Last start Group 1 Tasmania Cup winner Jorge Street will have his first start since the biggest win in his 35-start career when he lines up in the Ladbrokes Sheffield Cup (2698m) in Launceston on Sunday night.
The pacer has a spot in the heats of this year’s Inter Dominion in Brisbane, given that Group 1 winners this year are selected after the past Inter Dominion winner and Grand Circuit winners in the order of rankings.
Jorge Street was given a break after his Tasmania Cup win on 22 March.
“He’s come back really well after his short let-up and has thrived from a few weeks away from the stable environment down at Richmond stables,” said part-owner Bianca Heenan.
The four-year-old gelding gets into Sunday’s national rating 65 or better standing start event well, given the conditions on the handicaps being on past wins and not national ratings.
“The stable is expecting a very forward race from him. He is well-graded off the back of his Carrick and Tassie Cup wins. He privately trialled at Hobart with a pacemaker and was impressive in the workout.
Tammy Langley has trained the pacer since arriving in Tasmania. But Heenan will take over the training when the pacer hits the road for his Inter Dominion campaign, including a tilt at the $106,070 Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup on 28 June.
“He will be heading to Queensland with the Redcliffe Gold Cup as his first target, as it’s a standing start. From there, he will then continue on to the Inter Dominion series.
“It will be a long trip for him, but nothing seems to faze him as he is pretty easygoing. His other owners are fantastic people (Jorge and Tracy Teixeira), and they are extremely excited to go and be a part of such a big series. It’s going to be something special. The best of the best will be there, and no matter what, we’re just happy to be a part of it,” Heenan said.
The second set of Inter Dominion rankings was released on Thursday, with Jorge Street and Tasmanian-owned Max Delight both moving up one spot to fourth and fifth, respectively on the rankings following a scratching of a horse above them.
Recent Menangle open class winner Nyack moved from 24 to 21, while Triedtotellya’s recent Launceston Mile win saw him move from 67 to 61.
Triedtotellya will race in a Free For All on Sunday night before connections look at a Free For All race at Melton in the coming weeks.
This Sunday’s Launceston card also sees the running of several Devonport Harness Racing Club features on the 10-race card that commences at 17:06.