There was plenty of action on the track in Tasmania last week at the meetings in Hobart and Devonport.
There was some sad news off the race track with the passing of Sinbad Bay on Saturday at age 34. The winner of 22-races from 50-starts was bred by Maurice Keating and owned by Dick Hicks, who won six races in Tasmania when trained by Henry Green before he was sent to Victoria where he was trained by Bob Knight and Stephen Dove.
Some of his feature wins included the 1989 Victoria Cup, 1991 Group 1 Benson & Hedges Cup, 1991 and the 1996 Ballarat Cup. He was also one of the inaugural inductees into the Tasmanian Harness Racing Hall Of Fame.
This week we have two Tier Two meetings with Burnie racing tonight and Carrick Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Stars
Rodney Ashwood – showed his ability as both a trainer and driver in Hobart on Friday. He produced a copy book drive to win on War Chest for trainer Eric Jacobson in race two, and was rewarded for his perseverance with Miss Superbia who broke her maiden status in race one. Ashwood rounded out the night with Redason in the Trotters event.
Juanita McKenzie – not only was she a part owner of the first race winner Miss Superbia she also trained the quinella in the fast class race of the night. It was Remember Joe leading all the way to win by a head over Isaac. “Old Joe” was first up since mid-July and had no trial leading into the race.
Paul Medhurst – it was great to see Paul Medhurst and Wendy Whelan in the winner’s circle with Rocknroll Dancer who had been racing well prior to his win on Friday. He was superbly driven by Ricky Duggan to win at odds of $41.
Samantha Gangell and Mark Yole – both drivers recorded doubles on the six-race card in Devonport on Sunday.
Multiple Winners
Hobart – Friday evening
Rodney Ashwood – three winners; driving double with War Chest and Redason and training double with Miss Superbia and Redason.
Ricky Duggan – driving double; Miss Superbia and Rocknroll Dancer.
Conor Crook – driving double; Jaccka Len and Ready To Fire.
Devonport – Friday evening
Ben Yole – training treble; Jakes A Joy, Pushkin and Karalta Dazzler.
Samantha Gangell – driving double; Regal Major and Origin Billy.
Mark Yole – driving double; Pushkin and Karalta Dazzler.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Quickest last halves (800m) from last week’s action.
Hobart – Friday evening
Taurisi 58.11s, Isaac 58.20s, Max Richter 58.23s, Mister Lennox 58.87s and Remember Joe 59.00s.
Devonport – Sunday evening
Iam Aw Sam 58.15s, Im Full Tilt 58.29s, Northview Dave 58.49s, Regal Major 58.53s and Busted 58.61s.
View all available Tasmanian Sectional Data by clicking here.
Tasracing Official Price
Hobart – Friday evening
Hit’s: Jaccka Len $15 into $10 and Hashtag Finally $5.50 into $4.60.
Defied The Drift: Miss Superbia $10 out to $12, Remember Joe $13 out to $16 and Ready To Fire $2.00 out to $2.40.
Missed: Spot Eight $13 into $6.50, Frankie Falzoni $26 into $11, Grinable $51 into $31, Mister Lennox $3.40 into $3.00, Miss Atomic Betty $21 into $17 and Gaggle Coordinator $21 into $12.
Devonport – Sunday evening
Hit’s: Regal Major $26 into $9.00 and Pushkin $18 into $15.
Defied The Drift: Jakes A Joy $6.00 out to $7.00 and Origin Billy $1.90 out to $2.20.
Missed: Artarama $26 into $16, Ima Ginger Rogers $5.00 into $2.90 and Countdown $41 into $13.
Trial File
Hobart – Monday evening
Five trials were held at the Elwick Racing Complex where the Steve Lukac-trained six-year-old Riley Coyote recorded the quickest winning mile rate of the night of 2m 2.7s.
The gelded son of Art Colony was taken to the lead by driver James Austin and recorded the last mile in quarters of 33.5s, 29.2s, 30.8s and 30.2s to win by 45-metres.
Other winners at the session included; Trumps Golden Boy (2m 14.2s), Albayzin (2m 5.7s), Still Hungover (2m 7.9s) and Blackjackhanover (2m 5.1s).
Carrick Park – Monday evening
Heza Rummage was the quickest winner at the Carrick Park trials when he recorded 2m 6.2s when winning a C1 and better class trial.
After settling in third position, driver Mark Yole eased the pacer to the spot outside the leader from the six hundred metre mark, and was able to sustain that run to win by one-metre over Our Boy Johnny. They were twenty metres clear of the third place getter.
Harjeet and Izaha both stepped away cleanly in a C3 and better standing start trial. Izaha lead till the top of the home straight till he was headed by Harjeet at the five hundred metre mark, who went on to win the trial by two metres in a mile rate of 2m 7.3s with the last quarter ran in 27.4s.
The remaining winners were; Zhukov Leis (2m 5.1s), Our Wonder Woman (2m 8.1s) and Olivers Mate (2m 10.1s).
Week Ahead
At Burnie on Friday night Ben Yole trains three of the seven race favourites on the card including Sheer Strength (Race 3), Im Full Tilt and Iam Aw Sam (equal favourites in Race 4) and Karalta Dazzler (Race 6).
Ubet have a $1,000 Quaddie Jackpot which commences on race two.
The Burnie card will be the last meeting Todd Rattray will carry the Prostate Cancer Foundation colours that he has worn with fellow leading driver Ricky Duggan during the month of Movember.
The first race will start at 17:19.
Carrick Park will feature a hosted live stream service on Sunday afternoon for there seven-race card.
The Shaw Property Development Pace has attached a strong field for the 2650-metre event.
Laredo Torpedo will be looking to bounce back in to the winners list after galloping after the start and virtually taking no part in the race.
Also engaged in the race is Riverboat Jasper who did a power of work out three wide over the final circuit when second in the Danbury Park Cup behind Scooterwillrev in Launceston last start.
The first of seven races on Sunday is scheduled to start at 15:49.
One scratching stands between Resurgent Spirit gaining a start in the 2018 Inter Dominion series, with the first round of heats to be held at Melton on Saturday night.
The Tasmanian owned and bred pacer will be driven by Tasmanian born Alex Ashwood if he gains a start and will take the barrier position of the scratched runner, similar to a greyhound race.
The gelded son of American Ideal is trained by Ashwood’s partner Kate Hargreaves.
Last week it was great to see Devendra bounce back into the winners circle at Gloucester Park. Some of our runner this week include;
Melton – Inter Dominion Heat Night (Round 1) on Saturday
Race 5, 6 and 7 Horse 14 Resurgent Spirit (emergency)
Bunbury Cup – Saturday
Race 6 Horse 11 Devendra
Stawell Cup – Sunday
Race 7 Horse 6 Star Chamber
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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