Tasmanian Harness Highlights – Friday, 4 December

At just five years of age, Kenzie Rattray (pictured) had her first drive in the mini trots at Devonport on Friday and scored at her second race drive, before driving a double at Carrick Park on Sunday. There is no doubt she will follow in the footsteps of her father Gareth Rattray and mother, Melissa Maine.

On to the big horses and it was a great night’s racing at the dual code meeting in Devonport on Friday where Lip Reader had his last hit out before Sunday weeks Golden Apple heats in Launceston with a dominant win in a standing start race.

On Sunday the action was at Carrick Park where trainer Ben Yole recorded five-winners on the card, the sixth time he has achieved the feat.

This weekend Hobart host 10-races on Sunday evening featuring three heats of the Youngbloods Challenge. King Island also host their first of seven meetings of the season on Saturday afternoon.

The Stars

Ben Yole – had a day out at Carrick Park on Sunday winning five of the nine races held.

Steve Davis – produced a brilliant training performance to win with Major Davvin at the pacers third start back from a nasty fall.

Lip Reader – remains on track for the Golden Apple in Launceston this month after a handy Devonport win.

Rohan Hadley – scored a weekend driving double, including Winknblink at Carrick Park who he also trains.

Sam Clotworthy – warmed up for this week’s Youngblood Challenge with a patient drive aboard Tally Operator at Carrick Park.

Multiple Winners

Devonport – Friday evening
No participant recorded multiple wins.

Carrick Park – Sunday afternoon
Ben Yole – training quintet – Karalta Dazler, Lake Eyre, Somedan, Tally Operator and Mach Charm.
Taylor Ford – driving double; Somedan and Mach Charm.

Calculated Sectional Standouts

Quickest last halves (800m) from last week’s action.
Devonport – Friday evening
Lip Reader 58.31s, Taurusi 58.46s and Perfect Mach 58.54s.

Outside of race three; La Toison For 59.59s, Karalta News 59.81s and Burningupthefloor 59.98s.

Carrick Park – Sunday afternoon
Perfect Mach 57.66s, Bounty Eyre 57.74s, Punchinello 57.83s, Chris Be Quick 57.84s and Her The One 57.89s.

View all available Tasmanian Sectional Data by clicking here.

Tasracing Official Price

Devonport – Friday evening
Hit: Victoria Pass $2.00 into $1.80.

Defied the Drift: La Toison Dor $3.00 out to $4.00, Lip Reader $1.70 out to $1.90, Wandary Muscat $4.00 out to $8.50, Artyboy Glenwood $3.50 out to $4.40 and Mista Eagle $5.00 out to $9.50.

Missed: Karalta News $6.50 into $3.30, Royal Reactor $14 into $7.50, Coveffe Hustler $9.00 into $6.50 and Gentleman Red $6.50 into $4.80.

Carrick Park – Sunday afternoon
Hit’s: Somedan $6.50 into $5.00, Winknblink $19 into $14, Tally Operator $21 into $15, Mach Charm $8.50 into $7.50 and Loch Ness Franco $2.50 into $1.85.

Defied the Drift: Major Davvin $10 out to $14.

Missed: It Is A Glacier $4.20 into $3.80, War Chest $3.70 into $3.00, Lily Rocks $3.00 into $2.30, Machbev $3.00 into $2.60, Heza Sport $8.00 into $6.50, Aussie Rock $2.40 into $2.00, Streetside Classic $8.00 into $6.00, Oneofthelads $3.70 into $2.30 and Black Ops $10 into $5.50.

Trial File

King Island – Saturday morning
The last set of trials were held prior to the first meeting of the season this Saturday.

Four trials were held, and it was the Graeme Keeley-trained, Wayne Hamer driven, Stevie Jolt recording the quickest time of the four trials in 2m 8.5s.

The gelded son of Village Jolt was able to lead and travelled strongly in front to score by three metres over Timeless Jasper who ran on well and Origin Cronk who peaked on the run late.

Other trials were won by; Iden Duchess (2m 26.9s), Benjamin Niadh (2m 19.6s) and Mi Ju Dan (2m 20.0s).

Hobart – Monday evening
Five trials where held in Hobart on Monday, where reinsman Jacob Duggan had his first trial drive.

The Juanita McKenzie-trained duo Sharmey (2m 1.7s), and Helikaon (2m 1.2s) led to win their respective trials. Rodney Ashwood drove the two two-year-olds.

A Good Red for trainer Eric Jacobson and driver Paul Hill settled behind the leader and used the sprint lane in the home straight to win his trial in 2m 1.4s.

The Ray Pullen-trained and driven Castor Troy was able to lead and win his trial by a neck over Ifbutzandmaybes in 2m 5.4s, the slowest time of the night.

While Resurgent Storm was another to lead and win in 2m 1.8s.

You can view the trials held on mainland Tasmania by clicking here.

Week Ahead

Hobart is the sole venue for harness racing on mainland Tasmania this week with a bumper 10-race card.

The first three heats of the six-race Youngbloods Challenge are set to be staged on the card.

Drivers invited to compete in this year’s series are Andrew Freeman, Ben Woodsford, Bronte Miller, Charlie Castles, Georgia Hayward, Lachlan Dakin, Malcom Jones, Matt Howlett, Sam Clotworthy and Samantha Gangell.

The heats are races two, four and eight with the final three heats to be held in Launceston on Sunday week.

After a brilliant clash last time they met, Ignatius and Ryley Major are to go head-to-head again in the seventh race on the card over 2090 metres.

Tackling them to cause an upset are Call Me Hector, Izaha, Drayton and Blackbird Power.

The action Sunday commences at 17:10, at the time of writing. The first two races will be shown on Sky Racing 2 with the last eight races on Sky Racing 1, all races will be streamed on TasracingTV.

Saturday the King Island Racing Club stage their first of seven meetings for the summer period.

The two harness events have attracted a high number of entries with 18 horses contesting two races, and with over 20 pacers on the Island a few will miss out on runs in coming weeks.

Driver Adrian Collins who has won the past two King Island Pacing Cups will be making the trip, and he will be joined on the track by Dylan Ford, Tim Yole and Wade Rattray on Saturday, to take on local drivers Peter and James Jakowenko, Wayne Hamer, Shane Keeler, Paul Williams and his son Kayleb, who will have his first drive on Saturday.