02 July 2024 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Ricky Duggan became the first Tasmanian harness racing driver to record 1850 wins after a driving double in Hobart on Sunday night.
He achieved the number when scoring on progressive three-year-old filly Chenin Beach ($3.70) in a restricted win Tasbred fillies and mares event (2090m).
The daughter of Betting Line was resuming from a spell, with Duggan making the most of a good draw on the Rodney Ashwood-trained filly.
“She had an easy run in front. I thought I would have copped a bit of pressure, but I was surprised by the run she got,” said Duggan about the mare who was able to get away with a slow 37.2s lead time before running quarters of 32.1s, 31.6s, 29.3s and 29.3s to defeat Svitolina Leis ($3.80) and Swiatek Leis ($3.70).
“I don’t know how far she will go, but she hasn’t got a bad little record anyway.
“She was a bit stiff in the Evicus last year to get beaten in a photo,” Duggan said about the filly.
“It was great to reach 1850 wins on one of Rodney’s horses as he has been a great supporter of mine for a lot of years, as has Jamie Cockshutt and Barry Cooper. They have stuck by me for many years,” said Duggan.
Duggan drove Sharkattack ($10 into $5) to victory in a 70 to 79 event over 2090m.
Duggan angled the Rodney Ashwood-trained pacer to settle on the back of the leader in the early stages but was in a bit of trouble at a vital stage of the race.
“I dropped leaders back as I thought it was one of them I would like to follow that would have got me to the sprint lane, but a few got on their bikes and got going on the corner and on straightening we were still held up, but once we got there the others were coming to the end of there run, while we were getting round up.
“He is no star, but he keeps turning up, and Rodney has done such a super job with him,” Duggan explained.
The fast class race was won by Nyack, who is on track for the upcoming Raider Stakes, which commences with heats in Launceston this Sunday.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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