With less than a fortnight until the $100,000 in Launceston, anticipation is building for what promises to be a fascinating clash between Tasmania’s emerging three and four-year-old pacers.
Fresh from filling the quinella in last Sunday’s Raider Stakes, Hungry Hippo and Okanui Beach look set to renew their growing rivalry in one of the state’s premier harness features.
The pair have developed an impressive head-to-head record over the past two seasons. Okanui Beach claimed the Dandy Patch as a two-year-old before finishing runner-up to Hungry Hippo in last season’s Globe Derby Stakes. Last Sunday, the same result unfolded again when Hungry Hippo proved too strong in the Raider Stakes.
Okanui Beach was bred by one of Tasmania’s leading owner-breeders, Michael Maxfield, before being purchased by Craig Turnbull for $20,000 at the 2023 Nutrien Standardbred Yearling Sale in Melbourne.
Hungry Hippo, a son of Stay Hungry, was bred by Brooke Hammond and sold through the 2023 Nutrien Tasmania Yearling Sale to Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock for $41,000.
Initially prepared by champion trainer Emma Stewart, Hungry Hippo transferred to the stable of Alex Ashwood in May this year. The move has continued the gelding’s impressive form, with four wins and two placings from six starts under Ashwood’s care.
Ashwood summed up the talented pacer simply when speaking to Tasracing.
“He has lots of ability but struggles around the corners.”
The Beautide will also receive plenty of national attention, with leading harness racing journalist Adam Hamilton and SEN Track radio presenter Gareth Hall travelling to Launceston for the feature meeting.
The race will be preceded by a Beautide Cocktail Party and Calcutta on Friday night at Sporties Hotel in Launceston’s CBD, providing fans with the opportunity to celebrate one of Tasmania’s biggest harness racing weekends before the feature event.
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