Photo: Dan Costello
There are only three slot announcements remaining following confirmation on Thursday that Australian pacer Speak The Truth and last year's runner up in The Race by Grins, Old Town Road have secured spots in the $1 million race.
The John Dickie-trained Old Town Road has once again been secured by Hydrowflow while Speak The Truth will run for Hidden Honey.
In something of a surprise, Queensland trainer Shannon Price confirmed Miracle Mile placegetter Speak The Truth would head to Cambridge rather than the Gr.1 Nullarbor at Perth’s Gloucester Park a week later.
Speak The Truth, who boasts 15 wins from just 28 starts, becomes the third confirmed Aussie-trained raider in the race, joining Better Eclipse (TAB NZ slot) and Rock N Roll Doo (Barrett Homes slot).
Price iced a deal on Thursday for her five-year-old to run in the Hidden Honey slot at Cambridge.
“A month or so back, we didn’t have any offers for slots anywhere, but he’s come back so well and we then had a few to weigh-up,” she said.
“It’s been a great position to be in, but also a lot to consider.
“In the end, we think NZ is the easier trip for him and the best option at this stage of his career.
“We think he’s come back better than ever and it’ll be exciting to take him to NZ on what looks like being a fantastic night for the sport with its great pacing and trotting races.”
Speak The Truth won a heat and qualified for the Brisbane Inter Dominion final late last year, where he ran sixth to fellow Queenslander Leap To Fame.
He returned from a break with two terrific wins and a third to Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile last Saturday night.
Price said Leap To Fame’s defection from the Race By Grins certainly made the race more attractive.
“We’ve tried more than most to beat him many times and haven’t been able to,” she laughed. “It’s nice to be going into a rare big race where we don’t have to contend with him.”
There is still speculation Menangle trainer Jason Grimson could add further to the Aussie flavour by securing a slot with one of his stable stars.
There are already four Aussie-trained raiders confirmed for the inaugural $575,000 TAB Trot on the same night.
Champion Just Believe, who races at Melton tomorrow (Saturday) night, heads the way with European import Callmethebreeze, star mare Queen Elida and emerging star Arcee Phoenix. - Adam Hamilton and Cambridge Raceway
