De Filippi trained pacer seeking a return to form

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Heza Sport began his career with a bang and trainers Colin and Julie De Filippi are hoping he can return to form at Addington Raceway on Thursday.

The four-year-old gelding won his first four starts and finished runner-up in his next two outings behind Taipo and Group One winner It’s All About Faith.

He has subsequently failed to feature in his following four starts but Colin De Filippi, who also owns the son of Sportswriter, believes they have got on top of a few niggly issues that had been plaguing Heza Sport.

“I would like to think we are back on track with him,” De Filippi said.

“He has had a couple of wee issues, but nothing major, which I like to think we are on top of now.”

De Filippi is looking forward to heading back to the races with his charge on Thursday but said it has been hard to get a line on Heza Sport in the lead-up.

“I am happy enough with him, but Heza Sport is not a great worker, so it is a bit hard to get a guide on him,” he said.

While not expecting his gelding to win the Coca-Cola Mobile Pace (2600m) on Thursday, De Filippi is hoping he can feature with a soft run from his ace draw.

“He hasn’t been off the place and had a trial (since his last run on February 7) so chances are he is going to be a run short,” he said.

“The main reason I am starting him is because he needs racing and the fact it was a preferential draw, so he was going to draw one.

“Hopefully we are going to get a soft trip on the fence and run home well.

“I don’t expect him to win, but if he can run a place I will be happy.”

Meanwhile, De Filippi’s reported his other runner on Thursday Let’s Go Ringo is unlikely to line-up in the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. Pace (2600m).

“At this stage Lets Go Ringo has got an abscess in his foot so his is a doubtful starter,” he said.

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