New shoes could lead to Group One dance
A CHANGE in footwear along with a well-laid plan have the potential to result in Group One glory this weekend.
Following a stable transfer last March, Mydadsaid's owners also switched the pacer's shoes from traditional aluminium to polyurethane.
The polyurethane plates - specially-designed by renowned farrier Steve Costin - made an instant impact, with Mydadsaid winning his first two starts for trainer Charlie Martin, including the Gold Strike Final.
Finishing the season with five wins and five placings from 14 starts for Martin, Mydadsaid was sent far south to Tasmanian horsewoman Tammy Langley last month in preparation for the Tasmania Cup.
Making his Apple Isle debut last weekend, the son of Sportswriter captured a Cup heat in impressive fashion.
"Changing to Steve's polyurethane shoes is one of the best decisions we have made with him," part-owner Jordan Prentice said. "He has gone from strength-to-strength since, including breaking the track record at Marburg.
"The shoes absorb 99 percent of the shock and are quite big in the gallop world and I've got no doubt we'll be seeing more of them in harness racing."
As for his attempt at Group One success, Mydadsaid is engaged in Saturday night's $150,000 Final in Hobart.
To be driven by Mitch Ford, Mydadsaid has drawn three, but moves into two once the emergency comes out.
TAB Fixed Odds have the five-year-old listed as a $5.50 second favourite, with Heza Punk Rocker heading the market at $2.50 from the 10-metre line for trainer Emma Stewart.
"We sent him down to Tassie specifically for the Cup," Prentice said. "He's a standing start specialist and was always going to get into it well with the handicaps.
"He'll come out of two, which should be him right in the thick of the action.
"After the Cup he will probably remain there for a while as two more wins up here in Queensland and he's up against Leap To Fame, so Tassie offers better options.
"We'll get through Saturday first anyway before we worry about anything else."
