Make Your Mark – Launceston, 9 July

Tasmanian harness racing is in Launceston on Sunday night where premiership leading driver Mark Yole will be out to extend his break on the opposition. Read his thoughts on the weekend of racing in Make Your Mark.

Weekend best

Race 8 – 2. Jimi Sanz

Racing consistently since returning from a spell. He was very good here last week from the wide draw. He had to sit outside the handy Serengeti Sunrise, and I believe had the draws been reversed I would have beaten that pacer, as I did all the work and it only beat me a metre on the line. He gets a much better draw here and I will most likely be leading as I think that suits him best, however I do have options. Providing he doesn’t get someone drilling him and allowing the backmarkers into the race, he should be very hard to beat.

Wish I was in the sulky

Race 7 – 3. Stepping Stones

Gone with one at a bit of value here. This mare has been racing very well recently. She was a good second and then winner in Hobart a few starts back, she then stepped way up in class into the open FFA races at her last two. She was very competitive and caught the eye when a fast finishing sixth at this track. Last week it was a very slowly run race and that made it tough for horses out wide to make ground. Providing those runs haven’t knocked her around too badly, I see her as a huge chance here. She is back in her own class and gets a very favourable draw. She has gate speed and I see her lobbing in the first four with Grizzly Montana and Gobsmacked pushing forward early. If that eventuates and she is saved for the last 600m, I think she will be overpowering her rivals.

Value runner

Race 2 – 5. Sharmey

Mixing his form a little lately. This guy was a nice second here 10 days ago. He showed brilliant gate speed to lead and then copped pressure from the 800m. He gave a good kick turning for home but was run down late by Major Generaljujon. From a similar draw I will be planning to drive him similarly and attempting to lead. If he can get it a little easier in front, I think he will be right in the finish.

Under the radar

Race 10 – 2. Velocity Stride

I’m really excited to drive this seasoned campaigner. He was a good winner here three starts ago when enjoying a great run. Since then, he hasn’t enjoyed much luck. He had a good cart into the race two starts ago but the three-wide line just couldn’t get into it when the fence dominated. Last week from the inside back row draw he was held up very badly behind the struggling one horse, which on straightening, rolled into the sprint lane blocking my run.

Although this is a good race he comes up with a perfect draw. He has gate speed so I can attempt to lead or if there is a lot of challengers, I can settle first four. With a good trip in running he will be hard to beat.