Mydadsaid was the first horse to qualify for the Group 1 Ladbrokes Tasmania Cup after an all the way win in the first heat (2579m) in Hobart on Friday night.
The Tammy Lanlgey-trained pacer opened at $4.60 on the Tasmanian Official Price before drifting out to $5.50, and he ended up starting the $5 equal favourite.
Driver Mitch Ford got the five-year-old gelded son of Sportswriter away best to lead the standing start event, running a lead time of 74.7s and then quarters of 30.3s, 30.1s, 27.9s, and 29.8s on his way to a 4.3m win over Hot Deal ($16) and Just Tiger ($15) in a mile rate of 1:59.7s.
“We always thought the distance was a slight concern first-up, and we also thought that he would benefit from the run,” said Ford after the race about the former Queensland-trained pacer, who is still raced by his owner-breeders Steven and Simone Prentice.
Connections had targeted the pacer at the Tassie Autumn harness features, and the pacer arrived in the state about four weeks ago.
“He’s got good standing start manners, and he showed that in Queensland, and I think that will hold him in good stead for the final.
“He has real good Queensland form, and he did run third to Aroda (who is a Group 1 placegetter) in the Redcliffe Cup last year,
“He only does what he has to do, but he hit the line well tonight, which was pleasing,” said the winning driver.
The opening heat of the George Johnson (2090m) was also held, where the Mark Yole-driven Tough Shaz ($1.90 fav) led home a Bill Dornauf training quinella, with Eureka Jo ($3.30) 1.6m away in second position.
Ambiguous ($2.70 fav) led all the way to score in the Light Harness Cup Heat One (2579m) for the Conor Crook and Jordan Chibnall combination.
Heats of all three races will be held on 16 March before the respective finals on Saturday night, 22 March.
