By Adam Hamilton
It is a big weekend for the Kiwis when the Brisbane Winter Carnival steps up a notch at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Leading the way is Team Purdon’s star veteran trotter Oscar Bonavena, who faces a fascinating clash with the enigmatic but gifted Gus in Tony Veivers Memorial Trot (race four) over the mobile 2138m.
Oscar Bonavena, who looked sharp winning and Albion Park trial last Friday, will be driven by Adam Sanderson and has eased from $1.40 to $1.80. Gus has been backed from $5.50 into $3.30.
Not As Promised, who didn’t show his best during a recent NZ campaign, is the other key player. He’s been $17 into $10.
Later in the night, Team Purdon’s classy three-year-old Rubira will get a taste of what’s to come when he clashes with Queensland’s best of his age, Fate Awaits, in the Burwood Stud 3YO (race nine) over 1660m.
Rubira, with Sanderson aboard, has a huge barrier advantage from gate two with Fate Awaits out in six.
There is huge anticipation around star Kiwi filly Captains Mistress, who has her first start for Grant Dixon against older mares in race eight.
Captains Mistress, a last-start Group 1 winner for Nathan Williamson, has only been seen once for Dixon when she coasted to an easy Redcliffe trial on June 4.
She is $2.50 pre-post favourite for the Queensland Oaks in a race where Dixon also has $3.50 second elect, Cool And Classy, who won the NSW Oaks.
The Kiwis have already added plenty to what shapes as a stellar next six weeks of racing in Queensland.
Former Kiwi four-year-old The Janitor will create plenty of attention from gate one in the second race on Saturday night. He is one of the major contenders for the Group 1 Rising Sun on July 5.
The Rising Sun flavour extends to the Queensland Sun where Dixon has three of the leading hopes: Path To Greatness (one), Air Express (six) and Charge Ahead (eight).
The winner gets a golden ticket into the Rising Sun.
