The Lees Orchard Tassie Golden Apple will be held in Launceston on Saturday night for the national rating 80 or better pacers over the 2200m standing start journey.
The meeting also features several other feature races.
Group 3 Bandbox Final
Barbary Tales won the Evicus, the two-year-old fillies leg of the Tasbred series, last year at odds of $81.
In the three-year-old fillies leg, the 6ty° Bandbox in Launceston this Saturday night, she will start as one of the popular picks in betting.
The Steven Davis-trained filly had a two-start campaign in Melbourne last month, where driver Brodie Davis said there were some excuses.
“She didn’t travel over the best, and she didn’t have a lot of luck over there, but she has come back a 10 times better horse,” said Brodie.
Barbary Tales first start back in Tasmania was an 11.5m heat win in the Bandbox in Launceston on 16 November.
“She needed the run, and has come on from it.
Barbary Tales has drawn barrier five in Saturday’s $75,000 final. The Bride, who finished third to her in the heat, has drawn barrier three, while the other heat winner, Smooth Reason, has drawn inside of the second row.
“I will just play it by ear. I’m happy with her going into it, and it’s not the worst draw.”
Brodie will also compete in the four heats of the 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge on Saturday night, rating Ozzie Corka in race nine, as his best winning chance in that series.
Bandbox betting as at 17:00 Friday: $1.90 fav Barbary Tales, $2.20 The Bride, $3.90 Smooth Reason, $16 Itsmenotu, $81+ others.
Group 3 Globe Derby Final
Former Tasmanian, now Victorian-based driver Alex Ashwood, will take the reins on the Emma Stewart-trained Hungry Hippo in the $75,000 event.
Hungry Hippo, who was purchased at the 2023 Nutrien Tasmanian Harness Racing Yearling Sale, has won four of his six starts, with two second placings to his credit.
His most recent win was in the Globe Derby Prelude in Launceston two starts ago.
The gelding has drawn barrier three in the final, with his main rivals Ourtiger drawing one, and Okanui Beach in barrier five.
“I’m happy with his barrier draw, and if he can repeat what he did in the prelude a fortnight ago, he will be hard to hold out,” said Ashwood.
Ashwood, who left Tasmania 14 years ago, is happy with the season he has had in Victoria. He is sixth on the drivers’ premiership and ninth on the trainers’ title in that state.
A few of his 2025 highlights have come with Parisian Artiste, who won a heat of the Inter Dominion in Brisbane, and provided the trainer with his first starter outside of Australia in New Zealand earlier this month.
Off the track, he has been kept busy, welcoming his first child, Levi, with his partner, Tayla French.
Globe Derby betting as at 17:00 Friday: $1.70 fav Hungry Hippo, $2.30 Ourtiger, $5.00 Okanui Beach, $21 Preparation, $31+ others.
Golden Slipper
Driver Jacob Duggan had the pick drives of his father Adrian’s two horses in the no more than two lifetime wins two-year-old event, where he has opted to drive High Believer over Brightly Blaze, with both horses recording wins two starts ago.
High Believer won a heat of the Dandy Patch in Hobart two starts ago, before finishing off well in the final from back in the field to finish fifth.
“I thought he was unlucky, with a bit more clear running, I think he could have been in the finish.
“I have always liked this horse from day dot, I have done everything with him since he was a baby, and he is a horse that keeps on improving,” said Jacob.
High Believer won a Hobart trial on 24 November to “have a blowout” between runs, and has drawn barrier two on the second line in Saturday’s $20,000 event.
“I’m thrilled with the draw, I think it will be ideal, and hopefully we aren’t too far back, and if we are close enough, I have great confidence.
Jacob will also compete in the four heats of the 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge, rating Didyalousaroosta in the opening race as his best winning chance in that series.
Golden Slipper betting as at 17:00 on Friday: 2.80 fav Rocky Stride, Ozzie Pearl $3.30, $4.60 High Believer, $6.50 Soho Tuxedo and A Dragon For Joe, $11+ others.
