Gordons Bay chasing first spot in Tasmania Cup

There is little stress for connections of the seven runners in Friday night’s first heat of the Group 1 Tasmania Cup in Hobart.

All seven runners automatically qualify for the $150,000 Group 1 Final, providing they complete the 2579m trip.

Longford trainer-driver Todd Rattray is represented in the opening heat by former New South Wales pacer Gordons Bay (Captaintreacherous).

The six-year-old gelding had his third start in the state when leading all the way at Carrick on Sunday, to record his 13th career win. However, Rattray revealed there may have been excuses for a few of his previous efforts.

“He probably should be going better than what he has, but I think all my horses have had a bit of a virus (of late).

Rattray said the gelding was sent to the state for some of the main standing start races, with the pacer only having one standing start race.

“We thought his manners from a stand would have been a bit better, and some of these stands were his main aim.

“He is getting a little bit better (at going away) at home over the last couple of weeks,” said Todd.

Todd has respect for many runners in the race.

“Star Major will be hard to beat.

“Mickey Oh is going really well, and there are a few others in there that are going well, so he will have to have a good run to run with those horses. But if he does get the right run, he will be in the finish.

Todd is overseeing the preparation of Star Major for his brother James for the Tasmania Cup series.

“I think he is a pretty nice horse that has been working well at home,” Todd said.

Friday’s meeting also features a heat of the state’s premier mares race, the George Johnson, which has attracted a field of five.

A further heat of the Tasmania Cup and George Johnson will be held in Hobart on 25 February before the finals on Saturday night, 2 March.

This Friday’s meeting commences at 17:58 and will be shown on TasracingTV and Sky Racing 2.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing