Harness racing returns to the state’s north-west coast for the first time in just over seven months when the Burnie Harness Racing Club stages a seven-race card at the Wivenhoe Paceway on Friday night.
Latrobe-based trainer Melisa Maine has two runners engaged at the meeting, in the first and last race, which will give her plenty of time to catch up with some failure faces.
“It’s nice to have a meeting that is close, and it will be good to catch up with a few people that you don’t get to see all that often,” Maine said.
Forsaken Me resumes off a 459-day break in the Willrev Syndicate Pace (2180m) and does so on the back of a third placing in a trial in Burnie on 30 September, where he finished hard up on the back of the winner.
“There has been no reason (for his lengthy break) other than I lost a bit of interest myself.
“It was a perfect trial for him. He just needed a nice, quiet one. He is a pretty big horse, so he will probably take a couple of runs.
“The reason we got him back into work is that we brought a yearling filly, I’m unsure why, and we gave her a prep and put him around with her, and it got to the stage it was we put him back in the paddock with her or to keep on going, and at this stage, we are keeping on going,” explained Maine.
The Sportswriter gelding is the second and only foal to race from Faithful Gabby, who Maine owned and trained to 12 wins from 35 starts, including the Group 3 Granny Smith Final in 2015.
“He is a bit of a pet and a bit spoilt. The ability is there. He can get a bit nervous going to the races, so I am hopeful he can keep that wrap, and on his day, he goes quite well.
“It’s not an overly strong field which will be good for him first up,” the trainer said.
Maine’s last runner is Oravoir, who lines up in the Big 4 Ulverstone Pace (2180m).
The half-relation to Beautide will be looking to follow in his footsteps.
Beautide broke his maiden status in Burnie in 2010 from barrier one, the same barrier Oravoir will start from.
“The race we nominated him for, he didn’t get a run, and that was another option for him. It was either that or stay home. Around Burnie, one is a good draw, and he does have some speed. He is not hopeless. He will poke around there, and I don’t think he will be far away, even against the older horses,” said Maine.
Both her horses will be driven by her fiancé Gareth Rattray.
Maine is not only busy with her young family but is also extra busy this time of year, with her and Gareth’s Faithful Park Stud in full swing for the new breeding season.
“It’s starting to get busy now. We have about 10 foals on the ground, the weather has been a bit unpleasant, but we are starting to get into the swing of things.
The seven race Burnie card to be shown on Sky 2 from 17:44.
