01 July 2022 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Six months remain for the 2022 Tasmanian harness racing season, which continues in Launceston on Friday night with a seven-race card.
Ben Yole is well on the way to winning another state trainers’ premiership with 145 Tasmanian winners for the season, 123 clear of his nearest rival.
Yole is very well placed to add to his lead with 59 of the 72 acceptors across six races on Friday, with the only race his stable isn’t represented in because he is ineligible to compete under the race conditions.
He again leads the Australian trainers’ title with 159 wins, 58 clear of his nearest rival.
But the drivers’ premiership appears to be a contest that will go right down to the line.
Conor Crook currently leads with 41 wins but recently moved to Victoria to try his luck there.
His closest rivals are Mitch Ford, 29 wins, Dylan Ford 28, Rohan Hillier 25 and Nathan Ford 23. While Bronte Miller and Mark Yole sit equal sixth with 22.
One of the biggest advantages of the National Rating System in Tasmania is the five-point concession claim, which is an advantage for Mitch, who has recently moved from Southern Tasmania to Northern Tasmania to take up on an opportunity with the Ben Yole stable.
Mitch has several good drives on the Launceston card, including Vivid Stride in race one, which the young driver rated the best winning chance of the meeting on the Tasmanian Harness Highlights Podcast.
All of his other remaining drives have winning prospects.
Mitch also leads the Junior Drivers’ Premiership seven wins clear over Bronte Miller, who holds a two-win lead over Jordan Chibnall on the female drivers’ title.
Chibnall also recently made the move back to her home state of Victoria.
Bianca Heenan leads the Female Trainers Premiership, five clear over Tammy Langley, who will be out to close the gap with two runners on the Launceston card with Pickle It and Sports Candy contesting the second race.
The seven-race Launceston card will be shown on Sky Racing 2 and commences at 17:34.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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