Trainer Conor Crook is hoping his consistent form can continue in Launceston on Saturday night, when Maebee lines up in the Group 3 $50,000 Lees Orchard Tassie Golden Apple (2200m).
Crook prepared last year’s Golden Apple winner, Glenledi Elvis (pictured).
This year, he prepares six-year-old gelding Maebee, a former Tasmanian pacer who had been racing in New South Wales and Queensland before being purchased by Crook.
“The N40 group brought him at some stage, and they had a problem with him in Queensland, and then he was advertised, and with him racing down here as a young horse, we knew him pretty well and took the punt on him, and so far so good,” said Crook.
Maebee had his first start for Crook in a heat of the Golden Apple on 16 November, when runner-up to Iron Clad.
“We expected that he would need the run, and we have made a few gear changes for the final, so hopefully he can do the job,” said Crook.
The pacer galloped out in the standing start event before quickly regaining a pace to settle behind the leader.
“It was uncharacteristic for him (galloping out). He is usually pretty good from a stand. Hopefully, if he is on speed somewhere, he should be right in the finish. There are about three or four there off the front that can win, and the others are out the back, so hopefully we can take advantage of that.
“He is a bit of a floater, and he is a horse that only does what he has to. We raced him in an open bridle in the heat, and Gareth (Rattray) said he wanted to float during the turn when Iron Clad got a break on us, so the hood is back on this week.
Tassie Golden Apple Betting as at 16:00 Thursday: $2.00 Heza Punk Rocker, $3.40 Triedtotellya, $7.00 Maebee, Iron Clad and Star Major, $26 + others.
Crook also provided comments on his other runners on the program, including Ozzie Pearl in the Ladbrokes Golden Slipper.
“She just needs a bit of luck, and she will win one. On her trackwork here, suggest she is better off with a helmet.
Ultimaction will contest the Brian (Davo) Davidson Memorial.
“It will be interesting early, Fun To Love has got good form from the pole, and we tend to race one way, and that’s flat out for the last 1200m.
“She has come on from the Dynamo.”
While Ozzie Corka will line up from the pole in the 6ty° Youngbloods Heat Three.
“He looks the winner again, touch wood, he has got a good draw, drawn a good driver, and it’s a similar field to last week.
Saturday night’s card also includes the 6ty° Bandbox and the Nutrien Ag Solutions Globe Derby, both at Group 3 level for the Tasbred Three Year Old’s.
