15 December 2022 | Mark Yole for Tasracing
Weekend harness racing is in Burnie and Launceston this weekend. Read the weekly thoughts of leading trainer-driver Mark Yole who also has a chat with industry identity Mick Maxfield.
Weekend best
A really nice win last start in a heat of the Youngbloods series. He was driven a treat on that occasion. Here he switches to a standing start and although he has never been off the front row, he has shown me he can fly away when off a handicap. If he can lead, I think he will be very hard to beat.
Under the radar
I was very pleased with this horse’s run last week in Hobart first-up in the state. He settled on the pegs before getting off around the last bend and making good ground up in the straight. That was a much stronger race than he meets here. My query is the second row draw and also if he will handle the tight Burnie track. He is a big strong, long striding horse. If he can handle the track and I can navigate a path through some early traffic, I think he is a great chance of beating his opposition.
Best value
Sunday Race 9 – 1. Foregone Conclusion
A handy winner two starts back in Hobart when I was able to get him a lovely run behind the leader. He peeled off its back on straightening and got the better of him in the shadows of the post. They did run a very fast last half mile there. He then went to a much stronger race last start where I thought he acquitted himself well. Here he gets the lovely draw and I think he has the speed to hold the front. If so, he may be too strong for his rivals.
Wish I was in the sulky
Tricky one this week but I have gone the way of this girl, care of a great draw. She has only had the one race start and although she only ran fourth, she didn’t enjoy the best of luck. She got held up behind the leader and never really got a crack at them up the straight. Here I think she has enough gate speed to be able to hold the lead. If she can do that, I think Craig should be able to dictate his own speed, as I don’t see anything other than the Gardener (who is drawn behind her), in the field that can do any work. If he can keep that one boxed in, she should be able to breakthrough for a win.
Black booker
Sunday Race 8 – 9. Rock On Playboy
I felt his last start effort in Hobart was much better than it looked on paper. He drew outside the back row over the mile trip, and although he had a three-wide cart up, he got pushed very wide on the last corner and then was able to make up good ground late. Here he has a much more favourable draw, two on the back row. This is slightly tougher opposition but if he can settle just behind the speed, and then work into the race over the last 400m he should be right in the finish. This is a horse that used to be borderline FFA and is back into a 55 to 64 rating race.
Inside word
Listen for an interview with Mick Maxfield.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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