07 May 2021 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Tasmania’s Claiming Novice Drivers ranks are about to gain a much-needed boost with three drivers ready to hit the track, including Tiarna Ford, who will have her first book of drives in Launceston on Friday night.
Tiarna, 26, is the daughter of former premiership-winning trainer Philip Ford, and has been developing her skills by completing her mandatory number of trials across the state.
Her first drive is aboard Christian Major in race two, who is prepared by her mother Tammy Langley.
Christian Major, a gelded son of Art Major has been placed in two of his past four outings and goes into the race off a trial win when driven by Tiarna, on 30 April in Hobart.
It appears to be a very even race on paper with Jocund, who is searching for his first win of the season drawing well in gate one, Murray, a Devonport winner from four starts ago, drawing to get a soft peg run and Deadly Assassin also has a nice training draw.
Recent Launceston winner Christan Jaz is also amongst the winning chances, which will be driven by Tiarna’s brother Dylan.
Tiarna has two other drives on the card, including Ideal Jo in race six, who has a rough each-way chance and Pink Ponder, who is one of the leading contenders in the final race of the night.
The Glenorchy Magpies star footballer is one of many drivers embarking on their racing journeys.
Other drivers about to complete their amount of allocated trials on their way to obtaining their race day licences in the state are Ryan Backhouse and Jacob Duggan, while Liam Older has recently competed in his first few trial drives.
Friday’s Launceston card commences at 17:21 and can be seen on Sky Racing 2 and TasracingTV.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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