It has been another big week in Tasmanian harness racing circles.
The most successful Tasmanian driver of all time, Ricky Duggan rewrote the record books when he scored on Laredo Torpedo on Friday night.
Star pacer Ignatius, who is back in the state and is in work for trainer Todd Rattray was still winning in New South Wales on Saturday picking up two awards at the annual Harness Racing New South Wales awards night.
This weekend we have two meetings in the state kicking off in the twilight zone in Launceston on Friday evening before a rare Sunday afternoon meeting at the Devonport Showgrounds.
The Stars
Ricky Duggan – the New Norfolk based reinsman rewrote the record books on Friday night when he became the first Tasmanian driver to record 1600-wins win he steered Laredo Torpedo to victory. Duggan’s resume includes a staggering 24 Tasmanian Sires Stakes Finals, five Devonport Pacing Cups and the Launceston Pacing Clubs premier race the Easter Cup on three occasions.
Ignatius – In New South Wales on Saturday night the star three-year-old was crowned New South Wales three-year-old of the year and the New South Wales three-year-old Colt and Gelding of the year. Earlier this month Ignatius was crowned Tasmanian three-year-old of the year and Tasmanian Horse of the year.
James Austin – returned to the sulky after an enforced lay off and certainly became the punter’s pal for those who backed Long Ago in from $41 into $26 in the opening race.
Brystabella – this four-year-old showed ability in her first two starts but in her third race track appearance the headaches began for trainer Sandra Hills, after three trials Brystabella was back to the race track and put her best foot forward to win her first race at only her third racetrack appearance.
Taylor Ford – after recently outdriving her concession claim the Brighton reinswoman continued on her winning way with a driving double on Friday night aboard Jacks Command and Bounty Eyre for trainer Bianca Heenan.
Multiple Winners
Hobart – Friday
Ben Yole – training double; Long Ago and Lake Eyre.
Bianca Heenan – training double; Jacks Command and Bounty Eyre.
Taylor Ford – driving double; Jacks Command and Bounty Eyre.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Quickest last halves (800m) from last week’s action.
Hobart – Friday
Taurisi 56.10s, Mister Lennox 56.62s, Drayton 57.04s, Max Richter 57.11s and Laredo Torpedo 57.25s.
You can view sectionals from every runner from the meeting and more Tasmanian Sectional Data by clicking here.
Tasracing Official Price
Hobart – Friday
Hit’s: Long Ago $41 into $26 and Secluded Beach $3.50 into $3.30,
Defied The Drift: Jacks Command $5.50 out to $8.00 and Bounty Eyre $3.70 out to $4.20.
Missed: Jakes A Joy (11th) $17 into $6.00, Frankie Falconio (8th) $41 into $26, Witch Master (4th) $18 into $13, Medal Of Honour (3rd) $4.20 into $3.90 and Rusty Red Comet (8th) $51 into $31.
Trial File
Hobart – Monday
Three trials were staged at the Elwick Racing Complex on Monday evening where. The Chris Howlett trained pacer Rockin An Runnin recorded the quickest winning mile rate of the night of 2m 5.4s.
Driven by Matthew Howlett Rockin An Runnin sat behind the leader in the free horse field and was able to win by two metres over Elect To Go and Grinable.
Rockin An Runnin is part-owned by successful thoroughbred owner-breeders, Paul and Elizabeth Geard, has had three trails back since his last start second in Launceston on April 15.
The other two trials were won by Feelin Dusty (2m 10.4s) and Diago Rules (2m 6.1s).
Devonport – Monday
The Geoff Smith trained Regal Major recording the quickest winning mile rate of the night at the Devonport Showgrounds on Monday evening when he recorded 2m 2.3s in a C1 to C4 trial over 2297-metres.
Driver Charlie Castles took the pacer to the lead and was able to defeat his former stablemate Moto Kenny by two meters with a further two metres back to the third placed Bettor Go Go.
The remaining trials were won by; Red Shed Robbie (2:07.7), Lead Singer (2:06.5), Jaminas Joy (2:05.2) and Mister Last (2:05.1)
Week Ahead
The first of two meetings this week is in Launceston on Friday night where the Nichols Sound & Communications Stakes is the main race of the night.
A field of 11 will face the starter under Standing Start conditions, including the Heath Szczypka trained Reign Of Pain will step out for the second time since arriving in the state.
The Armbro Operative gelding was doing his best work late when finishing 3.7-metres behind Full Speed Ahead when fourth in the Show Cup in Launceston on October 19, he will start off a 10-metre handicap but comes back from a free-for-race to a C5 and better standing start.
The Launceston meeting features a $1,000 Ubet Quaddie Jackpot gets underway at 17:31 with races one to three and race seven to be shown on Sky Racing 2 with races four to six to be telecast on Sky Racing 1. All races will be live streamed at Tasracing.com.au.
The action then turned to Devonport on Sunday afternoon where the first two heats of the 6ty Youngbloods and the $12,000 NWTLHA Cup are the highlights on the seven-event programme.
Conor Crook will be hoping to secure maximum points in heat one where he drives the Kate MacLeod trained Rattlenhum.
Drawn the pole position where it is expected Conor will use the Riverboat Kings geldings gate speed like he showed last start in late September where he was able to lead from the pole position in Launceston in late September where he was grabbed late to be defeated 4.5-metres by Our Percius.
The 6ty Youngbloods has moved from its traditional July time slot to give trainers and owners more options with there horses throughout the year with the six penalty-free races that clashed with the Botra Claiming Novice Drives series that was run under similar conditions in July.
The fast class race of the day is the NTLHA Cup where the Shelley Barnes trained Chief Destroyer returns to the track since his second placing on at the Showgrounds on July 1. The race also sees the return of this year’s Devonport Cup winner Riverboat Jasper who has a 20-metre handicap to overcome.
The first race on Sunday commences at 13:28 and will be telecast on Sky Racing 1 and live streamed at Tasracing.com.au.
Races four through to seven will be the legs of the Ubet Quaddie to fall into Ubet policy of having the last four races as the Quaddie legs for afternoon harness racing meetings. Ubet also have a $1,945 on the Extra Double which is held on races two and three.
Interstate this week we see:
Gloucester Park – Friday
Race 5 Horse 4 Devendra,
Melton – Saturday
Race 3 Horse 5 The Bettormack.
Menangle – Saturday
Race 2 Horse 3 Rykov Leis and Horse 4 Pachacuti,
Redcliffe – Saturday
Race 2 Horse 6 Fioki and
Race 6, Horse 2 Jerrys Jet.
Globe Derby – Saturday
Australian Drivers Championship night, where Todd Rattray and Ricky Duggan will represent Tasmania:
| Todd Rattray | Ricky Duggan | |
| R1 | 11. TORQUE OF COURAGE | 9. THE HIGH ACHIEVER |
| R2 | 12. WAYNESFIRST | 8. VANDANTA NZ |
| R3 | 10. CLARENDEN VALOUR | 8. GLIDER |
| R4 | 3. BIEN HOA | 5. KOTARE MAHDI |
| R5 | 2. OUR EL NINO NZ | 11. HARRYS DAY OUT |
| R6 | 4. I WANNA ROCKNROLL | 11. MISSY MURDOCK |
| R7 | 10. DRINKTOUS WROXTON | 1. MAGICAL RIDE |
| R8 | 3. POWER OF ATTORNEY | 10. SKIPPY RASCAL |
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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