Craig set to dance if Tango claims the cup

Craig Hoban is hoping he can lead Tangoingwithsierra (Sportswriter) into the winner’s stall for the first time as the mare’s harness racing trainer in Friday night’s Moama Bowling Club Echuca Pacing Cup.

Hoban, who bred and owns her, has only thrown the harness on her at the races for the past six starts.

Tangoingwithsierra was previously trained by Hoban’s father Gary, who passed away after a short battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in November last year.

“She is racing so well without much luck and deserves to win a good race since coming back from a long layoff due to injury,” Hoban said.

“She has fractured both back hocks – the first one after finishing third in a heat of the Victoria Oaks and then again after winning at Melton in late 2021.”

Last month, Hoban ventured to Sydney with Tangoingwithsierra who was unlucky not to qualify for the Group 1 Ladyship Mile after finishing fifth behind Braeview Kelly in the Sibelia Stakes.

“I thought she would get in because she ran the fastest fifth in the two preludes, but they took it on prizemoney won,” he said.

“I really took her up there for Dad.”

Tangoingwithsierra was an unlucky second in the Ian Daff Memorial at Melton last Saturday night after being placed behind A Gs White Socks in the Geelong Rocket.

“The reason for her recent form is putting her in the cart every day, she loves racing and is such a competitive horse,” he said.

Hoban said he will leave it up to driver Greg Sugars to navigate a path from a second row draw.

“Greg is one of the best drivers going around and I’ll leave it up to him to get a good run and be there at the finish, and she should handle the track alright,” he said.

The Emma Stewart-trained Idyllic finished only a couple of metres behind Better Eclipse in the Group 3 City Of Melton Plate last week and should be nearing peak fitness after two runs back from a spell.

Western Sonador, who is resuming from a break, appears well placed off the front row for a Group 1 Newcastle Mile, Shepparton Gold Cup and Vicbred (4YO E&G) Final placegetter.

The Arch Electrical Group Echuca Trotters Cup will see Nephew Of Sonoko looking to overcome a mammoth 50m handicap for trainer-driver Ross Graham, while the Tiffany Murray Memorial Pace for the female drivers is another headline race on Friday’s card.

Rob Auber, Jason Bonnington, Toby McKinnon and caller Lachlan McIntosh will be trackside to take you through the feature meeting at TrotsVision.com.au.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria