Snowie ready to build after debut win

Trainer Craig Hayes will send Snowiewillrev (Stay Hungry)($1.30 fav) to the spelling paddock after his narrow harness racing victory in the Keith Stanley Debutante Stakes (1680m), the first two-year-old race in the state this season.

Only three runners lined up for the $20,000 race, where Gareth Rattray took the pacer to the lead and got some extremely slow sectionals before dashing home in a 27.6s final quarter to score by a half-neck.

“We were looking to put him out as he had been up for a while and was starting to get a bit over it, but we hung on and hoped we would get a run; otherwise, he would have had to go out,” Hayes said post-race.

“I told Gareth to try and get an easier run as you can if you are lucky enough to lead because I think he has just gone over the top a bit.

“I think his biggest asset is his strength. He is stronger rather than fast, but he has a decent turn of speed. He will go for a break now and return a very handy horse,” the trainer explained.

Hayes credited farrier and former trainer Maurice Jarman with his help in stopping the pacer cross-firing early in his preparation, with those issues now well behind.

“He is an excellent pacer now,” said Hayes.

Snowiewillrev was purchased for $40,000 at last year’s Nutrien Yearling Sale in Melbourne, which has been a proven formula for the connections.

“I liked his mannerism. He is a beautiful natured horse as you would ever see, which took my eye. He is still a friendly horse you will ever see. If anyone walked near his yard, he would just come up and put his head over the fence, and his conformation was spot on.

Sportzsilk breakes Maiden status

The $20,000 Allen Williams Memorial (2200m) holds the title of the state’s richest maiden race, where the Adrian Duggan-trained Sportzsilk (Sportswriter)($3.80) broke through for his first win at start 13.

Driver Ricky Duggan pushed forward from a wide draw to lead up the one-wide line from the 1500m. The four-year-old gelding has one-one cover down the back straight the final time before whipping around three wide from the 500m and proved too tough late to score by a neck over Obler.

“He ran the gate okay but when the two and three came out as well as him, I decided to just let him roll forward steady.

“It’s a shame Jacob (Duggan) is on the sidelines. He got a holiday and thats the only reason I got the drive,” said Ricky.

Adrian and Ricky teamed up to win with Hurricane Rock ($8.00) later in the night.

Indelible leaves her mark on Jane Ellen

Victorian trainer Clayton Tonkin produced Tasmanian-owned and bred mare Indelible (Four Starzzz Shark)($1.05 fav) to score in the $20,000 Jane Ellen (2200m).

Driver Rohan Hillier took no chances early, getting straight off from his inside of the second-row draw before whipping around the field to find the lead near the 1300m. The injury-plagued seven-year-old mare raced away from her rivals late to score by 21.2m.

“I just had to keep her out of trouble early, and at some stage, we thought she would find the top. I think she has a lot of ability, and obviously, she has had two years off and the team have done a terrific job with her, and I look forward to seeing how she goes in the future.

Tiger roars home in Sinbad Bay

Five-year-old gelding Just Tiger (Betterthancheddar)($1.50 fav) was another short-price favourite to score when he recorded an 11.4m win in the $20,000 Sinbad Bay.

Settling in the back half of the field in the early stages, trainer-driver Charlie Castles decided to ease the pacer three-wide at the 1300m before drawing clear of his rivals from the 300m.

“When I went, I thought I may have got the breeze, but they just clicked up a bit, so I was happy to sit out there.

“He has got to keep going through the grades now, but I think he will be able to do that,” Castles said post-race.

Mickey Oh so fine in Kevin Gillies Memorial

While regular Tasmanian harness racing followers were aware, those who don’t follow the Tasmanian harness racing scene would have been totally unaware as there was no listing in the form guide that Mickey Oh (Racing Hill)($2.05 fav) was declared a non-runner in his Easter Cup heat last week.

He made up a small consolation for his connections when claiming the Kevin Gillies Memorial (2698m), where he overcame a 20m handicap.

The gelding was kept on the move by trainer-driver Matthew Howlett at the start of the race, where he paced away to settle in the back half of the field before working forward to race outside the leader near the mile.

When the leader paced roughly near the 1200m, Howlett took the pacer to the lead and proved too good late for a 1.4m win.

“He is very tough. I had to go early to take out any bad lack.

“I think he will go for a break, but we will sit down and see what’s on,” Howlett said on TasracingTV post-race.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing