Three $14,000 events headline Sunday night’s nine-race card in Hobart.
The highlights include the Art Meeker Memorial Matron Stakes (2579m), the Fehlbergs Produce Brighton Cup (2090m) and the E C Plunkett Memorial (2090m).
Driver Jordan Chibnall plays a strong hand in all three races as she looks to continue her good recent form in the sulky.
Last month, Chibnall drove eight winners, including the Group 3 Tassie Golden Apple.
“I’m getting some good opportunities, which makes it easier for me. I just have to steer them the right way, but I’m grateful for the opportunities I’m getting at the moment,” said Chibnall.
One of her feature race winners last month was the Shirley Martin Mother Of Pearl, the Launceston Pacing Club’s premier mares race when Out Of Eden led all the way.
The Conor Crook-trained mare took her record to four wins from six Tasmanian starts since arriving in the state from Victoria.
“She has taken us by surprise. After the first couple of times we worked her, we didn’t think she would go on and do what she has, but she keeps getting better every time, so hopefully, she can keep going on her way.
“Conor (Crook) was really confident going into the race, but I still had a few doubts. But she sort of proved herself. I know they went slow early, but she had to dash home and beat some good horses,” said Chibnall.
Out Of Eden faces a 20m handicap in the Art Meeker Memorial Matron Stakes in what will be the mares first standing start assignment.
“She trialled good from the tapes on Monday (at Carrick Park) and stepped really well. She is sensible, and I don’t think it will be a problem, she is pretty level-headed, and nothing worries her.
“Hopefully we can get away and get into a good spot and follow the right horse into the race, and she should be thereabouts,” the driver said.
Chibnall will partner Glenledi Elvis in the Fehlbergs Produce Brighton Cup. The pacer has been placed in two starts since his recent Golden Apple victory.
“I have been driving him upside down. He is a very fast horse, and I have been driving him the wrong way. It was a slow first quarter (at Carrick Park) which made me put him into the race, much to Conor’s disgust. So, hopefully, I can sit him up this week.”
Ambiguous is Chibnall’s drive in the E C Plunkett Memorial, with the Sportswriter gelding bouncing back into form in Burnie last start, where he won by 25.7m after starting from a 20m handicap in a 45 or better rating event.
“You don’t see them do that off 20m at Burnie. He stepped really well, and a lot of them galloped early.
“He was good the start before. He probably should have gone close, but he got knocked over when one galloped down the back. I was impressed with his Burnie win, and I think he can go on his way.
“There are some nice horses in it. Royal Appointment is back in class, but I think we can hold our own in that field,” Chibnall said about Sunday’s race.
The Hobart card will be shown on Sky Racing 1 and Tasracing Live.
Hopefully punters and participants don’t miss the start of the meeting, with Race 1 will now start 13 minutes earlier than previously published in newspapers and form guides, at 17:10 and race 2 at 17:49.
