Tasmanian harness racing is in the north of the state this weekend, with meetings in Burnie and Launceston. Read the thoughts of premiership leading driver Mark Yole.
Weekend best
Launceston Race 6 – 4. Villaci
What a super effort from this guy last week!. I slotted in well from the outside front row draw but was forced five and six wide from the 500m, and he ultimately dragged the winner into the race, and it just ran him down up the straight. He comes up with a much better draw here, and I will be pushing forward looking for the lead as I think he will be extremely hard to beat if he can find it. If that doesn’t eventuate, he showed three starts ago he can also sit in the death and tough it out with only the handy sit sprint mare Killarney Dance, who sat on his back, getting over the top of him on that occasion.
Wish I was in the sulky
Launceston Race 1 – 4. De Goey
A super run last start in the Tasmanian Derby has me putting this gelding on top. He didn’t enjoy much luck and was stuck doing all the work outside the leader after quite a few moves in the run from other runners. Here, he has a small field of five runners, and although his main danger has drawn one (Duke’s Choice), I think this guy will be winning. He has shown he can be driven with a sit or doing it tough. So, Rohan has the ball in his court to drive according to the tempo of the race.
Roughie
Launceston Race 3 – 12. Pepper Stride
A good run at her first race start last week. She enjoyed a lovely trip on the back of the eventual winner, and although she wobbled through the corner, she hit the line strongly in the straight. The draw makes it very tough, but if some of the more fancied runners drawn on the front row can get into a bit of a battle, then this filly will be finishing off strongly again. I think she will improve with more experience, so keep an eye on her.
Under the radar
Burnie Race 7 – 4. Cool Scooter
Quite a strong field here, but this guy is back to the front row and into his most successful start being a standing start. He enjoyed great success here last summer, and after a couple of tough draws at his past few starts, I expect he will be right in this race. If he can use his usual good manners and ping to the front, he will be a huge chance.
Value runners
Burnie Race 5 – 6. Spooky Girl
A fabulously consistent mare that trainer Danny Malone has going great. Placing at her last seven starts, including a good win in Hobart. She makes the long trek up to Burnie to race on this scenic circuit. She has an awkward inside second-row draw to contend with. However, it appears on paper that The Atherlete should lead so she will get a gun run behind it. With any luck from there, she will be right in the finish.
Burnie Race 2 – 8. Fiesta Stride
I was really happy with the way this filly won last week in Launceston. The opposition only appeared fair, but she showed great gate speed to lead and the heart to run 28 down the back and still tough it out to win comfortably. The draw here is the main concern as she will have to come around the field with a run at some stage, but I will drive her to the tempo. If they are going slow, I will make a mid-race move, and if there is some genuine speed, I’ll save her up for her sprint; either way, she will be right in this.
