Coastal features head down the Bass Highway

21 May 2022 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Logo

Conor Crook is almost Tasmanian harness racing’s latest $2,000,000 man.

Last season’s leading driver  looks set to his stake money earning past the mark in Launceston on Sunday night, as he prepares to embark on a move to Victoria late next month with a team of horses.

Two of his horses set to make the trip are Shannonstheman and Joe Nien, who clash in the CUB Devonport Quality, but the trainer warns punters about his decision to drive Joe Nien is not one that should be read into too much.

“Shannonstheman went good for Rohan the last time they clashed, so I just left him on,” said Conor.

The Rocknroll Hanover gelding is resuming since finishing seventh in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Easter Cup.

“He raced six weeks in a row, so I gave him a fortnight off, he is about 95% going into this, but only over the mile it shouldn’t phase him at all,” said the trainer.

“From the draw, he should be somewhere there on the speed and will give them a scare that’s for sure,” Conor added.

Joe Nien returned to the track from a few weeks off in the Launceston Mile last week, when finishing fifth as the $2 favourite.

“He is a funny horse. If he is on song, he can beat anything, but if he is not he just plods along and runs fourth or fifth, which is what happened last week,” said the trainer.

“Having that run last week, hopefully, he has turned the corner this week,” Conor said.

The richest prize money race of the night is the $14,000 Ladbrokes Sheffield Cup.

The standing start race has had many homes, including on the turf thoroughbred track at Spreyton, and the Devonport Showgrounds.

It even had a short stint on the synthetic gallops circuit at Spreyton in 2013.

Conor prepares Kuyomi in the race, in what the trainer says will likely be the mares last season of racing before heading to the breeding barn.

Other features on the Launceston meeting that have been transferred from the Devonport Harness Racing Club include the Devonport BelmontLeigh Plunkett and the Latrobe Cup.

 

Related News

13 July 2025
Jilliby Ballerini extends winning streak with strong finish at Melton
Jilliby Ballerini capped off a big night at Melton with a dominant display in the Aldebaran Park Trotting Mares Free For All, extending her winning streak to five.
13 July 2025
Chris Lang lets Rubys Dream do the talking at Melton
Chris Lang can readily place his hand on a measuring stick more than most when assessing the potential of a promising young trotter.
13 July 2025
Leaping for fame from another awkward draw
NOT even the worst possible barrier draw should stop champion pacer Leap To Fame from winning a second Inter Dominion pacing final at Albion Park next Saturday night. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon initially shook his head in disbelief when Leap To Fame drew gate one, after having barrier eight (inside the...
13 July 2025
GOODFORM - Ryan's tips, game plan and Quaddie for Cranbourne
Ryan Phelan has done the form for Sunday's 6-race program from Cranbourne harness.
13 July 2025
Loucasso's masterpiece
IT felt like half the crowd erupted when Loucasso blazed his way to victory in last night’s $500,000 Group 1 Protostar at Albion Park. A huge team of 30-plus part-owners through Summit Bloodstock roared as driver Mark Pitt went for home on the final bend and held-on to win by 2.2m over a gallant...
Click for more