Tasmania’s two-year-old pacers will step out for the first time under race conditions in Launceston on Friday night.
There were six final acceptors for the $14,000 event over 1680m, which will be the second of seven races.
Recent Hobart trial winners Peters The Dream and Bettor Than Ready, both from the Tammy Langley stable, head early betting, with the Langley stable also represented by Kelch, who qualified for racing when third in a Bendigo trial in mid-December.
Carrick-based trainer Neville Rattray has two runners engaged, Soul Of Karalta and Our Rob Roy, both of whom have been placed in recent trials at Carrick Park.
The only trainer without multiple runners in the race is East Devonport’s Damien Saunders, who will be chasing his first win as a trainer with Bettys Girl.
Saunders took out his trainer’s licence in the 2023 season and has spent just over 20 years working for the Maxfield family.
Bettys Girl, a full sister to 2024 Dandy Patch winner Okanui Beach, was placed at her only trial at Carrick Park on 23 February, when defeated 6.2m by three-year-old Poster Storm, who ran a mile rate of 2:02.2s.
“Brodie (Davis, driver) was happy with her trial, and I was pleased with it as well,” said Saunders.
“We took her up to Launceston on Tuesday and gave her a look around, and she handled it very well, and we hope she goes well on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Maxfield family will be hoping their 10-year-old marvel, Max Delight, can book a spot in the upcoming $1m Miracle Mile when he lines up in this week’s qualifying races at Menangle on Saturday night.
Max Delight finished fifth in last year’s Miracle Mile behind Don Hugo and will contest the Bioworma Sprint on Saturday night from barrier four.
