Magra based trainer Juanita McKenzie will take three horses to Launceston on Friday night, with her trio all having strong claims in their respective races.
Her first runner is in race three, the second heat of the Harry Holgate Memorial, where she puts the polish on four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding Demand Respect, who has won four of his 12 starts to date.
Reinsman Ricky Duggan has been booked for the drive once again, but the barrier draw hasn’t been ideal, with the pacer drawing inside of the second row in the 2200m event.
“He is a nice horse that should go through his classes, he has a tricky draw on Friday night, but Ricky Duggan will hopefully sort that out, I hope,” said McKenzie.
Although finishing second as the $2.45 fav in Hobart last start, the trainer wasn’t too disappointed with the run given the soft early sectionals that the winner Lorimermajor got in front.
Veteran pacer Issac was placed at odds of $101 in last years Easter Cup behind Scooterwillrev, with the pacer having his fifth start since a break from that performance on Friday.
He lines up in the Dakin Refrigeration Stakes, which is a race restricted to national rating 75 to 105 pacers, with those rated 106 or higher who haven’t won in their last 10 starts also eligible, with those conditions being easier than the pacers last start in the Group 3 Hobart Pacing Cup where he finished 8th behind Willie Go West.
“He was disappointing in the Hobart Cup, but he is back into a winnable race,” said the pacers trainer.
Concession reinsman Jacob Duggan has been booked for the drive.
Young Duggan had his first drive on the gelding two starts ago, when third to Be Major Threat and Izaha, who will start favourite in Friday’s assignment.
“Jacob gets along with him very well,” said McKenzie.
Rounding out McKenzie’s trio is Chasing Cheetahs in the final race of the night, the Tasmanian Horse Transport Pace.
The nine-year-old gelding has had two starts back from a break after a Victorian campaign, which ended on 8 March at Horsham where he was retired from the race after suffering from cardiac arrhythmia.
“He had a few issues when he came back from Victoria, and he has come back quite good.
“It looks a winnable race,” said the trainer with confidence.
The Launceston card commences at 18:29 and will be shown on Sky Racing 2 and TasracingTV.
