$150,000 Group 1 Tasmania Cup runner preview

The 2023 Ladbrokes Tasmania Cup holds the title as Australia’s richest harness racing standing start-pacing race, and it is the only Group 1 equine race in Tasmania for the year.

Heats have been held over the past two weeks, and both have been ran in two different styles.

Check In won the first heat on 5 March in the quickest heat time, a race which driver Mark Yole applied catch me if you can tactics, similar to what he did when winning the Tasmania Cup last year with Gotta Good Reason.

Heat two was won by Wheres The Gold in a sit-sprint style of race.

The feature event will be held in Hobart and is race six on the card, set down to start at 21:04.

1. The Raconteur (Art Major)
Trainer: Emma Stewart
Driver: Allan McDonough

He was a Melton winner in 1m 54.7s three starts ago and fifth in the opening heat when sent out the race favourite. He raced outside the leader in what was the quickest of the two heats held. One of the chances again.

2. Major Davvin (Art Major)
Trainer: Steven Davis
Driver: Brodie Davis

He was sent out $101 in last week’s heat, where he was only a neck from second spot, after having a soft run on the pegs. Will need luck on his side here.

3. Young Rooster (Well Said)
Trainer: Ben Yole
Driver: Robert Walters

Had a brief freshen-up after failing to beat a runner home in the Hobart Cup two starts ago. He resumed with two trials before finishing fourth in his heat. He should strip fitter but comes up against a quality field.

4. Stravinsky (Sunshine Beach)
Trainer: Bianca Heenan
Driver: Nathan Ford

He was racing out of class when he was third to Wheres The Gold last week at his first standing start try, where his manners weren’t to flash early. Did win a $30,000 race at Melton five starts ago, first four hope on that run with right trip.

5. Similan Beach (Somebeachsomewhere)
Trainer: Kristy Butler
Driver: Paul Hill

Injury-plagued pacer who returned from a 19-month break last year and claimed the Brighton Cup and Launceston Mile. Second-up here, credit to those involved to get him back to this level.

6. Boom (Alta Christiano)

Trainer: Todd Rattray
Driver: Gareth Rattray

Former Kiwi who had been racing well at Menangle before being transferred to the Rattray stable. Scratched from a race here on 19 February due to a virus, expect improvement on a last start second when first-up for two months.

7. Check In (Mach Three)
Trainer: Ben Yole
Driver: Mark Yole

Before arriving in NSW, he raced at a high level in New Zealand. Connections sent the pacer to Tasmania as they believed he was not suited to the Menangle style of racing. He placed in several country cups this year and won the first heat, where he bowled along in the lead to score in the strongest heat. Draws the car park and is in the mix with a clean getaway.

8. Colby Sanz (Betterthancheddar)
Trainer: Kent Rattray
Driver: Kayleb Williams

Announced himself as an open-class prospect in Tasmania with a solid fourth in last year’s Group 1 Easter Cup. Distance is no worry as he won the Burnie Cup over 2789m earlier this year. Good trailing draw here and is worth consideration.

9. Wheres The Gold (Somebeachsomewhere)
Trainer: Emma Stewart
Driver: Mark Pitt

Travel plans weren’t ideal when arriving in the state on race day when he led all the way to win last week’s heat. The overall time was slower but was first-up since mid-January. He has won five of six since arriving in Australia. Looks the one to beat, but is he too short in early markets?

10. Cullenburn (Christian Cullen) (10m)
Trainer: Ben Yole
Driver: Tim Yole

Hasn’t been able to recapture his excellent form when arriving from across the Tasman. He failed to qualify in heat one, before being able to scrape through in heat two. Has been unplaced in six starts this preparation. Will need a lot to go his way.

11. Cool Water Paddy (Ohoka Arizona) (20m)
Trainer: Juanita McKenzie
Driver: Ricky Duggan

He recently returned to Tasmania after a preparation in WA, which included a win four starts ago. Second up in the state here at a track he has won 10 of his 21 starts at. The handicap makes it challenging but a chance if he recaptures his best form.

12. Rackemup Tigerpie (Rock N Roll Heaven) (20m)
Trainer: Ian Stanley
Driver: Mitch Ford

He was in the market in this race last year, copping a check soon after the start and finishing midfield. He showed he was getting back to some of his better form in the opening heat, where he finished off well, and was the only horse to break 30s for their last quarter in that heat. One of the chances.

13. Be Major Threat (Art Major) (30m)
Trainer: Tammy Langley
Driver: Dylan Ford

Put together back-to-back wins over the mile last month. He struggled to get into the race from his handicap in the first heat and finished sixth in the second heat, when recording the quickest last half of the meeting in 56.23s. Handicap makes it tough with a capacity field, one to consider for those looking for a roughie.

14. Harjeet (Rocknroll Hanover) (30m)
Trainer: Todd Rattray
Driver: Todd Rattray

He has won many of the state’s feature races, but this one is missing from his resume. He is racing better than his numerical form reads in two starts back this prep. First-up there was a gear issue which caused some issues over the final lap. However, he didn’t lose any admirers in his heat, where he finished off well coming from last at the 1100m. A capacity field of quality and back mark are not ideal, but he has the talent to overcome that if the race is run to suit.

15. The Shallows (Shadyshark Hanover) (Emg) (30m)
Trainer: Heath Woods
Driver: Heath Woods

He is a former winner of this race and has a good record on the Hobart track. Handicaps in standing start races haven’t made it easy for him in recent preparations.

Duncan Dornauf’s top four selections:

1. Wheres The Gold (9)
2. Rackemup Tigerpie (12)
3. Colby Sanz (8)
4. Check In (7)

Best Bet: Race 1 – 12. Lynryd Skynryd

Multi Must: Race 7 – 1. Major Grace and Race 8 – 9. The Only Decision

Roughie: Race 2 – 1. Halis Boy

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing