Charlie chasing a hat-trick in $50,000 Carousel Final

Sydney trainer Charles Pollicina describes himself as a boutique trainer who is content to fly under the radar in harness racing.

Yet he could find himself in the spotlight in Saturday night’s (Sep. 17) $50,000 Tabcorp Park Menangle feature, the Group 2 Schweppes Carousel final.

Pollicina’s talented gelding Unfazed (Auckland Reactor) will be chasing a hat-trick of wins when Gavin Fitzpatrick guides him in the 2300m race, boasting a talented field of up-and-coming pacers.

Former Victorian Tay Tay, a newcomer to the Jason Grimson barn, has been installed a $3.50 early favourite in the race.

And Grimson has imported Victorian reinsman Alex Ashwood to renew his association with Tay Tay as regular reinsman Cameron Hart will be interstate, competing in an invitational drivers’ series in Adelaide.

While Pollicina knows Tay Tay will be hard to beat, Unfazed has already proven he can match it with these rivals, having won his past two starts in good times and racking up four Menangle wins from his past seven starts.

“I’ve actually had a licence for 40 years and I’ve been training on and off ever since,” explained Pollicina.

“During that time, I’ve mainly trained hand-me-downs, which no one else wanted.

“But I have still had some luck with a couple of horses over the years.

“I have had some of my horses win up to eight races in a season, but for one reason or another, including health, I never trained them and just enjoyed the wins as an owner.

“I’m really looking forward to the night as it’s nice for us small guys, who no-one really hears about, to even get a runner in a Group race like the Carousel.”

The race is one of the most open of the night with Unfazed drawn awkwardly in barrier six, while Tay Tay will have to come from gate nine.

“I think my horse will be at his peak for this race as last week’s win topped him off nicely,” said Pollicina.

“I’ve been busting to get him into a 2300-metre race as he likes the extra ground . . . he has already won a race over 2600m at Addington in New Zealand.

“He is versatile, and although I am finding he likes to sit and wait, then come with one big run, he has also won by leading.

“Tay Tay is in strong form and she must be the one to beat, despite her draw.”

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Court, for HRNSW