Victorians eyeing Tassie Group 3 features

Victorian harness racing driver Abbey Turnbull will be chasing her second Group 3 Tassie feature when she teams up with Okanui Beach (Downbytheseaside), who is trained by her father Craig in the $60,000 Dandy Patch Final (2090m) for the Tasbred Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings in Hobart on Saturday night.

The pair combined to win the 2022 Tasmanian Derby with Hiranya.

Okanui Beach was bred in the state by Mick Maxfield, who sold the Downbytheseaside colt at last year’s APG Melbourne sale for $20,000.

After having no luck in his Dandy Patch heat two starts ago, Okanui Beach was able to break his maiden in Hobart last Sunday when leading all the way to score in a maiden event by 11.5m, dashing his last quarter at the end of the mile event in 27.3s, with driver Abbey delighted with the effort.

“It took the pressure off a bit, getting his Tasbred bonus. But we couldn’t have been any happier with the way he raced, and it was a perfect lead-up to the Final this weekend.

“He has got a good turn of foot, but he is still figuring out what it is all about. He is only a bit of a baby still,” the driver said.

The pacer has come up with the pole draw in the 2090m final.

“He has a bit of gate speed, so we couldn’t be happier with the draw.

“There are a couple in it that go well and have to be respected,” Abbey added.

The father-daughter duo has two other runners engaged on the program, including the impressive Launceston winner from two weeks ago, Binalong Week, who won in a slick 1:56.2s.

Binalong Week, a gelded son of Always B Miki, has drawn barrier three in a rating 64 to 79 event over 2090m.

“He has only had a handful of starts and is very green himself. Dad has always had a good opinion of him. He has some leg issues that we need to keep an eye on, and he is an exciting horse,” Abbey said.

The pair also have Bet Sheza Lady engaged earlier in the night. The mare being runner-up in two starts in the state.

Saturday’s card also includes the Tasmanian Derby (2579m) and Tasmanian Oaks (2090m), with Emma Stewart preparing both favourites with Waterfront and Kingman.

Races 1 to 3 will be televised on Sky Racing 2, with races 4-10 on Sky Racing 1.

Extended coverage will be on Tasracing Live and Sky Racing Active with Duncan Dornauf.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing