19 August 2022 | Mark Yole for Tasracing
With last Sunday’s Hobart meeting moved to Tuesday, it’s a busy week in harness racing as programs in Launceston on Friday night and Hobart on Sunday evening are ahead this weekend. Leading trainer/driver Mark Yole gives his weekly thoughts in Make your Mark.
Weekend best
Hobart Race 4 – 10. Iden Boutique
I’m really looking forward to the drive on this girl. Her last two wins have been very encouraging, and I believe it has been a stroke of brilliance by her trainer Christian to put the slide down blinds on her. In the past she had been travelling well but just hadn’t learnt to go past her opposition. The last two starts she has had those on and won well. Here she comes up with a tough draw but if I can work into the race, she will be right in the finish.
Under the radar
Hobart Race 2 – 10. Whatta Good Reason
A couple of handy runs by this guy at his past few before his slightly disappointing effort on Tuesday where he did have to sit outside the leader. He has a tricky draw here, but he does have good standing start manners and he should follow out No Nukes Skipper who generally is a fast beginner. So if he can get a nice run through early and a good trip in transit, he will be right in the finish.
Wish I was in the sulky
Hobart Race 3 – 2. Iylac Pakaria
A very impressive debut in Launceston from this filly. She sat off the speed and unleashed a devastating sprint to win comfortably in a 28 quarter. She has a nice draw here and the small field should help, as if she doesn’t lead, she will be handy enough to use that sprint again. I think she will be winning this and will be a huge chance to take out the final.
Black booker
Launceston Race 2 – 7. Heza Rummage
Some very handy runs recently by this fellow. He was badly held up on Tuesday in Hobart, at his previous 10 runs he hasn’t been beaten any further than 11 metres and most of those were under a length. He loves the standing start and although he comes off 10 metres there is only three off the front so he may even be able to find the lead! He looks the good thing of the night to me.
Inside word
With not a lot of inside word or industry news happening at the moment, over the next few weeks I’m going to explain a few of the different training methods that can be used when training a racehorse.
Swimming horses
The exercise of swimming horses is one that is very common. It can be a very good option for older horses that may be feeling pain in their joints or horses recovering from leg injuries. This is because when a horse swims it can exercise without putting any of the pressure from that 500kg frame onto its legs. It can also be a good option to freshen a horses mind up from the constant daily routine of running around a track.
I have found though that it can be easy to flatten a horse by over swimming it. This is because swimming is an exercise that uses different muscles and forces the horse to work very hard and can over work their cardiovascular system. Trainers should be mindful to introduce swimming into a horse’s routine gradually over a couple of weeks. Preferably not after hard fast work.
Some trainers may also include it in a horse’s program to swim down a lap after work to help ease lactic acid build up, this is when it is extra important not to overdo it and ask the horse to swim too much.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
