Hall Of Fame reinsman Ricky Duggan has long been regarded as one the state’s all-time greats.
Anyone who hasn’t had the chance to witness the quality of the horseman first hand need only watch his magical performances on the tasracing replays from Sunday nights Devonport Harness Racing Club meeting.
Duggan steered home Ideal Bliss, Poker Storm and Jetcraft in succession before finishing off the night with a runaway win on Smilin Geoff.
“Ideal Bliss started the ball rolling for me, she’s a class act having won her two starts back from a long lay-off, she won four of seven last season and chased home Nostra Beach on two occasions so she’s in the silk department,” said Duggan.
“Going into the race I thought we may have the job ahead of us drawn out the back, we had a good run through the field but she got fired up when she clipped the wheel a few times, at the 200-metre mark the top three fancies (Ideal Bliss, Bettabrown Tiger and Art Frenzy) were spread across the track and all as flat as a lizard drinking but she just kept on finding when the pressure was on, I haven’t spoken with Paul (Hill) about what the plans are for her but I’d be surprised if it doesn’t include the Granny Smith Stakes.”
Poker Storm, trained by Adrian Duggan showed age is no barrier with the 11-year-old gelding scoring back to back wins at the track after winning the Dash For Cash on Cup night.
“He loves it here at Devonport, when Alta Surreal crossed from out wide through the first turn we just lobbed onto his back and when the gap opened up running to the 200-metre pole he was ready to go and just popped off the pegs and finished over the top, Adrian has done a great job with him, that was his 21st win and it tipped him over $150,000 in stake earnings,” said Ricky.
“Jetcraft is another consistent pacer, they went hard early and that suits him, Debbie (Williams) has her horses fit and strong so you know they are always a chance at the business end of races and he finished off powerfully.”
Smilin Geoff, trained by Kristy Grant was another having its second run back from a four-month spell.
“He was a little underdone when Jeans Mattjesty ran him down at Launceston a fortnight ago but he stripped fitter tonight with that run under his belt, he’s a smart pacer when he’s going and that was his tenth victory, he put them away quickly turning for home.”
Todd Rattray finished with a driving double on Kuzma and Keep Playing while the Ben Yole stable also enjoyed dual success with Nor Westa and The Lemondrop Kid saluting.
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