Tasmanian drivers premiership leader Dylan Ford is looking forward to what lies ahead this preparation for four-year-old Art Major entire Horatius Speculo, which kicks off in the Smithawards Pace (2579m) at Hobart’s Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Sunday afternoon.
The Tammy Langley-trained Horatius Speculo claimed the North Eastern Pacing Cup at Scottsdale and the Burnie Cup in January.
He then went on to contest the Tasmania Cup series, finishing fifth to Celebrity Royal in the Group 1 Final, and the Easter Cup, where he won a heat before finishing third to Gordons Bay in the final at his last start on 4 April.
“We were sort of just aiming at the country cups, and he kept progressing, which we knew he would. But how quickly he got through the rating system surprised us, and how well he matched it.
“His fifth in the Tassie Cup was probably the run of the race from where he came from,” said Ford.
Horatius Speculo has won two recent Hobart trials ahead of his first-up assignment, most recently on Monday afternoon in a standing start trial where he won by 8.4m in a mile rate of 1:59.7s for the 2090m trip.
“His overall time was pretty good, and his last half was very good. He took a little bit to get going, but once he did, he knuckled down, and he put a space on them towards the end.”
Ford isn’t concerned with the 2579m trip first-up.
“He was first-up in the Scottsdale Cup last prep, and he ran out 2692 metres pretty well. He’s probably a little bit bigger and heavier this time, but ability-wise that will carry him a long way, and he’ll improve off whatever he does Sunday,” said Ford.
The two-year-olds will line up in the TTC Life Members Graduate (1609m).
Several runners, including likely favourite Haveyoumetmaynard, are first-up from a spell.
Ford will partner Lotseven from barrier seven, with the son of Ride High recording the fastest last half-mile of the meeting at each of his past two starts when runner-up.
“He’s been in positions in those last two races where he couldn’t have won, but he’s looked like he was going to win. It looks to be a bit of tempo this week, so that’ll help him,” the driver said.
Of his remaining drives across the card, Ford rates last start winner Goodtime Oscar in the Typeface Pace (2090m) as one of his leading chances.
“Goodtime Oscar is consistent and back in form, and he’ll make it a true staying test.
“You look at the horses Goodtime Oscar has raced, and I think he’s just been racing better horses than what he meets here,” said Ford.
Ford has driven 64 winners in Tasmania this season and leads Mark Yole (48) and Jordan Chibnall (38).
The trainers’ premiership sees Wayne Yole and Tammy Langley share the lead with 74 wins.
Brodie Davis is a clear leader in the junior drivers’ premiership with 27 wins so far this season.
