In Brief
- Locally trained pacer ready to go for Cup.
- Two scratchings change the front-row line-up.
- Six-race card from 15:36.
Trainer Craig Hayes will be chasing a win in his hometown cup in Burnie on Sunday afternoon when Mister Gently returns from a spell.
The Live Or Die gelding hasn’t been seen since finishing second in the Group 2 Raider Stakes in Devonport in mid-November.
Initially drawing barrier five in the 2789-metre feature, Mister Gently will now start from barrier three after scratchings of two runners drawn inside him.
“He’s in good order, if he doesn’t win, lack of fitness won’t be an excuse,” said Hayes ahead of Sunday’s $12,000 event.
“There’s nothing wrong with the top of the track, I think that’s actually the best place to be,” added Hayes about his barrier in the marathon event where hall of fame reinsman Gareth Rattray has been booked for the drive.
Mister Gently has only had three standing start races, for two wins, all of which have been on the Burnie track.
Bettabrown Tiger starts from barrier two and is having his first standing start race, in what is his first start since joining the Kristy Butler stable.
The six-year-old gelding is first-up since late October and hasn’t been seen in any recent trials.
Recent Devonport Cup Placegetter Tisu Spirit is on the quick back up after racing in Launceston on Friday night and will start inside of the 10-metre handicap runners next to last start Dash For Cash winner Believe In Forever.
Be Major Threat is the sole 20-metre back marker and was second past the post in the Devonport Cup before being relegated to fourth on protest.
Sunday’s Burnie meeting will be live hosted on TasracingTV, while Sky Racing 2 will televise the first four races with the final two events on Sky Racing 1.
The first race is set down for 15:36.
Watch Mister Gently’s last start second in the Group 2 Raider Stakes.