13 April 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Kent and Gareth Rattray claimed their second Easter Cup when Sunny Sanz claimed his second Cup for the year after scoring in the Devonport Cup earlier this year.
Kent prepared Riverboat Jasper to win the Cup in 2016, while his nephew Gareth partnered with Scooterwillrev in 2021.
The win was an excellent result for Sunny Sanz’s north-east based owner-breeders Nathan and Sandra Bennett, who were emotional about claiming Northern Tasmania’s premier race.
Tasbred pacers have now won five of the last six Easter Cups.
This week we again race in Hobart on Friday and Launceston on Sunday.
The Stars
Sunny Sanz – at $61, he became the longest price Easter Cup winner since HRA records commenced in 1989. The gelded son of Sportswriter has been sidelined on numerous occasions throughout his career and rewarded his connections with their perseverance for the biggest win.
Allan McDonough – moved to sixth on the state drivers’ premiership after five driving wins in Launceston, including injury-plagued mare Dream Maze in the Allan Williams Memorial.
Jimmy The Irishman – returned to the track from a long break due to a tendon issue and showed his class to win the Kevin Gillies Memorial.
Izaha – was almost retired last September, but he claimed the Wagga Cup on Saturday night, running a mile rate of 1m 51.8s for 1740m.
Matthew Howlett – had been stuck on 99 driving wins for several weeks but broke through for his 100th win in Hobart aboard Galaxy Dancer.
Danny Malone – stable supporters were cheering after six-year-old mare Spooky Girl was backed from $26 into $7 to record her second win.
Feats of the meet
Hobart, 7 April
Ben Yole – four training wins,
Mitch Ford – two driving wins,
Nathan Ford – two driving wins,
Matthew Howlett – 100th driving win.
Launceston, 8 April
Allan McDonough – five driving wins,
Emma Stewart – four training wins,
Ben Yole – two training wins.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Hobart, 7 April
Sharmey 57.16s, Gethomeroy 57.34s, Jackson Neptune 57.46s, Cardinal Sin 57.57s and Montana Flash 57.70s.
Launceston, 8 April
Set Ablaze 55.40s, Jimmy The Irishman 55.98s, We Salute You 56.39s, Aha Reaction 56.45s and Nova Baxter 65.77s
Tasracing Official Price
Hobart, 7 April
Hit’s: Remember Me Now $5.00 into $3.60, Galaxy Dancer $3.50 into $3.00, Spooky Girl $26 into $7.00 and Christian Major $12 into $7.00.
Defied The Drift: Jackson Neptune $2.40 out to $2.60, Brian Who $3.60 out to $4.00 and Velocity Stride $12 out to $17.
Missed: Reds Good To Go $17 into $8.00, Jack James $3.30 into $2.70, Mucho Mover $4.00 into $3.00, Sports Illustrator $4.80 into $3.60, Scotlynn Beach $2.90 into $2.35 and Shaun To The Max $3.80 into $2.70.
Launceston, 8 April
Hit’s: Renewel $1.26 into $1.22, Set Ablaze $1.35 into $1.22, Jimmy The Irishman $5.50 into $4.80, Eureka $9.50 into $7.50 and Major Grace $1.28 into $1.20.
Defied The Drift: Rich Beauty $1.55 out to $1.65, Sunny Sanz $31 out to $61, Mach Angelo $9.50 out to $11 and Kivik $21 out to $31.
Missed: Idealrockidealroll $1.45 into $1.35, Shannon $13 into $8.00, Larvotto Beach $1.40 into $1.35 and Endeavour Stride $16 into $8.50.
Week Ahead
Friday: Seven races in Hobart from 17:44 on Sky Racing 2.
Saturday: Trials from Carrick Park commencing at 9:00.
At Melton Lip Reader, Kosimo, Max Delight, and Fynn Frost are all engaged with local interest.
Sunday: Nine races in Launceston from 17:53 on Sky Racing 1.
At the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Ignatius lines up in the ninth race. As per USA harness racing, there are no start times for races apart from race one, but the race will likely run between 11:30 and 12:00 Tasmanian time.
Tuesday: Bianca Heenan has Stravinsky engaged in the second heat of the Mildura Cup, with Nathan Ford booked for the drive.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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