Leading trainer/driver Mark Yole provides a behind the scenes look at the weekend of harness racing with 10 races in Hobart on Sunday night.
Weekend best
Race 1 – 3. Chasin Frankie
I thought she was really good at her debut here a fortnight ago. She led and wasn’t given much peace in front and just got caught in the last 50 metres. She should only improve from that experience. There are a couple of debutantes here, but I think she will be very hard to beat.
Under the radar
Race 6 – 11. Buster William
This bloke put the writing on the wall last week when he had to work hard from outside the front row to find the “death seat”. He then had his rivals covered until a controversial peg line run came for Kuyomi. Tricky draw here, but if he can get a cart into the race he should be right in the finish.
Wish I was in the sulky
Race 2 – 3. Sporty Ben
Absolutely flying this horse. He ran an enormous race last week when working mid-race to be outside the leader. Hit the front but got swamped late. The mile rate was 1:55! So, with a return to the front row here, I see him getting across to lead and be able to dictate the tempo. He should be winning.
Black booker
Race 9 – 8. Slingshot
Really caught my eye hitting the line very strongly in Hobart a fortnight ago from an outside second row draw. He comes up with a good trailing draw here as I expect De Marco Beach to hold the lead. If so, this fella should take full advantage of the sprint lane. However, if he does end up further back on the pegs, I’m sure when he gets a good run into the race he will be winning again soon.
Inside Word
Michael Laugher
It was great to see Michael Laugher get a winner on his return to the state after campaigning his team in Victoria. His veteran pacer Believe in Forever took full advantage of a nice trail into the race after a hot tempo up front to score a very nice win in Launceston.
Michael is a very well-respected horseman and a very good farrier. Operating out of Westbury, he does a great job with his small numbers. Not many people would be aware that he had an incredible apprenticeship in his younger days working for legendary trainers in Wayne Rattray and Vin Knight.
More recently he has nurtured his son Jack into the driving ranks, and he is now considered one of the best junior drivers in Australia, He is stable driver for the powerful Victorian owner Eric Anderson. I’m sure we will be seeing Michael in the winners list frequently in the future.
