02 January 2024 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Trainer-driver Rohan Hillier ended 2023 in the best way possible by taking out the two features on the Carrick Park program on Sunday night.
Hillier won the Cressy Transport Tasmanian Country Championship (2150m) with three-year-old colt Monsieur Meilland ($1.85 fav), who was having his first start in the state after arriving from Victoria with one win from six starts.
“I thought he was the class runner of the field.
“There’s a race for him next week, and then he is going back to Victoria,” the trainer-driver said.
Hillier’s other winner was Jimmy The Irishman ($2.80) in the Pam & Peter Jones Appreciation Free For All (1670m), and in doing so, recorded a new track record of 1:56.3s, taking 0.3s off the previous time.
“I sort of only ran him as it was two weeks prior to the Devonport Cup, as a mile doesn’t really suit him.
“It was a sticky draw as he doesn’t have a lot of gate speed, but he got a cheap run on the fence, and I was really happy he won,” Hillier said.
After being placed in 10 of 17 starts this season, two-year-old filly Indi Air Tonight ($1.75 fav) finally broke her maiden in the S & M Horse Transport Pace (1670m)
The filly settled behind the leader before running to the lead at the 400m to go on and record a neck victory.
“It’s been a long haul with her since she arrived in August, but she has learnt a lot.
“She is a very quirky horse, and teaching her anything is a challenge, but she finally put it together. Ricky (Duggan, driver) said she had finally clicked.
“She might have one more start here and then go home and have a crack at getting her Vicbred,” said trainer Claire MacDonald post-race.
MacDonald ended the day with another winner with Enstein ($6.50), also driven by Duggan, who delivered the trainer her first winning double.
Settling three back in the running line before racing three-wide for the final half-mile.
“His form was good when he came, and David Miles picked him out for us.
“We got him cheap in the end, and all the family are involved,” said the trainer.
MacDonald acknowledged the help in training her team by concession driver Brodie Davis, who was offered the drive on Enstein, but he elected to stick with another runner in the race trained by his father.
The state’s leading trainer, Ben Yole, also prepared a double, including James Cagney, who gave driver Mark Yole his 99th winner of the season, falling one short of a season century.
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