Redason’s trotting success in Hobart on Sunday night brought together the best of what racing is all about, the opportunity to celebrate with family and friends.
The five-year-old Majestic Son-Rosedorae five-year-old trotter (pictured) is the product of a Tasmanian Pacing Club Syndicate and tasted success for the first time in the state with a faultless display of trotting for trainer-driver Rodney Ashwood in the Triple M Hobart Trot over 2090-metres.
“It was great to see the syndicate up and about after the win. Redason finished close up on debut in the state when trotting returned to Tasmania in July and then he galloped away at his second run and we had to back to the trials,” said Rod.
“Redason performed well in the trials and put it all together last night. I had some great advice from Ray Pullen who came down and gave me a few tips. Ray has extensive experience with trotters and his words of wisdom were instrumental in the win, so I’m very thankful to him”
Redason’s win was the second leg of a winning double for Rod, having earlier lifted Falcon Harry over the line in the Green Electrical Pace for trainer Tony Petersen.
Falcon Harry took a season record of two wins from nine starts into the race and was forced to work hard to gain success.
“Falcon Harry has been racing well and I thought he would step to the front and be hard to run down but we got caught in the breeze so it was a tough effort and it’s testament to Tony for the way he prepares his team,” said Rod.
“The pressure started to come on at the bell, we rolled to the front at the 600 metre mark with the challengers lining up behind us until turning for home and then it was on in earnest, but he staved off his rivals in the closing stages and defied a late lunge from Koolaz Elvis to score a courageous win.”
Rohan Hadley joined Rod as a multiple winner on the card guiding the C. Hayes-trained Scooterwillrev to yet another effortless 5.4-metre victory over Rocknroll Turbo and Star Chamber and followed up by bringing Im Barney Rubble of the 20-metre handicap to clinch the tasracing.com.au Claimer.
The top three drivers on the 2017/18 Premiership table, Todd Rattray, Ricky Duggan and Rohan Hillier all nailed one winner each on the programme, much to the delight of punters as all three runners ran favourite.
Ricky got punters off to a flying start with Western Glory ($2,25) leading all the way, Todd enjoyed another armchair drive on Yatsenyuk Leis ($1.25) with Rohan following up Illegal Immigrant ($2.50).
It wouldn’t be a Tasmanian harness racing meeting without a win from the States’s leading trainer Ben Yole and he duly saluted with Kaycee ($8.00) driven by Conor Crook.
Paul Williams caused the boilover of the night when his first starter Donny In Paris, starting the rank outsider in the field of four at $31.00 put up a sensational performance to topple his highly rated rivals in the Olympus Feed Pace.
The Rug Rat Donny-Paris Art two-year-old lost 30-metres at dispatch, giving the unbeaten Sutter Star, the Evicus winner Karalta Moondance and the talented Jigamaroo a huge start.
Williams allowed Donny In Paris to move into the race under his own steam, tacking on at the bell and sitting fourth down the back stretch.
Turning for home Karalta Moondance had beaten off the challenge of Sutter Star but was facing a fast-finishing Jigamaroo down the outside but it was to be Donny in Paris on debut that stormed through along the Sprint Lane to take the prize.
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