07 February 2022 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Young reinsman Mitch Ford had a day out in the sulky at Carrick Park on Sunday, driving his first treble, which included the days feature race, the $14,000 Maxfield Drilling Meander Valley Cup with the Ben Yole-trained Young Rooster.
Ford got the gelding away cleanly from barrier three in the 2650m standing start event to settle one-out and three-back before gaining a three-wide cart up over the final circuit.
The Brighton based driver made his run on the $6 chance at the 400m, with the gelded son of Well Said racing away from his rivals to score by 4.5m over stablemate Earl Jujon with Kardesler a further three metres away third.
“I lobbed where I needed to be and I knew Rockandahradplace would take me into the race, it was just a matter if he was going to be quick enough and good enough to beat that lot, and he was,” said Ford post-race as he continued his excellent form on the pacer.
“I have had four drives on him now for three wins, so it is not a bad record,” the winning driver added.
The win was the eighth of the season for the 18-year-old who is building a handy record with trainer Ben Yole.
“Most of my winners this season have been for Ben (Yole), and he has given me some nice drives, and hopefully, we can continue the good run,” Ford added.
Ford was on the board early when scoring in the opening event with Tarifa Girl, who was having her first start since joining the Bianca Heenan stable.
“Her form in Victoria read like she was going to be competitive in that race, and once she rolled to the top and got her first half pretty cheap, I was always confident,” said Ford
The last leg of Mitch’s treble was in the final race of the program when scoring on the Paul Carlson-trained Sweet Amour in the final heat of the Bramich Bulldozing Trainers Incentive series.
“Todd (Rattray) had a firm grip on Star Watching (leader), and the one in front of me was flat, so I knew it was time to go, it was a matter if she had enough in the tank, and she did,” said the winning driver.
It was the first time in Ford’s 132 drivers that he has recorded a driving treble.
The meeting was the second-last for the C.P.P.C during their summer season. The club will race again with the Carrick Cup program on 6 March, with the Carrick Cup Calcutta and Yearling Sale to be held the day prior on Saturday 5 March.
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