Favourites through to Group 3 2YO Tasbred Finals

Talented two-year-old Smooth Machete (Ultimate Machete) booked his spot in Saturday week’s Group 3 Dandy Patch Final with a 28m harness racing win in the opening heat in Hobart on Sunday night.

The Ultimate Machete colt was taken straight to the lead from barrier two by driver Dylan Ford, and after a soft run in the early and middle stages, the colt let down in quarters of 29.1s and 26.7 to record his second career win at start four.

The pacer would have been one of the main chances in the Sweepstakes Final, which had plenty of depth in September, but connections elected to miss that race.

“He had some swelling in his leg, and we took a conservative approach,” said trainer Kelly Reggett.

Smooth Machete returned to the track earlier this month, where there were some excuses.

“Last start, he was not 100%.

“He had a trial on the Monday night prior and ran good time, and I think backing up six days later just took the edge off him, but in saying that, he fought on well just to get beat that night, but he seemed back to himself tonight which was a big bonus,” explained the trainer.

“Dylan (Ford) was really happy with him tonight, so hopefully, we get some luck and a good draw in the final,” said Reggett.

Smooth Machete was bred by Kelly and her husband Mark and is raced in partnership with Chris and Sharon Bailey.

Despite his quick last half-mile, the mile rating for 2090m was 2:03.5s.

The Heath Woods-trained and driven Custom Harley ($2.70) won heat two of the Dandy Patch, who settled one-out-one back before working to the lead at the 1500m.

The Rocknroll Dance gelding proved too good for his rivals late to hold off $1.90 favourite Vincenzo by 1.2m in a mile rating of 2:04.7s.

Evicus heats

Sabine ($1.06 fav) booked her spot for the Group 3 Evicus and will do so under new ownership.

Trainer-driver Charlie Castles confirmed post-race that the Dawn Of a New Day filly had been sold to prominent Riverina owner Michael Boots for an undisclosed amount.

“I will continue to train her for the final, and then she will head to either New South Wales or Victoria,” said Castles.

She ran a time of 2:00.3s for the mile trip, which was slower than the time of the Rodney Ashwood-trained Chenin Beach ($3.40), who led all the way to win heat two in 1:59.1s.

Three Year Old features

Nyack ($1.35 fav) remains on track for Saturday week’s Tasmanian Derby after a 16.9m win in the Tasmanian Guineas.

Ricky Duggan got the late call-up to drive the Todd Rattray-trained pacer, who led the one-wide line for the 1700m before racing away from his three rivals over the final 300m, dashing his last half mile in 56.2s.

In the 3YO Fillies Championship, an important lead-up to the upcoming Tasmanian Oaks, the Paul Hill-trained Mark Yole reigned Reely Nauti justified her market support ($2.50 into $1.60 fav) with an all-the-way win.

The filly was able to lead and get a soft run early and outsprinted her rivals late in a 58.0s last half-mile.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing