Two-year-old filly Soul Of Karalta returns to the track at Hobart’s Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Sunday night, when she contests the first heat of the Sweepstakes (1609m) for fillies.
The Neville Rattray-trained daughter of Cattlewash hasn’t raced since winning the Debutante Stakes in Launceston in early April, but she has prepared for the series with wins in two Carrick Park trials, the most recent on 11 July.
“The two trials we had at Carrick, you can’t even watch her because of the fog, but she won both those trials,” said Rattray.
“She is a young horse coming through, and she’s done everything really well.
“In her first race (in Launceston on 6 March), she hung real bad, which she hadn’t done that prior to the race.
“We did a little bit to straighten her up, and she ran really well in the Debutante,” said the trainer.
John Walters will take the drive on the filly who has drawn barrier five of seven.
“The main thing, I think, at this stage is to get the heat out of the way and really focus on the next fortnight,” Rattray said.
“We’ll get the run out of the way on Sunday, then I’ve got a fortnight to hone things over.
“Go Diva’s the one that’s going really well. She beat the older horses and ran some time,” said Rattray.
The Tammy Langley-trained Go Diva beat the older horses at her most recent start and has drawn barrier three.
Langley will also play a strong hand in the Colts and Geldings heat with Bettor Than Ready, who set a state record for two-year-olds in Launceston at his most recent start on 5 July, lining up from barrier five, while stablemate Hey Poster Boy starts from barrier three with Ryan Backhouse booked for the drive.
The first six runners from each heat will progress to their respective $30,000 final on 16 August. The final has a capacity of 12 starters, with one emergency, with another heat scheduled for 9 August.
Sunday’s nine-race card commences at 16:34.
