Trainer Wayne Yole will use Friday night’s Launceston meeting as the starting point for Solo Safari’s campaign towards some of the state’s premier three-year-old races later in the season.
The pacer has not raced since winning last season’s Dandy Patch Final in Hobart and has been gelded since that victory.
Solo Safari, who was trained by Bianca Heenan for a large portion of last season, has also returned to the Wayne Yole stable and has had two trials ahead of his return, including a standing-start trial in Hobart on Monday night.
“He trialled on Monday night down in Hobart, and Ryan Backhouse drove him and came back and said he thinks he’ll do a good job this season,” said Yole.
Yole said the standing-start trial was a deliberate move to give the pacer more options later in the campaign.
Solo Safari showed his ability as a two-year-old last season, claiming the Tasmanian Two Year Old Colt and Gelding of the Year, and Yole said there was always an expectation that the pacer would measure up in Tasmania.
“He did a fantastic job, really.
“He was a pricey yearling ($35,000) for here in Tasmania, and he has done a fantastic job so far,” Yole said.
Yole is cautious for Friday’s return, with Solo Safari resuming from a break, drawing poorly, and facing older horses.
“Fitness is going to be against him a bit, and he will take benefit from the run.
“As long as he gets around safe and does everything right, that’s all I want,” Yole explained.
Friday night’s Launceston program commences at 17:17 and will be televised on Sky Racing 2.
