The Dynamo hits Hobart

Several states have created several sprint series harness racing events, shorter than the traditional mile in recent years, and Tasmania is the next state to try the concept in Hobart on Friday night with the Dynamo.

All eight races will be run over 1120m, with the field sizes reduced to no more than six runners per race.

A bonus is that the winner that records the quickest time will receive a $20,000 bonus, with $10,000 going to the winning owners, $7,500 to the winning trainer and $2,500 to the winning driver.

The 1120m distance has been used at Hobart in the past, hosting five races in 2018, with the winners coming from barrier two (twice), three, four and three on the second line, with the track record of 1:18.0s being held by Offthetopofmyhead.

One horse chasing that bonus is Mickey Oh, who returns to the track after a recent New South Wales campaign that ended in late September.

“Personally, I think it did him the world of good,” said part-owner Chris Howlett.

“To work with those good horses of James (Rattray), he was holding his own with them, and his times were good, and I think it sharpened him up.

“We don’t have that class of horses to work with him, and he only does what he has to do at home.

“He just had no luck with the draws, but his last run, he broke 54s his last half mile, and he ran fifth,” Howlett added.

Trained and driven by Chris’s son, Matthew, Mickey Oh had 10 days off once returning home and was seen in a Hobart trial on 30 October when second to Mister Finnigan in a standing start event.

“The trial was just to qualify him from a stand for the Golden Apple. We just let him walk away (at the start), and I will probably nominate him again on Monday night and work on that a bit more,” Chris said.

“His track work since coming home has been excellent.

“He came out of the mobile good up there (in Sydney), and we know he can stay, so we thought we would put him in and see what happens,” said Chris about the race.

Chris trains Modern Jive in race 3, who will also be driven by Matthew.

“I give him a good chance.

“He has been going okay in his races. It would have been nice if we drew in a little bit closer.

“I will leave it to the driver, but he hasn’t been one to go backwards at any time.

“I don’t think he is anything special, but I think he will pay his way,” said Chris.

Matt Reid will host TasracingTV’s coverage of the eight-race card, which commences at 17:35.