Burns pair ready to go at Melton

Damien Burns will prepare a two-pronged harness racing attack on Saturday night’s TAB Premier Two-Year-Old Stakes at Melton Entertainment Park.

The 43-year-old trainer-driver is confident both of his colts in Stormy Woods (The Storm Inside) and Hesitate (Sportswriter) are ready to go.

“They are both in terrific shape and we will know a little bit more after tonight,” he said.

“Stormy Woods will go to Ballarat tonight. I expect him to run a real good race, go real close to winning and back it up Saturday night.

“Couldn’t be happier with them.”

The short 48-hour back-up for Stormy Woods shouldn’t be an issue.

“With Stormy Woods, the work and everything doesn’t worry him. He is quite mature for his age,” Burns said.

“The short back-up won’t worry him at all and could even benefit him. With most two-year-olds, I would say you wouldn’t back them up.”

Hesitate will head into the $20,000 race on Saturday night with a perfect one-from-one record after winning the TAB Download The App Pace on January 29.

The Snake Valley trainer has long been a fan of giving horses an early start to their racing careers.

“I like starting them early and especially colts. Once they are in the stable and in the system, they are a bit easier to look after,” he said.

“When you put them in the paddock or you put them out too long, they could get hurt. I just keep on going with them and if they show ability, I keep on pressing on.”

Burns will drive Hesitate as a part-owner of the horse, while champion reinsman Chris Alford will team up with Stormy Woods.

“Stormy Woods is more of a fool-proof horse then Hesitate. Not that there’s anything wrong with him (Hesitate), but he has got a few more tricks up his sleeve,” he said.

Stormy Woods has gate two and Hesitate three for the 1720m contest.

“I will just go by the horse. I know Stormy Woods has got a lot of gate speed, so I guess he will use a bit of that,” Burns said. “I might chance my arm and go off my horse at the time.”

Hesitate will likely start a short favourite with the Wayne Potter-prepared Uncle Trev ($3.80) the predicted second elect.

The TAB Premier 2YO Stakes is the fourth race on the Melton card and is set to go at 8.06pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria