Scoring Up

Word drifting out of Cobbitty this week is the addition of Mirage Hanover to the stallion barn for the upcoming season. The 3YO Breeders Crown champ, a son of Bettors Delight from the ever‑reliable Mayhem Seelster (who hasn’t missed with a foal yet), brings a serious maternal page too — his line rolls back to Tupelo Rose, the Kiwi queen who swept the 2, 3 and 4YO filly titles on both sides of the Tasman. Mirage Hanover will stand at $5,000 inc GST.

Down south, the Tasmanian Sweepstakes kick off in Hobart on Sunday with the first round of 2YO heats for both sexes. Another set follows on August 9, leading into the $30,000 finals for fillies and for colts & geldings on August 16. Plenty of chatter already about who’s forward enough to strike early.

A sad note this week — VALE Brian Markovic, who has passed away aged 70. Brian’s unmistakable voice was the soundtrack of Victorian harness racing for a generation, his passion and encyclopaedic knowledge woven into countless race nights. He had been battling Parkinson’s disease in recent years.

A celebration of Brian’s life will be held at his beloved Mornington Racecourse on July 27 at 11am