The Conor Crook-trained mare Ultimaction makes her racetrack return in the Fehlbergs Produce Dynamo Heat Eight (1609m) in Hobart on Friday night.
Ultimaction, a daughter of Ultimate Machete, has won six of her 13 starts, with a further five minor placings to her credit.
Crook had the mare when he was based in Victoria, where she won on debut at Melton in December 2023. When Crook moved back to Tasmania in 2024, he brought the pacer back with him and had her on track for last year’s Tasmanian Oaks, which she ended up missing due to injury.
“We targeted the Oaks down here (last year), and she had a race in Hobart, and she crossfired and cut through her tendon boot and cut her tendon, which is why she had a bit of time off, so it’s good to see her get back to where we thought we would be,” said Crook.
The mare had six starts back at her next preparation, which culminated in a winning hat-trick, with her most recent victory coming in Hobart on 17 August.
“Her last two runs were massive, so we decided to freshen her up.
“She seems really well, and may have improved again (from her freshen-up) and hopefully she takes that to the races,” said the trainer, who has given the mare two “quiet trials” since.
“We qualified her from a stand, which opens our options up.”
Ultimaction has drawn barrier three on Friday, and the trainer expects the mare, who will be driven by his life partner Jordan Chibnall, will race close to the speed.
“There is some speed inside us, and depending on what they want to do, if we bully our way to the front, or if we have to chair up (outside the leader), I expect the speed to be genuine anyway.”
There is a $20,000 bonus ($10,000 for the winning owner(s), $7,500 to the trainer and $2,500 to the driver) for the fastest of the eight Dynamo heats, with around 40 sporting & community clubs chasing a share of $10,000 in prizes.
It is the third running of the Dynamo, which was previously held over 1120m with a maximum field of six. However, this year’s event has been moved to 1609m with an eight-horse field, allowing for third place betting.
