Dashman's harness examination - February 24

Catch up on the week's harness racing action in our weekly review, thanks to Darren Clayton.

RARER THAN RARE

While dead heats are not common in racing, they are certainly far from rare.

Last Tuesday at 'The Creek', however, there was a dead heat in the fifth race of the day that was an exceptional occurrence.

My Ultimate Mario and Our Ultimate Luka were forced to share the spoils of victory when the judge was unable to declare a margin for either pacer.

Both pacers are trained by Jonah Hutchinson and both drew the outside of the respective lines behind the mobile, with My Ultimate Mario from gate seven and Our Ultimate Luka from gate 12.

Both pacers are owned by Hutchinson, with Hutchinson owning Our Ultimate Luka outright and owning My Ultimate Mario in partnership with Alan and Maree Whitecross, along with Paige Bevan.

Hutchinson opted to take the reins aboard Our Ultimate Luka, while the drive on My Ultimate Mario was handled by his fiancé, Bevan.

Making a move with one mile remaining, Hutchinson sent Our Ultimate Luka around the field and was able to find the front.

That left Bevan parked on My Ultimate Mario for the last 1200 metres.

Turning for home, the pair engaged in a battle to the wire, as My Ultimate Mario moved up strongly and momentarily hit the front, only for Our Ultimate Luka to fight back.

“This could be a dead heat, they take it right to the line here,” Chris Barsby called.

Proving correct, the dead heat margin was declared, with both pacers also credited with a personal best of 1.57.1 in the most unique of victories.

PURE GRUNT ON DISPLAY

The first two-year-old race of the year in Queensland was conducted at Albion Park last Tuesday, with the prizemoney heading south.

Pure Grunt was able to lead throughout for a smart victory.

The colt had the benefit of race experience after making his debut at Newcastle 11 days prior.

Of the six acceptors, five made the trip from the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, with first and third across the line both venturing north for the assignment.

Darrell Standen prepared the winner with Leigh Sutton also making the trip to drive the colt.

Miarka for Keith McDeed held on for third placing.

Splitting that pair was the local hope.

The Cristine Monte-trained Ideal Bronski finished in second place for driver Nathan Dawson.

While Pure Grunt may be trained in NSW, the colt is QBRED and picked up the first win bonus with the victory.

Bred by Brad and Nick Steele, along with Brian Hewitt, the colt is a graduate of the 2024 Sunshine Stars Sale, with Brad Steele retaining a share in the freshman pacer.

BITTERSWEET FOR BIRKIRKARA

Sent south to chase a potential Chariots Of Fire berth, Birkirkara faced a ballot from the first qualifying race, the Hondo Grattan Stakes on February 15.

With a slashing third place behind fellow Queenslanders The Janitor and Charge Ahead in a four-year-old event, hopes were high the entire would force his way into the second qualifier.

In a cruel twist, Birkirkara's Chariots hopes were scuttled when he faced another ballot in the last qualifier, the Paleface Adios Stakes on Saturday at Menangle.

Trainer Jack Butler opted to send the smart pacer around in a support race on the night and the son of Sweet Lou bounced back to winning form.

With Will Rixon taking the reins, the classy four-year-old stopped the clock in 1.50.0 for the mile, posting a winning margin of a neck.

Stretching his record to six wins from seven starts, the trip will remain a what might have been after both Charge Ahead and The Janitor (emergency one) forced their way into the Group 1 Chariots Field later in the evening via the Paleface Adios.

LEAP TO FAME ON TARGET

The quest to secure successive Miracle Mile victories remains achievable for Leap To Fame after the champion secured the first spot in the 2025 Grand Circuit event.

In his first race appearance since gaining Queensland Harness Hall of Fame status, the six-year-old produced a monster mile at Newcastle to land his place in the March 8 feature.

Continuing to press forward as the mobile pulled away from the field, it took almost 600 metres before Grant Dixon had his star in front.

Putting on an exhibition of pure speed and stamina, Leap To Fame became the first horse to go sub 1.50 on the Newcastle track, shaving 1.5 seconds off the track record with his 1.49.0 time.

The win also elevated Leap To Fame into the top five richest pacers of all-time in Australasia, going past King Of Swing, as his earnings moved to $3.4 million.

The Shannon Price-trained Sure Thing Captain held on for third after racing in the trail and will likely head to the Miracle Mile qualifiers to force his way into the $1 million Grand Circuit event.

Charge Ahead, a stablemate of Leap To Fame, will also chase Menangle feature race success.

The four-year-old forced his way into the Chariots Of Fire field on Saturday night and with the barrier draw completed on Monday, will start from barrier five.

The Janitor will be relying on a scratching after being named as the first emergency.

The Chantal Turpin-trained four-year-old attacked the line strongly to finish fifth in the Paleface Adios Stakes.

THIS WEEK

Racing will return to 'The Creek' for nine races on Tuesday.

Not As Promised steps out in the first race of the day, with a potential Sydney trip for the Hammerhead Mile depended on his performance.

Redcliffe will host their regular Wednesday and Thursday meetings, while this Sunday Marburg host their first meeting of 2025.

Interstate action will showcase the Chariots Of Fire and Sprint qualifiers for the Miracle Mile, along with heats of the NSW Derby, with strong Queensland representation.