04 April 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Westbury trainer Michael Laugher took four horses to the Launceston harness meeting on Sunday night and left the track with a career-best four winners.
It was his best result at a single race meeting.
“I have had a double at Melton a couple of times, but I would have been lucky to have had four winners in a week,” said Laugher.
“A couple of them drew the right barrier (on Sunday), and if they had good luck in the run, they could win.
“It’s not often to get all the luck, but they were all driven well which is a big help,” the trainer said.
His first winner, I Of The Hurrikane (pictured), was also a significant result, given that it was his 400th training winner.
“I had no idea it was coming up, and I suppose we just want to get another 400 now.
I Of The Hurrikane ($3.40) was taken straight to the lead and proved too strong for her rivals late in a 58.0s last half mile.
“She showed a bit last time in, but her last few runs were terrible, so we tipped her out, and she has been very consistent this time in.
“She is getting up in the ratings, so we will have to look for fillies and mares races or lifetime win races,” said the trainer.
Laugher will be represented in Saturday night’s Easter Cup by former Victorian Khaki Nui, who recorded his first win in four Tasmanian starts.
The seven-year-old gelding opened up as a $41 chance, which early shoppers quickly snapped up, and ended up being sent out as an $8 hope.
The pacer had galloped in his first three starts in the state.
“Rohan Hillier had been driving him at the trials, and we had been changing his gear,” said Laugher.
On Sunday, driver Brodie Davis positioned the pacer three-back the pegs and only got clear 150m out to score in a slick 1m 57.1s mile rating for 1680m.
“He has got a bit of speed about him, so if he gets the right run in the right races, he should be able to pay his way.
“The distance of the Easter Cup may not suit him, but they don’t put those races on every week,” said Laugher.
Other winners of Laugher’s winning quartet were stable veterans Christian Jaz ($8), who has now won 21 races, and Emjays Black Chip ($6), who recorded a last stride win. Rohan Hillier drove both pacers.
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