The race was originally scheduled as a conditioned handicap for horses with up to seven wins, but was changed to a national rating 50 or better event after a lack of nominations, with new nominations accepted under the changed conditions.
The Circular Head Cup was added by the Burnie Harness Racing Club following growing interest in hosting a race meeting that broadens and encompasses Burnie’s western demographic.
Trainer-driver Kyle Pratten will attempt to win the first run with consistent 11-year-old gelding Loyola Trios, who has drawn outside the front row in the $14,000 Standing Start event.
The pacer has won 19 races, with his most recent victory coming from a 20m handicap at Scottsdale earlier this month, with the gelding finishing no further than fourth in six consecutive starts.
“At Scottsdale we put him in a sub-30-foot class because we knew he would make up for that pretty quickly. We originally had him in the 45 or better on Sunday, but when the 50 or better was bumped up to $14,000 we opted to go there.”
“He is in good shape at the moment and he is also very good from a position,” said Pratten.
The Mach Three The gelding’s most recent effort was a third place at Carrick Park on February 22 after re-establishing himself in the field.
“In terms of speed, he couldn’t run with Hey Miki at the back, but he still broke 29.0 seconds in his last quarter, five wide on a wet track, so I couldn’t have asked for much more. He stuck his nose out this time and finished third instead of fourth,” said Pratten, who expects the pacer to perform well on Sunday.
“I think he has a good chance. Alberio will be the leader and if he is close enough, I don’t think there are too many horses in the race that can rip off the quarters that he can.
“I know he’s moved out of the front line and a lot of people don’t like to sign there, but the way he’s racing it leaves us with a few options: we can slide across and even if we get back into the field where he likes to race, he can step and put himself in a good position too,” said the trainer-pilot.
Sunday’s program starts at 2:44 PM and at the time of writing the first six races are scheduled for Sky Racing 2, while the final race can be seen on Sky Racing 1.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
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