawson for Daren Garrard).

Albion Park, May 26: With Authority (Narissa McMullen for John McMullen); Lexus On The Beach (Nathan Dawson); Oyster Stride (G Whitaker for Kay Crone); Magicinracing ( Adam Richardson); Constantlysideways (Gary Whitaker for Bill Crosby); Majore Score (Nathan Dawson for Jack Butler); Heez Perfect (Gary Litzow); Needle (Gary Whitaker for Brad Connelly).

Marburg, May 26: Norahs Fling (Adam Richardson for Denis Smith); Alleys Fella (Matt Elkins for Greg Elkins); Hot Rod Heaven (Adam Richardson for Tayla Gillespie); Notmuchuptop (Gary Whitaker for Bill Crosby); Travelnfast (Nathan Dawson for Gary Vernon); Sand Safari (Adam Richardson for Tayla Gillespie); Zalta (Nathan Dawson for Mitchell Dawson).

Albion Park, May 29: Lansbury Clint Sneddon for Karen Bennett); Argyle Beach (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin); Punters Delight (Leonard Cain for Ron Sallis).

Albion Park, May 31: Notmuchuptop (Gary Whitaker for Bill Crosby); My Secret Torque (Danielle McMullen for Chantal Turpin); How We Roll (Gary Whitaker for Bill Crosby); Buddy Babcock (Leonard Cain for Nikki Chalk); Jazzy Artist (Danielle McMullen for Ryan Veivers); Soldier Of Fortune (Isobel Ross for Karen Schulz); None Bettor (Matt Elkins for Donny Smith).

Originally published as Time's up for mighty mare