05 January 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
A new season of harness racing on mainland Tasmania commences on Friday, kicking off in a different style as racing returns to Scottsdale on Friday with the running of the $14,000 North Eastern Pacing Cup.
Visiting Victorian trainer Emma Stewart will be looking to add the Listed Hobart Pacing Cup to her resume, where two runners represent her in the $40,000 event, including Easter Cup placegetter Likeawildfire and Hes Ideal, the winner of nine races from 13 starts.
The Tasmanian harness racing industry was saddened to learn of the passing of former trainer, owner and breeder Bruce Usher last Thursday at 90 years of age.
The Stars
Big Boy Mal – the gelded son of Lincoln Royal, recorded a dominant win in the last feature race of 2022, the Tasmanian Country Championship. After being caught three-wide early, trainer-driver Rohan Hillier pressed forward to find the lead near the mile before racing away for a 24m win.
Paul Williams – not only trained and drove Tisu Storm to victory in Monday’s King Island Pacing Cup, but he also landed a training trifecta in the race, in what is believed to be a first since its inaugural running in 1894.
The Shallows – equalled the 2150m Carrick Park track record with a half-neck win in the fast class event. Trainer-driver Heath Woods gave the pacer a lovely run one-out one-back before progressing into the race from the 700m. The win saw the pacer take his prize money earnings over $200,000.
Jamie Leale – is set to end a long stint of preparing northern Tasmanian harness racing tracks, including the Carrick Park track on Friday, which saw the track record equalled in two races.
Feats of the meet
Carrick Park, 30 December
Rohan Hillier – driving double,
Gareth Rattray – driving double.
King Island, 2 January
Kayleb Williams – 50th career driving win.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Carrick Park, 30 December
Sunny Sanz 55.91s, Ryley Major 56.27s, Be Major Threat 56.33s, Lip Reader 56.44s and The Shallows 56.55s.
Tasracing Official Price
Carrick Park, 30 December
Hits: Szabolski Leis $2.60 into $2.25, Reckless Dream $4.80 into $2.90, Sporty Ben $7.00 into $4.40 and Sutter Star $10 into $8.50.
Defied The Drift: Herakles $4.40 into $6.00, The Shallows $3.20 out to $3.50 and Vinny Chase $81 out to $151.
Missed: More Than This $6.00 into $4.40, Stepping Stones $3.70 into $3.10, Stone Cracker $26 into $12, Jack James $8.50 into $4.60, Cinocal Jamane $5.00 into $4.40 and Better Amour $10 into $6.00.
Week Ahead
Friday: Harness racing returns to Scottsdale with the running of the $14,000 North Eastern Pacing Cup.
Saturday: The Bendigo Cup is the feature race of the night, where Tasmanian-owned Max Delight lines up from barrier five in the Group 2 feature.
On the support card, Streitkid (Race 4) and Kosimo (Race 6) are both Tasmanian owned and bred.
At Menangle, Tasmanian-owned and bred Izaha lines up in the sixth race at listed level.
Sunday: 10 events are scheduled for Hobart, with the $40,000 Hobart Pacing Cup at Listed level being the weekend’s feature race.
Monday: Trials are scheduled at Carrick Park.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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