Due to the way Easter falls on the calendar this year, the Tasmania Cup was moved to February, but that isn’t the only change for the 2579m event.
The race, which has undergone four start type changes in the past, will return to a mobile start in 2026 and will be a random barrier draw.
Dalton Shard had competed in several feature races, the last of which was a win in 1:55.5 seconds at Addington at the end of February.
The six-year-old Always B Miki gelding had one trial during a spell in Victoria when trained by Dean Braun, before joining the Michael Laugher stable for his Tasmanian Campaign.
His Australian debut was in the Devonport Cup at Launceston on January 31, where he started from a 30-metre handicap in the 2698-metre standing start race, when he returned to the field to flash home and finish second.
“He was doing quite well and I was happy with him. You couldn’t have asked him to do better.”
“I’m a little disappointed with the draw (barrier seven) this week, so hopefully he’ll have better luck next time,” said Michael.
“Dean Braun had done all the work with him in Victoria and sent him home ready to go, and we just have to keep him at the same level.”
Michael’s son, Jack, returns home from Victoria to take on the ride after recently becoming the seventh Tasmanian driver to reach 1,000 wins.
“It’s a pretty good effort. He puts in a lot of hours, a lot of work and a lot of travel there.”
Triedtotellia, one of the leading contenders for the 2025 Tasmanian Horse of the Year, has been named the short-priced favourite, with his chances boosted by drawing barrier one.
Trainer-driver Rohan Hillier opted to miss the Devonport Pacing Cup with the six-year-old gelding, where he was expected to start with a significant handicap.
Triedtotellia has not raced since taking 1.7 seconds off the 2579-meter track record, jointly held by Kingman and Willie Go West, on January 11.
The first six placegetters in heat one will qualify for the final, with another heat of the Tasmania Cup scheduled for February 20, before the $150,000 Group 1 final on February 28.
Friday’s card starts at 5:02pm, with races three and four shown on Sky Racing 1, while the remaining races are shown on Sky Racing 2.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
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