Darren Weir is giving local trainers no respite from his assault on Tasmania’s summer racing carnival and could have two runners in both the Tasmanian Oaks and Launceston Cup.
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Acceptances for the $150,000 Tasmanian Oaks closed on Wednesday when Weir paid up for both Strutt Stakes winner Pleasuring and third placegetter Maheera.
At the same time, he strengthened his Launceston Cup arsenal, entering both Hobart Cup runner-up Andrea Mantenga and rejuvenated stayer Bondeiger.
The trainer won’t make a final decision on whether he has multiple representation in the $250,000 Cup until Friday’s 9am acceptance deadline.
The Oaks is the sixth race on an eight-event card at Mowbray on Sunday that also features the $150,000 Vamos Stakes.
Other interstate acceptors for the Oaks are Casa De Lago (Patrick Payne), Last Night (Matthew Ellerton), Berkshire Lady (Danny O’Brien) and Shock Shock (Nigel Blackiston).
Bow Mistress winner Gogo Grace (Leon MacDonald) and fourth placegetter Jocasta (Leon Corstens) are the mainland acceptors for the Vamos.
There are six interstate horses among the 19 Launceston Cup entries – Andrea Mantegna, Berisha, Bondeiger, O’Lonera, Pretty Punk and The Mighty Jrod.
Bondeiger would be an interesting runner.
He was runner-up in the 2014 Victoria Derby and fourth in the 2015 Herbert Power Handicap before losing form and being transferred from Danny O’Brien to Weir.
It took him 18 months to win for his new trainer, finally breaking through over 2500m race at Moonee Valley on January 26 and scoring again over 2400m at Morphettville 12 days ago.
OPENING MARKETS
Ladbrokes’ betting on Sunday’s feature double –
OAKS: 2.15 Pleasuring; 7.00 Casa De Lago, Last Night, Shock Shock; 9.00 Maheera; 10.00 Pateena Arena; 11.00 Berkshire Lady; 17.00 Clean Acheeva, Gone Girl; 71.00 to 301.00 others.
VAMOS: 2.10 Gogo Grace, Life On The Wire; 5.00 Gee Gees Top Notch; 11.00 Step The Pedal; 34.00 Jocasta; 51.00 to to 126.00 others.
TWO-MONTH BAN
Veteran jockey Craig Luttrell has been suspended for two months for causing interference that led to a five-horse fall in Hobart on Sunday.
It’s the longest careless riding suspension handed down in Tasmania for many seasons.
Luttrell pleaded guilty to shifting in at the 600m on A Matter Of Time when not clear of Pinkeyes Pride which had to be restrained and fell.
Grave Digger, Jewels, Zipponet and Miss Buzz were caught up in the chain reaction and either fell or lost their riders.
