Nine events will be staged by the Tasmanian Pacing Club at Elwick on Monday night. The features are the two preludes of the two year old Sires Stakes Series, the Dandy Patch Stakes and the Evicus Stakes.
The $10,000 prelude of the Evicus Stakes has brought together a field of eleven fillies. The testing material in the race is the all-conquering Chica Bella. This filly won four in a row before the Premiers Blue Bonnet at Launceston recently. Chica Bella was leading the field in that race when the sulky tyre came off and wrapped around the wheel forcing her retirement. Chica Bella has drawn the outside of the second row due to the conditions of the race, which is a barrier draw on assessment. Chica Bella will be driven by Ricky Duggan for trainer Paul Hill.
The only other winner in the race is the Melissa Maine trained Itz Gemmas Delight, a recent winner at Devonport. She will have the services of the state leading reinsman Gareth Rattray. Victorian trainer David Miles has brought the unraced After Lunch over for the race. This daughter of Major In Art was bred by Fred and Pauline Barker of Beaconsfield. Other fillies with recent place form are Karalta Stardust, Shesastandout, and Guesstamate but they have to improve to trouble Chica Bella.
Hillview Jake looks the testing material in the $10,000 prelude of the Dandy Patch Stakes for two year old colts and geldings. Hillview Jake, a stablemate of Chica Bella, has won his last four starts. The race is more open than the fillies prelude. Others that have good winning chances include the last start winner Origin Cronk, who ran a close second to Hillview Jake in the final of the $20,000Sweepstakes when a state record time for juveniles of 1:57.8 was established. The well-bred Ryley Major has not had much luck in his last two races and should also run well. Rockin An Runnin was a close third last time out following an impressive win.
Chica Bella and Hillview Jake are very closely related. Both are by Cardmaster Hanover from half-sisters.