29 June 2023 | Mark Yole for Tasracing
There were no winners for Mark Yole last weekend when racing was in Launceston last Sunday night. The premiership leader will be hoping that changes this weekend where he has plenty of chances across the two meetings.
Weekend best
Hobart Race 7 – 10. Montana Lad
A real rich run of form lately from this gelding. He has got the prize for followers a couple of times in the last month, so I have put him as my best again this week. I was very impressed with his effort here last start, off a solid tempo I had to come three-wide without cover 800m from home, he had to work very hard through the third quarter and was entitled to be beaten by the horse following him, but to his credit he dug very deep up the home straight when challenged to hold on.
He has a tough draw here but if there is some speed up front, I feel he will work into the race again and I’m hoping with race fitness on his side over Wattabout Spangher, who will most likely trail me into the race, he should be too strong again.
Wish I was in the sulky
A handy pacer who was very good first-up from a spell last start. He had to do some work early to find the spot outside the leader. He then looked a little under pressure until Rohan pulled the deafeners, where he clicked up a gear and went straight past the leader to win comfortably.
He has a tricky draw, but I think Rohan will wait until the field settles then make a move around his opposition and I’d be surprised if he didn’t find the front, from there he should prove to good again.
Value runner
Two very handy runs at his last two starts has me excited to be back aboard this bloke. Two starts ago he was held up at a crucial stage and flashed late to run second. He has an interesting draw here, inside the second row. If the emergency drawn one doesn’t gain a run, then Ah Mach comes into that position which I think helps my chances as I see it as the likely leader, at worst I would be three back the pegs. With any luck at all, and some genuine tempo, I think this fellow will be hitting the line strongly to be right in the finish.
Under the radar
Launceston Race 5 – 4. Major Generaljujon
A very nice second last start from this pacer really caught my eye. He was wide around the last corner and only just missed out on getting the win, another stride he was in front. The winner of the race was Stepping Stones who has since ran a very nice race out of class in the FFA last week. Although the draw here is a little awkward, I think that if I can take up a forward position over the mile this bloke will make his presence felt. I was booked to drive him three weeks ago at the meeting that got abandoned so I am eager to get behind him here.
Roughie
Launceston Race 6 – 11. Cheddar Valley
A really tough horse to drive is Cheddar Valley, he is out of the draw and the only time I have driven him before, he galloped on the first corner on me. However, he has shown that when he does put it altogether, he has a very fast finishing burst. He was a winner at big odds three starts ago in Hobart when finishing over the top of his rivals, and credit to the master Ricky Duggan who has been able to handle him at his past few starts including that win.
Here I have the extreme draw and some much more fancied rivals draw Inside the front row. If they can go at each other and I can get some lucky breaks to come my way in the run, he may just be poking through at the end of the 2200m. Genuine roughie for sure but not without some chance.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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