Tasmanian Derby runner-up Collective Works returns to Tasmania on Sunday night, where he will contest the second and final heat of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Tasmania Cup (2579m).
Trainer Carson Millar decided after the Derby effort, where he ran his last half in 54.89s, the quickest last half mile recorded on Tasracing’s Calculated Sectionals since they have been recorded from 2016, that he would aim the four-year-old gelded son of Art Major at the state’s premier race.
“He was impressive when I visited you guys last time, which is one reason I have decided to come back.
“He certainly didn’t mind the longer trip in the Derby, so I thought after that race I could get him qualified from the stand and come back and give it a crack,” said Millar.
The pacer qualified from a standing start when winning a Melton trial on 28 January when commencing his current campaign and has had four starts since, with his most recent effort coming in the Boort Cup, where he won by 4.1m in track record time before losing the race in the stewards room. It was deemed the pacer had gained an unfair advantage in the middle stages of the race when after galloping the horse regained its correct gait whilst in the sprint lane, and had then been driven forward on the sprint lane to rejoin the field and find the lead.
“He was good at Boort. He has worked and trained on since then, and I expect a forward showing on Sunday.
“He pinged the tapes in his only trial at Melton, he was back on 30m by himself, so I was impressed with that.
Millar has given driving responsibilities to former Tasmanian, now Victorian-based driver Jack Laugher.
“I told Jack (Laugher) that he could drive if he was willing to commit to the heat and final. He is a really good young driver.”
Millar has only two horses in his care, juggling his team with his full-time job as a train driver.
The first seven placegetters in Sunday’s heat qualify for next Saturday’s $150,000 Group 1 Final.
Sunday’s card features 10 races, commencing at 16:20.
Tasracing Live will show all races, while Sky Racing 2 will televise the first three events, with the last seven races to be shown on Sky Racing 1.
