Former Victorian pacer Sports Wrack claimed his fourth win since making the trip across Bass Strait when claiming the Nutrien Ag Supplies Pace (1680m) in Launceston on Friday night.
The $6 chance was confidently driven from outside of the front row by Malcom Jones to race outside the leader.
Sports Wrack took over, turning into the home straight, and proved to be strong late by 3.4m to defeat The Iron Lady ($3.10 fav), with Believe In Forever flashing home late to be a further 3.6m away third in a mile rate of 1:58.1s.
“He did a really good job, and he did it really well.
“He was very strong to the line, and his heart rate when he came back indicated there may have been something left in the tank,” said trainer Claire MacDonald about the win.
“He came over with Helluva as the travelling companion (for the Tasmania and Easter Cup’s), and things didn’t go right for Helluva, but everything has gone right for this little fella.
“He is here for as long as I want him,” the trainer explained.
“I think we will go to the Latrobe Cup (in Launceston on 25 May). He will draw the back row now. He is a front-runner that likes to be up in the front half of the field. Well, that’s what his history suggests.”
The pacer is the only horse the MacDonald stable has in work at present.
“It is very much a team effort. Glenn (Armstrong) is getting up early to help, and the kids are a good help these days. We are loving it and the family time together.
“We have been busy since winter last year. We have had up to five horses in work (at one time).
“I have knocked back a couple of Victorians for the next few weeks. I have a few days off from work and a few days away, so one horse is like a holiday,” said the trainer.
It was a good night for MacDonald’s fellow northwest coast-based trainers.
Brett Jaffray prepared Family Reasons ($2.10 fav) to his first win of the season in race three, and Geoff Smith made the trip back home down the Bass Highway after winning the last with Grinning Again ($9).
