It has become Tasmania’s north-west coast premier harness racing event, the 7BU Burnie Cup (2789m). It will be held at Burnie’s Wivenhoe Paceway on Sunday afternoon, with the feature race to be run at a record prize money of $20,000.
Trainer Rohan Hillier is well-represented by three runners in the race as he chases his second win.
Hillier drove Punt Road Disco to victory in 2016. The pacer was second past the post before winning the race on protest after having his run severely impeded in the home straight.
“I would like to win one by being the first past the post,” said Hillier.
Windy Hanover is the first of Hillier’s contenders, with the Jordan Chibnall pacer being the only runner off the front handicap.
The 11-year-old gelding has had three runs back from a spell, including a fifth in the St Marys Cup where he locked wheels at a vital stage, before a last-start second in the North Eastern Pacing Cup at Scottsdale, where he sat behind the leader, and ran on well late once clear.
“He was good at Scottsdale, and obviously being off the front by himself is going to be a big advantage,” Hillier said.
“I think every run in his prep the better he gets and he will be hard to beat.
“I know he is 11, but he hasn’t had many starts. He has reached a grade where he has to step up, or he may be retired, but to date, he has done a good job.”
Hillier will drive seven-year-old All By Myself, who has drawn outside of the first 10m row of horses.
The mare has won 10 races, five of which have been standing-start races, including the 2023 Tassie Golden Apple at Group 3 level.
She was fourth in last week’s North Eastern Pacing Cup.
“She didn’t get much room at all (at Scottsdale), and this is a similar sort of track. She is a sit-and-sprint horse that is going to need a bit of luck. If she does get it I think she is the best horse in the race,” the trainer-driver said
Rounding out Hillier’s trio is the Conor Crook driven, Jimmy The Irishman, who hasn’t been far away of late, including a third to Beyond Delight in Hobart two runs back in a slick 1:54.3s, when defeated 4.3m.
“He is going good. He has been stiff not being able to get a run the last two weeks.
“The draw hurts him. He may well be off 20m drawn in the second line of the 10m, and he is in the same scenario (as All By Myself). He just needs luck, said Hillier.
The Cup is race six on the program set down for 17:19.
Due to technical issues, Tasracing Live is unable to televise the meeting. However, Sky Racing 2 will televise all races except for races six and eight, which will be on Sky Racing 1.
The first race is scheduled for 14.09.
