27 December 2021 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Five-year-old gelding Oneofthelads ($15) won his 10th race of the season in Devonport on Boxing Night, taking out the program’s feature race, the $12,000 Kevin Redpath North West Plate Final, putting trainer Ben Yole back in front on the Australian Trainers’ Premiership.
From a 10m handicap, reinsman Nathan Ford got the pacer through the field well to settle behind the leader out of the home straight before weaving his way around the field from the 1700m point.
Ford dictated affairs from there, with the Caribbean Blaster gelding digging deep when challenged by Artyboy Glenwood late.
“He is a lovely campaigner who has done a great job this season,” said Yole.
“He is probably the best trier I have in the stable”, explained Yole, with the pacers season record reflecting that with over $70,000 in prize money earnings this season.
“Once he found the top, the race changed complexion to how we thought it would pan out,” added the Sidmouth-based trainer.
The win of Oneofthelads was one of four winners for the Yole stable on the Devonport program.
He also scored with Rocks Roy ($4.60), Rock On Playboy ($15) and Major Lester ($2.10).
Yole now sits two wins clear on the National Trainers’ Premiership which concludes on 31 December, however, he admits it will be a struggle to stay there with one Tasmanian meeting for the season remaining.
“I think I’m gonzo,” said Yole.
Yole’s nearest rival is Queensland’s Grant Dixon, who has won the national premiership on eight occasions.
The National Top 20 on the Harness Racing Australia website updates overnight, and meetings listed with interim results aren’t included in the daily update, hence why Yole’s Devonport winners are currently not included.
Todd Rattray had a great night in Devonport with a training treble and a driving quartet.
He drove the well supported Kikkimi ($21 into $7) to a neck victory in the opening race for trainer Ronald Eeles before training and driving Looby Lombo ($1.95), Lesya ($2.70) and Triple Aitch Fella ($6.50), with all three leading all the way.
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