10 December 2020 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
It was a great weekend of harness racing at the two meetings last weekend in King Island and Hobart.
In Hobart, Ignatius continued on his winning way. The Todd Rattray trained and driven pacer had a soft run in the early stages (the trotters ran a quicker lead time) before dashing home in a slick last half-mile.
Trainer Ben Yole also had a night out with four winners.
This week we race in Hobart on Friday night, King Island on Saturday and then back to Launceston after a long break for heats of the Golden Apple on Sunday night.
The Stars
Ben Woodsford – prepared his first win as a trainer when Metro Star (pictured) scored in Hobart on Sunday. Matthew Howlett took the reins, while Woodsford drove the fourth placegetter in the Youngbloods Challenge heat.
Sam Clotworthy – leads the Youngblood’s Challenge after a win and two placings in the three heats held on Sunday. Clotworthy scored on Guys Bettor Bet at $71 in heat two after enjoying a lovely run just off the speed.
Georgia Hayward – returned to the sulky after an injury-enforced lay off and secured maximum points in the last heat of the Youngbloods when Ozzie Major scored in what was a survival of the fittest in the home straight.
Juanita McKenzie – continued her excellent run and prepared a double on the card with two two-year-old pacers. Sharmey was too tough for his rivals, while Helikaon led all the way to defeat his older opponents.
Kayleb Williams – landed his first winner at his first race drive on Mi Ju Dan for his grandfather Paul Williams on Saturday at King Island, the day after celebrating his 18th birthday.
Multiple Winners
Hobart – Sunday evening
Ben Yole – training quartet; Guys Bettor Bet, Hez The One, Ozzie Major and Good Feelings,
Ricky Duggan – driving treble; North Star Lad, Helikaon, Cold Crusher,
Juanita McKenzie – training double: Sharmey and Helikaon,
Troy McDonald – driving double; Hez The One and Good Feelings.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Quickest last halves (800m) from last week’s action.
Hobart – Sunday evening
No Spring Secrets 56.23s, Ignatius 56.30s and Ryley Major 56.47s.
Outside of race six; Kardesler 57.01s, Proficient 57.28s and Hez The One 57.42s.
View all available Tasmanian Sectional Data by clicking here.
Tasracing Official Price
Hobart – Sunday evening
Hit’s: Hez The One $101 into $31 back out to $51, Helikaon $1.70 into $1.30 and Ignatius $1.70 into $1.50.
Defied the Drift: Sharmey $2.80 out to $3.60, Metro Star $21 out to $31, North Star Lad $4.80 out to $7.50, Good Feelings $5.00 out to $6.00 and Cold Crusher $3.10 out to $5.00.
Missed: Barooga Rock $4.80 into $3.80, Kiavino Stride $12 into $8.00, Star Rocker $6.50 into $4.20, Kardesler $7.00 into $4.80, Itsadanceoff $11 into $6.00 and Armchair Drive $2.10 into $1.55.
Trial File
Hobart – Sunday afternoon
One trial was held before Sunday’s race meeting where the Christian Salter-trained and driven Alaphilippe went straight to the early lead and was kept out of trouble to score by 39.4 metres in a mile rate of 2m 4.3s.
Carrick Park – Monday evening
Only three trials were held where the Melissa Maine-trained Tisu Skye recorded the quickest mile rate of the night in 2m 4.0s.
The Courage Under Fire filly was positioned behind the leader by Gareth Rattray, who was able to get into clear racing room at the 300 metres when the leader galloped. Tisu Sky scored by a head over Jimmy Smalls.
Other trials were won by Lalasa who was on the back of the leader and worked home nicely to score by a neck in 2m 8.0s, and Hafter came from last to score in the final trial in 2m 7.2s.
You can view the trials held on mainland Tasmania by clicking here.
FORMPLUS Black Book
Black Ops
This pacer has never been too far away in recent weeks and was doing his best work late when fifth in a heat of the Youngbloods Challenge on Sunday night. The pacer was a victim of circumstances of several horses half carting in front, which has become an increased issue in Tasmanian racing in recent months, which prevented the gelding from getting on the three wide-line. Instead, the pacer had to be driven for luck and was doing his best work through the field late when recording the quickest last half mile of the race.
Week Ahead
We start off the weekend of racing in Hobart on Friday with seven-races.
Victoria Pass will be looking to continue his winning run in race four after winning at his last five starts.
The pacer has drawn outside the second row in a strong 60 to 70 event.
The first race is set down for 18:28, and the card will be shown on Sky Racing 2 and TasracingTV.
Saturday non-tab racing returns to King Island with two harness events and six thoroughbred races making up the eight-race card.
Mi Ju Dan and Karalta Kruise who won the two races last week, clash in the second harness event, which is a discretionary handicap over 2079 metres.
There is no off-track telecast or wagering on the King Island meeting.
On Sunday we see the conclusion of the Youngbloods Challenge in Launceston and two heats of the Tassie Golden Apple where less than capacity fields will contest the two heats.
The Golden Apple heats are late on the program with heat one being race six where Ignatius and Call Me Hector share the 30-metre back mark.
While only seven horses will contest heat two where Ryley Major and Illegal Immigrant share the 30-metre handicap.
Only 12 horses will contest Saturday weeks final, opposed to the maximum standing start limit of 14.
Race one on Sunday commences at 17:37 and currently race one will be on Sky Racing 2 and the remainder of the card on Sky Racing 1, all races are on TasracingTV.
Interstate at metropolitan venues this week;
Melton – Saturday night
Race 1 Horse 5 Laid Back Kenny,
Race 9 Horse 1 Twenty Two Karat.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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