Ford holds strong hand in Dandy Patch heats

Heats of the Group 2 Woodlands Stud Evicus (1609m) and the Woodlands Stud Dandy Patch (2090m) headline the nine-race card at Hobart’s Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Friday night.

Driver Dylan Ford holds a strong hand in both heats of the Dandy Patch, partnering favourite Bettor Than Ready in heat one, and Lotseven, who is vying for favouritism, in heat two.

Bettor Than Ready has won three of his four starts, including a 1:55.5s win in Launceston in July.

His most recent win came in the Sweepstakes Final in Hobart on 16 August in a time of 1:65.4s for the mile trip.

“I’ve sort of always liked him from day one. Good manners, plenty of high speed, and as we have seen, he can run a good mile,” said Ford.

The Bettors Wish gelding ran fourth in a Hobart trial on Monday night.

“He sort of ran into a little bit of interference at the trial. They got him in 27 (seconds), and Tarn (Ford, who drove) said he hit the line strong.”

Ford acknowledged the depth of the heat, pointing to Pogacar’s recent performances and Mystery Mail’s fast-finishing second in Hobart last Sunday.

Lotseven has won once and been placed on five occasions, including a second in the Sweepstakes Final two starts ago, and he has a wide draw to contend with in Heat Two.

“He’s the one that has continued to improve, but he struggles to get a good draw. He just jogged around when he won his trial (in Hobart) on Monday,” said Ford.

Calzo Sniper from the Paul Ashwood stable opened favourite, while Farroh Joe for Victorian trainer Peter Fiscalini has won two races, and placed on six occasions in a 12-start career.

In the first heat of the Evicus, Ford takes the reins on Sheezsotiny, who has drawn the pole at a double-figure quote.

“She was okay at her first start.”

“Second start, she was probably ready for the paddock,” said the driver about the filly who has not raced since 9 August.

Eleanor Street, runner-up at Young in New South Wales on her only start, has joined the Rohan Hillier stable and has drawn barrier two.

Vinjetta was placed in the Sweepstakes Final and Danger Beware, who has been placed in two trials, is on debut head the early betting.

The second heat sees Kooky return to Tasmania after a New South Wales campaign, and Razzmatazz, who won impressively on debut in Launceston on 27 September, battling for favouritism.

The $75,00 Finals will be held at Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Saturday night, 31 October.

By Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing