29 December 2022 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
2023 is almost here, but there are 10 winners to be found in the last meeting of the 2022 season at Carrick Park on Friday night.
After a winning double in Burnie on Friday, Mitch Ford looks set to take out his first state drivers’ title in his first entire season. It is mathematically possible for Mark Yole to win, but he will need a lot to go his way on Friday.
Mitch will also be the leading junior driver.
Ben Yole will be the state’s leading trainer for another season.
The Stars
Ricky Duggan – the most winningest driver in Tasmanian harness racing chalked up his 1,800th career win in Hobart when scoring on Hot Embers for trainer Ben Yole. Then half an hour later, Ricky teamed up with his brother Adrian for win number 1,801 with Mista Eagle.
Mitch Ford – drove three winners across the past two meetings including a driving double to give him a handy lead on the state’s drivers’ title. He also drove Oneofthelads to victory in the weeks feature race, the North West Plate Final in Burnie.
Windy Hanover – the eight-year-old son of Cardmaster Hanover, rewarded his owner-breeder Vernott Woods for his patience and perseverance when the pacer recorded his maiden win on Tuesday in Burnie at start seven, with trainer Rohan Hillier in the sulky for the win.
Paul Williams – the King Island Paul Williams, not to be confused with the Bagdad trainer-driver with the same name. The K.I Paul has trained all six winners on King Island this season, including King Island Cup favourite Rocknroll Nitro, who is undefeated in three starts on the Island.
Feats of the meet
Hobart, 23 December
Ricky Duggan – driving double, including 1,800th career win.
Ben Yole – four training wins.
King Island, 26 December
Paul Williams – trained both pacing winners,
Kayleb Williams – drove both pacing winners.
Burnie, 27 December
Ben Yole – five training wins.
Mitch Ford – driving double,
Dylan Ford – driving double,
Cody Crossland – driving double.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Hobart, 23 December
Check In 57.82s, Cullenburn 57.90s, Ranieri 57.95s, Sapphire Gambler 57.97s and Sea Hawke 58.06s.
Burnie, 27 December
Agouda Ruler 58.26s, Windy Hanover 58.27s, Eippermill 59.09, Dapper 59.16s and Stevie Jolt 59.22s.
Tasracing Official Price
Hobart, 23 December
Hits: Maybee $2.05 into $1.45 and We Salute You $6 into $5.5.
Defied The Drift: Sports Illustrator $4 to $4.4 and Sharmey $4.2 to $4.8.
Missed: Sapphire Gambler $8 into $6, Believe In Forever $5 into $3.8, Salvator Mundi $4.6 into $4, Forgot The Wallet $4.6 into $3.6, Spikey Boy $3.5 into $3 and Be Good Benny $18 into $7.5.
Burnie, 27 December
Hits: Karalta Dazzler $2.45 into $1.95, Oneofthelads $2.9 into $2.6, Urus $8.5 into $7.5 and Star Rocker $15 into $11.
Defied The Drift: Margarets Clan $1.75 to $1.9 and Windy Hanover $2.5 to $2.8.
Missed: Keep Playing $5 into $4.6, Miss Barty $51 into $10, Bettor Blast $26 into $5.5, Bold Centurian $5.5 into $3.6, De Marco Beach $21 into $11 and One Off $4.4 into $3.6.
Week Ahead
Thursday: Trials at Carrick Park from 17:30.
Friday: Harness racing at Carrick Park, the sole meeting on mainland Tasmania for the weekend.
Monday: King Island Pacing Cup day.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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