A Caulfield crack for duo

QUALITY Tasmanian mare Take the Sit and smart sprinter Algernon take centre stage at Caulfield on Saturday in races that could deliver the desired results.

The Bill and Monica Ryantrained Take the Sit takes on a handy field in a benchmark 100 handicap over her pet distance of 1400m while Algernon tackles a benchmark 78 handicap over 1100 metres for Seven Mile Beach trainer Imogen Miller.

Take the Sit has drawn out in gate 16 and while Bill Ryan says the mare would have been better off drawn in, he is hoping that by the end of the day when her race is sun that the better going is out wide.

“It could be a tricky little race because there doesn’t seem to be a lot of speed in it, but she goes into the race in top order,” Bill Ryan said.

“She is in the last race of the day (nine), so if the track gets chopped up it might be better being out wide and that’s where she is likely to be from barrier 16.”

Take the Sit won the Group 3 Vamos Stakes in Launceston two starts prior to having a spell and her first-up win in Launceston two weeks ago was impressive.

“I thought her first-up win was great because she only sprinted home the last furlong (200m) and put them away very easily.

“She has done everything I’ve asked of her in the training track since that run so all she needs is a bit of luck in running and she should run well on Saturday.”

Take the Sit may have drawn a wide gate, but she will carry only 51kg courtesy of a two-kilogram claim for apprentice Josh Richards.

It is Take the Sit’s first interstate trip, but Ryan says she is level-headed, so she should travel well on the Spirit of Tasmania on Thursday night.

It is also Algernon’s first venture away from home, but his trainer is in tenterhooks.

“Algernon is a quirky horse and I’m a bit worried about him travelling but we had to try it sooner or later, so we’ll just have to see how he goes (travelling),” Miller said.

“The horse is in good shape, and I think we have found a very suitable race, but his biggest challenge is getting over there in good order.”

Whatever the result on Saturday Algernon will return to Tasmania straight after the race and either venture back to Melbourne for another race or be given a short spell, but whatever the decision he could be aimed at the Newmarket Handicap to be run in Launceston on November 30.

■TRIALS were held in Devonport on Tuesday and two of the most impressive performers were in the same trial.

Rebel Factor and Need to be Unique had a battle up the home straight with Rebel Factor emerging triumphant by a narrow margin.

The lightly raced Rebel Factor from Team Wells has won twice from only four starts and should be one to look for in a benchmark 62 or 68 (1000-1150m) in the coming weeks while Need to be Unique from the Kelvin Hamilton yard will most tackle a race in Devonport on Sunday week.

■ AFTER more than three years in the role, Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson is leaving the business.

Mr Eriksson said the past two years during Covid-19, given the lock downs and other restrictions, had been personally challenging and he was returning to Sydney to spend time with his family before looking for a new role.

Following discussions with the board, it was agreed that now was the appropriate time for this change before the implementation of the outcomes of the Review of the Racing Regulation Act 2004.

Tasracing Chair Gene Phair thanked Mr Eriksson for his work, particularly his delivery of a fiveyear strategic plan, setting new vision and values to deliver growth, and improved transparency around the reporting of welfare and injury statistics for equine and greyhounds

“Paul made a significant contribution to the development of the broader Tasmanian racing industry

during his tenure in a number of areas,” Phair said.