Karoola-based trainer Conor Crook has qualified three runners for the Apple Isle’s only Group 1 equine race. Saturday night’s $150,000 Ladbrokes Tasmania Pacing Cup in Hobart.
Crook qualified Maebee, Magnetic Terror and Glenledi Elvis for the 2579m event. The race has reverted to a mobile start after being run as a stand for the past seven years.
“We aimed three at it, and it probably helped that the second heat didn’t have that many in it, and we are happy to get them all through.
“They are all very even hopes. It will probably come down to who gets the best run,” said Crook.
Maebee has turned out to be a bargain buy for Crook, only missing a place in one of 10 starts since joining his stable, with his biggest win coming in the Listed Devonport Pacing Cup that was held in Launceston, two starts ago.
“I can’t fault him. He has been up for a while and continues to raise the bar,” said Conor.
The Bettors Delight gelding finished 13.1m behind The Shallows in the second heat of the Tasmania Cup on 20 February. The trainer expects the pacer to improve from that run.
“He had an easy 10 days after the Devonport Cup, so he was a little bit short in the heat, and I expect him to be better on Saturday.
“Six of the seven (off the front row) will probably look to go forward. We will all probably have the same plan in trying to find the fence, knowing they will probably run a 55s last half. We will just come out and see what happens and play it by ear,” said Crook, who will also drive the pacer.
Magnetic Terror qualified in the first heat of the series, when taking the shortcuts to finish sixth, with the pacer winning five of his 11 starts in Hobart.
“He was okay (in his heat). I expect him to be better on Saturday. He was a bit like Maebee and got away from us a little bit, and he has had a couple of weeks (after the first heat) to screw down instead of the one,” said the trainer.
Glenledi Elvis rounds out Crook’s trio, with the gelding having two runs back from a month away from the track.
“He was on the quick back-up (in last week’s heat) and needed that run. He probably has the most ability of my three, but comes up with the worst draw.
“Sorting the drivers was pretty easy, I own Maeebee, so I had to drive him, and I think I suit him. Jordy (Chibnall) suits Magnetic Terror, Liam Older will suit Glenledi Elvis,” said Crook.
Maebee, along with short-price favourite Treidtotellya are two of six horses eligible for a $20,000 bonus put up by the Tasmanian Trotting Club for the winner if they are Tasmanian-bred or have been in the state for six months, and have been fully Tasmanian-owned for the past 12 months.
Crook will also be chasing success with Ultimaction in the Listed Woodlands Stud George Johnson (2090m), the state’s premier mares race, which has only attracted a field of six.
Ultimaction is second-up from a spell, with the mare galloping out badly in a standing start event when first-up on 15 February, which saw her defeated 106m.
“It wasn’t the most ideal lead-up run going into a George Johnson, missing the start and chasing, but her work at home seems good, and she should find the top and take some running down,” said Crook about the mare who will be driven by Jordan Chibnall.
Saturday’s nine-race card commences at 18:11, with the first two races to be shown on Sky Racing 2, with the remaining races, including the Tasmania Cup at 21:00, on Sky Racing 1.
