Tayla French is looking to take on Tasmania with a team of horses she prepares with partner Alex Ashwood.
Tay Tay, Major Fire and Cemetery Bay are the three pacers that French and Ashwood have lined-up for the Tasmanian features.
“They have all travelled before and don’t seem to have a problem with the travelling,” French said. “We travel them to Tassie with Tasmanian Horse Transport, they do a terrific job and can’t give any horse a reason not to handle the travel. Their care is exceptional.”
The two Ashwood-French prepared mares are racing against each other in race eight on Sunday night at Hobart.
“Tay Tay and Major Fire are targeting the George Johnson. There's a $12,000 heat on Sunday into a $30,000 final the following week,” French said.
“We are pretty happy with the way Major Fire has come back this preparation, she is really switched on and has developed into a nice racehorse.
“Barrier four should suit her, whether she can find the front is another thing. We’d like to see her out in front and rolling along, but remembering this week is only a heat. So our aim is to qualify for the final next week.
“Tay Tay finally has a reasonable draw and shouldn’t be doing any work early. We can put a line through her last run in the Albury Cup. She drew the carpark and practically finished there with the quick last half that they ran up front. She looks in tip-top shape, and we are hoping she puts her best foot forward.”
French has chosen to take the drive on Major Fire and Jack Laugher, who is also making the trip to Tasmania from Victoria, will partner Tay Tay.
The two mares are joined on their trip by stablemate Cemetery Bay, who targets the Light Harness Cup.
“He is having his first ever stand start,” French said. “Hopefully he can step quick enough to make light work of his 20 metre handicap. He’s a little horse that likes to take short cuts and be saved for a sprint at the end.”
French, 26, has also picked up a local family drive on Sunday night with Kellys Delight.
“I’ve picked up the drive for Paul Ashwood (Alex’s uncle). I don’t know a great deal about this horse. Looks a bit like he’s racing up in class, but drawing barrier one should help,” she said.
A key highlight for French’s trip is getting to partner the Sam Barker-trained Ultimate Vinnie in the Tasmania Cup series.
“I’ve formed a bit of a soft spot for Vinnie. He just seems to be getting better all the time with every run,” she said.
“We’ve given him two standing start trials leading up to this series and I couldn’t be happier with the way he has stepped. Maryborough last week, I drove him out of the tapes and he stepped really well.
“We are really happy with how he has come on since the Ballarat Cup. Sam has done a terrific job with him. We look forward to the weekend!”
Ultimate Vinnie will tackle heat two of the Tasmania Cup on Sunday, with the $150,000 Group 1 final back at Hobart the following Saturday.
Fellow Victorian trainers and drivers also making the trip to Tasmania to contest the popular races include Allan McDonough, Chris Svanosio, David Miles, Charlene Gusman, Ash Warton and Ewa Justice.