A massive 12 race card of harness racing is scheduled for Tattersalls Park (Hobart) on Sunday twilight. It is the maximum number of races that can be conducted and it is the first time the limit has been achieved since August 2006 when three Sunday twilight harness meetings reached the 12 race limit.
A highlight of the meeting is the number of acceptors for the two year old. A record 22 horses accepted for the 2C0/2C1 and Tasracing responded by providing funding for two divisions.
An interesting aspect of the meeting is the involvement of two mainland trainers, Jack Kendell and Tony Pullicino. Kendall trains the five year old mare Im Redoubtable. A recent purchase from New Zealand, Im Redoubtable won four races from 31 starts in New Zealand before her Victorian debut in Aril 2011. Eight runs in Australia have resulted in one win at Geelong. Her last three starts have been in strong company at Tabcorp Park (Melton) where she has failed to worry the placegetters.
Im Redoubtable is in Race 4 where the Rohan Hillier trained and driven Thirsty Mach is aiming for seven wins from nine starts this season. Gamblers Rustler is another with good recent form.
Tony Pullicino has been a regular visitor to Tasmanian over the last five years and he returns on Sunday with last start Wagga winner Quick Armbro in Race 5. Prior to the Wagga victory, Quick Armbro raced in seven claimers in Victoria with a second placing at Warragul being the best result.
Like Im Redoubtable, Quick Armbro has to confront a smart horse from the Rohan Hillier stable. Star mare Shez Ryleymak returns from an injury enforced four month spell. A winner of 21 of her 44 lifetime starts for $256,000 in stakes, Shez Ryleymak looks well handicapped off the front mark following a last start MO win at Tabcorp Park (Melton).
The first nine races will be on Sky 1 and races 10 – 12 will be on Sky 2.
Submitted by Kevin Neilson