Denwen looking to Dance in Tassie Golden Apple

On 28 May this year, Kelly Reggett had her first starters as a harness racing trainer in Launceston and prepared a winner with All For Dave.

Fast forward to Sunday night in Launceston, and she will be chasing her second Group 3 race when Denwen Dancer (Sutter Hanover) lines up in the Lees Orchard Tassie Golden Apple (2200m).

The Sutter Hanover entire spent one year and 11 months away from the track due to a suspensory injury, and in four starts back, he has recorded two wins and two placings, including a 6.2m second to the Victorian-trained Major Moth in a heat last week.

“We are really happy, he has got through those four runs and has stayed sound. That was his main aim for this prep, and he has done that. And, I have been happy with everything he has done,” said Reggett.

The heat run was Denwen Dancer’s first try in open-class company and was only his second standing start try in a 16-start career that has included seven wins.

“He did handle it well (at his first try in open class), and he was also racing out of class. The stand has been a bit of an issue. He drew one (in his heat), and it isn’t the best of draws for a horse with inexperience (at the standing starts), so I am a lot happier with the draw this week to have other horses around him.

“I was happy with his heat run. He got a bit of a check on the home turn, and it took a bit of momentum to pick his pace back up again. But I was pleased he was taking ground off the winner,” the trainer said.

Reggett said it was hard to give instructions in standing start races.

“Dylan (Ford, driver) knows the horse well, and it will all be in his hands.

“The start is the most important part, but if he can step and gets luck then he will be competitive.

“It’s a quality field for the final. Mickey Oh went enormous last week when first up in a free-for-all, and there are some good horses in that field,” said the trainer.

The Launceston card commences at 17:10 on Sky Racing 2, with the remaining races on Sky Racing 1.

All races will be streamed on TasracingTV with Matt Reid and Adrian Collins.

Sunday’s Launceston lineup

Race 1 – 17:10 Brian “Davo” Davidson Memorial,
Race 2 – 17:55 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge Heat 1,
Race 3 – 18:22 Bevan Lee’s Butchery Golden Girls,
Race 4 – 18.57 Faithful Park Stud Golden Slipper,
Race 5 – 19:27 Nutrien Ag Solutions Globe Derby Final (Group 3),
Race 6 – 20:02 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge Heat 2,
Race 7 – 20:37 Lees Orchard Tassie Golden Apple (Group 3),
Race 8 – 21:10 6ty° Bandbox Final (Group 3),
Race 9 – 21:42 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge Heat 3,
Race 10 – 22:10 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge Heat 4.

Start times are correct at the time of publication.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing