Harness racing heads to Carrick Park on Sunday afternoon for the first of three meetings over the summer months at the popular country venue with nine races on the card and there is plenty to look forward to.
Race four is the first of two heats of the Bramich Bulldozing Trainers Incentive, where Bridport based trainers Kate MacLeod and Rohan Hadley play a firm hand.
Bandbox heat winner Machbev (Pictured) represents MacLeod in the race for horses with less than $25,000 in prizemoney earnings that are trained by trainers who have won 10 or fewer races this season.
The daughter of Mach Three has won two of her starts and should appreciate a drop back in class after running sixth in the Group 2 Bandbox Final at her last outing.
Hadley trains and drives Auntie Connie who has drawn barrier three and is another dropping back from the Bandbox series where she was only 15.3 metres behind Blame It On Me in the $50,000 final, this is her third start for her current preparation.
Conor Crook will take the reins on the other Hadley trained runner in the race, Heza Sport, who still hasn’t got out from last start where he sat three back the pegs.
In Heat Two, the Leigh Rand – Ben Parker combination will be chasing another win when they team up with four-year-old mare Aussie Rock.
The pacer is second-up today after a strong second placing in Burnie last time out when coming from back in the field in a race that was suited to those up on the speed.
Two starts ago the mare showed good speed to lead from the pole and no doubt Parker will try and position the mare in a forward position.
Other highlights on the Carrick Park card included the Rohan Hillier trained two-year-old debutant Tommy Hillfigure in race three.
The A Rocknroll Dance gelding is a half-brother to Ryley Major and has won three of his four trials to date, with two of those victories coming on the Carrick Park track.
The quaddie starts in race five, a rating 60 to 70 event where Racketeers Boy will be chasing his third win in the state since arriving from New Zealand.
Trained and driven by Troy Hillier, the Rocknroll Hanover gelding is on a path to next month’s Golden Apple.
His dangers today include recent Hobart trial winner Watchmylips who has built up an impressive record of four wins and three placings from seven starts, while Somedan must be respected from the front row draw.
The meeting commences at 15:55, and the first three races will be shown on Sky Racing 2 with the last six on Sky Racing 1.
Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing