The traditional Australia Day meeting at Kensington Park, New Norfolk is on Monday and the $7,000 Norske Skog New Norfolk Cup is the highlight of the seven race card. Put Mback (R6 N1) will be defending his New Norfolk Cup title. After winning last year, the Michael Laugher trained 7YO gelding was winless for 22 starts prior to a St Marys victory on New Years Day.
The time honoured E C Plunkett Memorial is the other main attraction. Mister Smoochy (N1) is a former Victorian now trained by Zeke Slater. The 5YO gelding has an impressive career record of 17 – 3 – 5 – 1 and was a last start second at Melton on 12 December 2014. His dangers may be Strange Conduct (N5) and the 10 metre horses Mighty Jasper (N10), Helen Wheels (N11) and Billabong Bertie (N12).
Three horses are having their first race start or first start in Tasmania. Acey Boy (R2 N5) is a 4YO ex Victorian unplaced at all nine starts. Now trained by Ben Yole, Acey Boy is first up from a 13 month spell.
Time To Ponder (R3 N2) is having her first race start and is trained by Kerry Edwards at Brighton. The 3YO filly was third of seven at the Hobart trials on 17 December behind Followthewind and Origin Billy.
Hes Magic Red (R6 N10) is a 6YO ex New South Wales and Victorian pacer with a career record of 96 – 16 – 16 – 16. Now trained by Ben Yole, Hes Magic Red was beaten 13 metres in a $16,000 M0 at Melton (Vic) on 9 January.
The New Norfolk meeting is not on Sky. An on course Tote will be operating on win, place, quinella and trifecta’s.