In Brief
- Harness trials resume in twilight slot.
- Trial replays available on Tasracing website.
- Trials continue in Launceston on Saturday.
The first set of harness racing trials since the COVID19 suspension of Tasmanian racing takes place at Ladbrokes Park in Hobart on late Wednesday afternoon with four trials set down for decision where there are several nice types going around.
A bonus for the local industry is that harness trials over the next few weeks will be filmed with the replays shown on tasracing.com.au. This will be of great benefit to trainers, drivers, owners and punters who will gain a much greater understanding of a horse’s performance.
Trial One is for the two and three-year-old’s where we see last start Launceston winner Resurgent Rebel go around.
The Roger Whitmore-trained filly hasn’t been seen since 22 March at what was only her second career start and no doubt the daughter of Heston Blue Chip will be aimed at the states feature two-year-old races during the season.
Old Beach trainer Paul Hill has three runners engaged in the trial including the only three-year-old Whos Watching Now who hasn’t been seen since winning on 4 August in Hobart. Most Perfect Major from the Ray Pullen stable has drawn the pole at what will be her first trial, and she is the first horse of racing age out of the Jet Laag mare Jet Black Flyer, the winner of six races.
The second trial is the only trial to be run over 2090 metres for the session. We see this season’s New Norfolk Cup winner Finn Mac Kee line up for his first public hit out this preparation, as well as another New Norfolk trained pacer Resurgent Storm who has won 10 of his 23 starts to date. Other runners in the trial include the consistent Rocket Blaster and Buster Malone, who has had a recent stable change.
A rating 49 to 60 trial is the third event on the card where Ashleys Angel and Alaphilippe get in well on the ratings with their rivals including Royal Reactor, Statement Please and Vladimir Hall who ran a second on debut in May last year before sustaining an injury in the Group 2 Globe Derby Final in Launceston last June.
The final trial of the session sees a field of four go around in a rating 48 to 65 event.
Pockets Of Courage has won eight races including a good win on Tasmania Cup night, and Belligerence who is the winner of nine races are the two class runners of the field.
They take on Rock the Casbolt and Van Der Pole in the 1609-metre trial.
Today’s Hobart trials commence at 16:30 and follows a successful set of thoroughbred trials at Longford yesterday under strict protocols that will be in place again for today’s session.
A further set of harness trials are scheduled for Launceston at 10:30 on Saturday morning before returning to Hobart on Monday.