Wagering service operators believe Sunday afternoon’s Listed Ladbrokes Hobart Pacing Cup (2579m) is a race in two between local hero Triedtotellya, and the sole interstate-trained runner, Mach Dan.
Triedtotellya (pictured) opened up at the extremely generous odds of $5 on Wednesday, before firming into $2.30, sitting on the second line of betting behind Mach Dan, who drifted from his $1.45 opening quote out to $1.65 at the time of writing.
Star Major, who gets his best draw for some time, is the only other runner in single figures.
Trained and driven by Rohan Hillier, Triedtotellya, hasn’t raced since overcoming a 30m handicap to win the Danbury Park Cup in Launceston back on 14 December.
“I think spacing his races will really suit him.
“He has been ticking over nicely,” said Hillier earlier in the week.
Triedtotellya will appreciate returning to mobile start conditions at his fourth run back from a spell, drawing favourably in barrier four.
Mach Dan, who will be driven by Mark Pitt, has drawn barrier seven.
He is a two-time Group 1 winner. Those wins were recorded in 2020 and 2022.
He was winless last season in nine starts, recording two minor placings, but was placed at Melton at his most recent start in 1:52.8s.
Conor Crook has two runners engaged in the race and believes both should not be forgotten.
Magnetic Terror won in track record time at Carrick Park last start.
“It was good to see him bounce back. We had a few niggling issues at home with his feet, and it looked like he was back to his best,” said the trainer.
He lost the driver in the Brighton Cup last Sunday, which was subsequently declared a no race, going approximately half a lap driverless before being captured by the clerk of the course.
“He has come through that fine. He has worked well this week and is ready to go.”
With Jordan Chibnall sidelined due to an injury sustained from being dislodged from the sulky, Gareth Rattray will take the reins on Sunday.
Glenledi Elivs is the longer odds of the Crook pair, but the trainer is happy to put the pen through his past two runs.
“I think he is flying. He was going to put a run in the Danbury Park Cup two starts ago, obviously he wasn’t going to beat Triedtotellya, but he was working into it before finding trouble near the 400m, and then he didn’t go away at Carrick, and if you forget those two runs, prior to that he did break the 2200m track record in Launceston.
“Off his work at home, he is flying so hopefully he can put his best foot forward,” said Crook about the pacer who will be driven by Mark Yole.
“It will be an interesting race early. There have been some interesting comments this week about who has gate speed and who will use it. I guess we will see when they turn the green light on.
“It is the strongest Free For All feature I have seen in Tasmania for a fair while,” said Crook.
Sunday afternoon’s program also includes the time-honoured Paul Belcher @ Roberts Real Estate New Norfolk Cup, which returns to the traditional pacing track after being held on the thoroughbred track in recent years.
