20 February 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Another Tasmanian open-class sprint resulted in another win for eight-year-old gelding Be Major Threat, who scored in the Cavalor Equicare Elite FFA in Hobart on Sunday night.
Be Major Threat was sent out as a $35 chance, and since returning from a Sydney preparation last May, he has won three of his five tries over the mile on Tasmanian tracks.
Settling back in the field, driver Dylan Ford was able to get a cart into the race from the 800m on the back of Harjeet, and when that pacer went wide on the track after an issue with his saddle near the 500m, which resulted in his hopples slipping down in the vicinity of his hocks, Be Major Threat was able to slip through into clear room during that stage of the race.
Ryley Major ($4 into $2.20 fav) utilised the sprint lane to finish second, while Harjeet ($6), who was resuming, ran third.
“It was a super effort, and he goes well fresh,” Ford said.
“The only time he has put in a bad run (this preparation) was when I drove him out of his comfort zone.
“They ran a quick first quarter, then Todd (Rattray, driver of Harjeet) put the pressure on down the back, then his horse rolled up with a gear problem, which worked out well for me.
The driver believes that the winner of 23 races, who is trained by his mother, Tammy Langley, has taken the next step and deserves a chance at next month’s Group 1 Tasmania Cup.
“I think it’s our chance to have a crack at it, we had Offthetopofmyhead in it last year, and things didn’t go right.
“We will go to the heats, and given his handicap, he will have to be driven quietly.”
The win was a middle leg of a driving treble for Dylan, who scored in the opening race on the Steve Lukac-trained Donny In Paris, and later in the night with Hes Apples, who he also trains.
Not to be outdone, Dylan’s sister Tarn Ford drove another double at the second consecutive Tasmanian meeting scoring with Juniper and Salvator Mundi.
Other highlights on the card included another brilliant display by the Shane Boon-trained Im Rock Solid, while Better Amour ended a frustrating run of second placings for trainer Paul Carlson.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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