Harness racing trainer Charlie Castles has been enjoying a strong season.
With the Easter Cup win of Gordons Bay in Launceston earlier this year, the highlight, the trainer has enjoyed a total of 14 wins and 25 placings from his 76 starters.
His top-three strike rate of 51.32% is the best among Tasmanians with a minimum of 75 starters this season.
He will be out to maintain that strike rate at Launceston’s Ladbrokes Racing Centre, Mowbray, on Friday evening with two last-start winners representing his stable.
Tullah Girl will line up in the Ladbrokes Next Multi in Next Up Pace (2200m), a standing-start event for pacers rated 55 or better.
The daughter of American Ideal has recorded her past three wins in standing-start races, including an all-the-way win on 24 July.
“There are a few good beginners off the front this week, but she’s tough enough and has enough talent that she doesn’t have to be in front to win.
“I think if she can get a nice run, she will finish off well,” said Castles.
Earlier in the night, Kaybee will contest the Nellie Robins Pace (2200m), a race restricted to three-year-olds with no more than one lifetime win.
Kaybee, a gelded son of Stay Hungry, recorded his maiden win in Launceston on Saturday night at his fourth career start.
“He’s been a bit of a work in progress.
“I was very happy with how he went. He keeps improving, that’s all you can ask for,” the trainer-driver said.
Castles has one outside drive on the card, the Shelley Barnes-trained Watch Your Back in the Jillian Robins Stakes (2200m).
The pacer is second-up in the state since arriving from Victoria.
“He got pulling pretty badly, and he just locked on. He seemed to be all right when he was on a helmet in the warm-up. At least we’ve got that this week from his second-row draw,” said the driver.
The eight-race card is scheduled to commence at 17:05.
