Harness racing driver Jacob Duggan will be out to notch up his 150th career win in the sulky at Hobart’s Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Friday night.
Duggan currently sits on 149 wins and will be kept busy with a drive in all seven races on the program.
“Some of them haven’t got the kindest draws, but on their last few starts they should be there with a bit of luck,” said Duggan.
Among Duggan’s leading chances is Zeus Immortal in the Smithawards Pace (2090m).
The gelded son of The Storm Inside has won five of his 24 starts, and has only missed a top five finish in two of his past 15 starts, including a fifth in the Raider Stakes Final, when only defeated by six metres two starts ago.
“We thought he was very stiff not to get a run in the Beautide. He’s turned into a very consistent horse,” said Duggan.
He will start from a 20m handicap on Friday, at what will be the pacer’s first standing-start race.
“He’s obviously qualified and been steady away, but I think drawing out there and being able to follow them away will play a big part in him getting away safely.
“He’s going to have to get a bit of luck, and his manners are going to have to be spot on to make up that 20 metres, just over the short 2090m,” said the driver.
In race five, the Typeface Pace (1609m), Duggan partners the Paul Medhurst-trained Starofremembrance, who starts from inside of the second row, following out race favourite Colorado Girl.
“In those up-to-49 and up-to-42 rating races, she’s always thereabouts.
“It looks like there could be a bit of speed there which will help,” said Duggan.
Former Victorian pacer The Devils Flame will start from the pole in the Hygain Pace (2090m), as he chases his second win at his fourth Tasmanian start.
“He steps out to the 2090m (for the first time in Tasmania), but there are a couple in there that are dropping back in grade, and the draw plays into his hands.
“He’s got good gate speed, so I reckon we’ll have to use that. But it’s not going to be the worst case if we do get crossed (with it being a small field),” said the driver.
The seven-race card is scheduled to commence at 17:07.
