TALENTED Tasmanian harness racing mare Queens Advocate could soon be making her way to Sydney as part of a preparation that will conclude in the George Johnson mares’ classic during the Christmas carnival in Hobart.
Queens Advocate kept her unbeaten record this season intact when she faced the breeze but still proved to be too good for quality four-year-old Palmisano at the UBET Racing Centre in Launceston last Sunday night.
Palmisano had run into star three-year-old Jerrys Jet at his two previous outings and wasn’t beaten far, so his form without winning was outstanding going into Sunday night’s assignment.
The Brian Stanley-trained gelding led easily from the pole position while Queens Advocate’s driver Ricky Duggan took his mare back at the start but when the pace slackened he was quick to send the mare around the field to face the breeze.
When Duggan called on the Juanita McKenzie-trained mare for the supreme effort in the home straight she eventually ground down the leader but to his credit he fought back courageously to go down by a narrow margin.
Queens Advocate has had eight starts in Tasmania for seven wins and a second since arriving from New Zealand earlier this year. She had 28 starts in NZ for two wins and seven minor placings.
The mare was purchased by Terry Johnson who has longed to own a mare that has the potential to win the race named in his father’s honour – The George Johnson.
“We had a few mares to look at and this one seemed like an ideal type to achieve what we were after.”
“I am rapt that she has turned out to be a good one and capable of winning a George Johnson but a bit of water has to pass under the bridge before we can be certain she is going to be up to that standard,” she said.
Connections are expected to test the mare interstate soon.
“We were thinking about heading to Melbourne and then off to Sydney but the way she has been going we will more than likely go direct to Sydney because I’m sure she’ll appreciate the big track at Menangle,” she said.
A decision on when the mare embarks on an interstate mission will be made within a week.