With real talent, Dawson achieves magic milestone

Glamorganvale's "First Harness Citizen” Nathan Dawson has passed yet another milestone in his short but spectacular career.

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

WITH the current season drawing to a close, Glamorganvale's "First Harness Citizen" Nathan Dawson has passed yet another milestone in his short but spectacular career.

The lean and hungry reinsman racked up the magic 200 winners for the racing year at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.

The victory was all the sweeter as it was a family affair, with Unassuming Champ" trained to the minute by brother Mitchell Dawson.

The pair combined later in the night to score with Zalta to push the total to 201.

Dawson's stats for the season at close of proceedings on the night were: starts 1180, wins 201 and placings 322.

Money earned from Dawson's drives added up to $990,182.

With two more winners at Albion Park on Thursday and six more race meetings until curtain time, it is likely that Dawson's efforts will crack the million for owners this term.

It is the stuff of dreams, based on real talent.

That's talent verified by the fact that five members of his family were first at the winning post at Albion Park on Pacing Gold night on August 11.

Pete McMullen, Danielle McMullen, Kelli Dawson and Trent Dawson were there to accompany Nathan on his winning way.

Successful venture

WHILE the Queensland harness exchequer was taking a pounding from inter-state raiders, veteran trainer Ray Cross journeyed south and took up temporary residence in Charlton, Victoria within easy reach of five tracks.

The result of the venture was 36 starters for three wins, one second and three thirds, for a bankroll of $20,688.

Top earners Calvert Hot Shot and Honey Please came home, while Ima Calvert Rose and Someone's Singing stayed in the capable hands of Darryl Crone.

Happy owners

IT is said that when the harness bug bites, it bites hard.

Consider the Brisbane EKKA two years back, when long-time friends of Graham and Martine Dwyer came to the show and chanced to watch the harness.

Amanda Evans, Clayton Hedges with daughters Bree and Cody, went backstage to meet the four-legged stars, and came away determined to get involved.

The first purchase was an unbroken pony which has taken the girls through the mini-trotter ranks, followed by shares in the successful pacer I Found A Beach with the Dwyers and Lola Weidemann.

The team is now in phase three.

They have purchased the ex-Victorian trotter Redriverdebba, a very promising second on debut at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.

That represents some happy owners.

Bree is working for Grant Dixon and soon to drive at trials.

Cody has another four years to go with the minis.

Fraud charges

THREE Brisbane harness racing participants have been charged with fraud after allegedly misusing banking services for tax avoidance purposes over several years.

The charges are the result of an ongoing Queensland Racing Crime Squad investigation named Operation Oscar Swallowtail.

They are additional charges against two men and one woman previously charged with race fixing.

It is alleged the 35-year-old man, 40-year-old woman and 66-year-old man used a bank account in one of their names for the purpose of tax avoidance.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said the ongoing investigation into alleged wrongdoing in the harness racing industry was still continuing and these latest charges are as a result of that.

The two men and woman from Brisbane have been issued with notices to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 24.

Farewell trainers

SAD news this week with the passing of hobby trainers Graham Pascoe and Tom O'Shea.

Next week, we will look at their lives in harness, and remember the good times.

Handy tips

SELECTIONS for Albion Park tonight.

R1: Quinella 4-8: Alpha Styx (A Frisby) and Franco Tariq (A Sanderson).

R2: Box trifecta 2-8-12: Mafuta Vautin (D Graham)-Holy Camp Clive (A Frisby)-Invincible Loxton (D Weeks).

R3: Quinella 1-12: Pompidou (I Ross) and Grinvil (P McMullen).

R4: Quinella 2-8: Annika Magic (K Smith) and Major Occasion (A Frisby).

R5: Quinella 1-8: Glenferrie Baby (K Dawson) and Burning Ambition (N Dawson).

R6: E/w 1: Projectile (K Smith).

R7: Quinella 3-8: Hellbound (I Ross) and Spud (C Petroff).

R8: E/w 2: Sir Julian (J Cremin).

R9: Quinella 2-3: Glenferrie Hood (P McMullen) and Watch Pulp Fiction (H Barnes).

R10: E/w 2: Light Horse (P Matis).

Honour board

Nathan Dawson topped the leaderboard with nine wins (rating 450), leading Pete McMullen on eight wins and a rate of 400. Darrell Graham took out the training laurels, leading in six winners. Most pleasing was Spring Campaign for Jacob Wallace. Ipswich factor: 36/48.

Albion Park, August 17: Pats Delight (Nathan Dawson for Jay Edmunds); Giatiano (Adam Sanderson for Rod Hinze); Regal Rock (Darrell Graham); Epirus Boy (Danielle McMullen for Ryan Veivers); Always My Mate (Hayden Barnes for Chantal Turpin); Have To Get Away More (Alistair Barnes); The Ides Of March (Nathan Dawson for Donny Smith); Cheap Tint (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin).

Albion Park, August 18: Slice Of Heaven (Nathan Dawson For Donny Smith); None Bettor (Matt Elkins for Donny Smith); Grinvil (Pete McMullen for Richard Hutchinson); Chal Fire (Kelli Dawson); Springbank Eden (Darrell Graham); Glenferrie Hood (Pete McMullen for Wayne Graham); Novena Rose (Adam Sanderson).

Kilcoy, August 18: Franco Totem (Darrell Graham); My Mastercraftsman (Adam Sanderson); Coast Warning (Adam Sanderson for Simon Jay).

Albion Park, August 21: Candyfloss (Pete McMulen for Vic Frost); Rum And Schotz (Nathan Dawson for John McMullen); Geronimo Beau (Trent Dawson); Tuesdays Fella (Chris Petroff for Trevor Lambourn); Argyle Beach (Pete McMullen for Chantal Turpin); Spring Campaign (Jacob Wallace); Threo (Nathan Dawson for Darrell Graham).

Redcliffe, August 22: The Next Star (Stephanie Graham for Darrell Graham); Unassuming Champ (Nathan Dawson for Mitchell Dawson); Caesars Astrum (Pete McMullen for Richard Hutchinson); Arbit Major (Natnan Dawson for Brad Connelly); Bukthesystem (Pete Mcmullen for Dudley Warburton); Fortes and Fide (Adam Richardson for Doug Lee); Day Tourer (Matt Elkins for Alix Cain).

Albion Park, August 23: Regalia (Adam Sanderson for Aileen Smith); Malone (Darrell Graham); Zalta (Nathan Dawson for Mitchell Dawson); Monivae (Pete McMullen for Ron Sallis); Shadow Pass (Nathan Dawson for Donny Smith).

Originally published as With real talent, Dawson achieves magic milestone