17 June 2019 | Shane Yates for Tasracing
Star pacer Ryley Major obliterated an 11-year-old track record in Hobart on Sunday when he spreadeagled his rivals over 1609 metres.
The Rohan Hillier-trained and driven six-year-old (pictured) recorded a scintillating mile rate 0f 1:54.5, carving almost a full second off the record set by Richie Walton in May of 2008.
Not only did Ryley Major smash the Hobart track record he matched the state record set in Launceston by Mister Lennox in the Golden Mile in 2017.
Ryley Major speared across the face of the field from gate seven to find the front in the run to the first turn and from there it was a mere procession for the Art Major – Shez Ryleymak powerhouse on a lightning-fast surface.
“He was very sharp tonight, he showed his normal high gate speed from seven and crossed them easily, Matty (Cooper) kept the pressure on in the middle stages with Call Me Hector which was good but ‘Ryley’ just rolled away at the top of the stretch for a convincing win,” said Rohan.
“Breaking such a long-standing record was a highlight, the scary part is he could have gone quicker but he is a real racehorse and when he clears out like last night he doesn’t bother to overexert himself.”
Hillier is now looking to the mainland for Ryley Major’s next mission.
“We will race him at Melton on Saturday night and then bring him home and then I’d like to look at giving him a run at Menangle I think the track would suit him perfectly and he deserves his opportunity there.”
Todd Rattray’s Sweet Lou – Benediction colt Kohanah was given a leisurely work out in the Two-Year-Olds Colts & Geldings Division of the Sweepstakesaccounting for his only rival Bitoscotty by 15.8 metres, recording a last-half of 58.7 seconds.
Doug Nettlefold’s blazing run with his Big Jim – Shake Me Up two-year-old filly Blame It On Me continued when she strode home to her third victory from four starts in the second heat of the Fillies Division of the Sweepstakes.
Blame It On Me sneaked under the radar in her two previous wins scoring at odds of $16.10 and $10.00, but punters clambered on the bandwagon this time around backing her into favouritism and with Natalee Emery in the gig she didn’t disappoint.
“She’s a very nice filly, she still has a lot to learn but she has done a wonderful job in her four starts, Doug (Nettlefold) rang me right back at the start and said he thought he had something special and would I like to drive her at the trials and although she was soundly beaten in both she showed me there was something there,” said Natalee.
“I was quietly confident when she won the Launceston Belmont on debut and then she won impressively in Hobart so going into last night the confidence level was high and again she produced the goods with something in hand, she has speed and she’s tough as well so I wouldn’t be swapping her for anything else in the final on Friday.”
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