Feature harness racing edges closer this weekend with two heats of the Tassie Golden Apple in Launceston on Sunday.
Mar Yole will be prominent at both Tassie meetings and provides his regular thoughts on his drives across Hobart and Launceston.
Hobart, 22 November
Race 1 – Iden Regal Wave: No luck last start when I just couldn’t get him to restrain and got trapped three wide. He has a bit better draw here, so hoping he can get his chance to break through.
Race 2 – Kiavino Stride: Racing well, is very one-dimensional. I’ll be looking to put him up into the race and he should be right in the finish.
Race 3 – Lalibela: Comes up with a lovely draw, she will most likely sit behind the leader and hopefully take full advantage of the sprint lane.
Race 4 – Brian Who: One that made up good ground last week in a Dynamo race. The draw is tricky as he follows Morris Brown out, and it has been slowly away recently. If luck comes his way, he will be in with a chance.
Race 5 – Sharmey: Really gave a great sight last week here when leading and took a lot of catching. If I can hold the lead again, which I should, he will be hard to get past.
Race 6 – Ranieri: He has been racing very well, although last week was below par for him. He gets a better draw here where he will race on the pegs, which he really enjoys. I see him sitting three back along the pylons, and if he gets a split up the straight, he will be hitting the line hard.
Launceston, 24 November
Race 2 – Jilliby Sorrento: He has run a couple of fourths since arriving in the state. This race looks hard, but he does have a handy draw, so he could be somewhere in the mix.
Race 3 – Keayang Kevin: Interesting runner, he had an ideal sit last week behind the leader but just didn’t finish off over the 1100m. I don’t think that distance suited him as he feels like he needs a breather in his races. He gets a good draw to settle handy and should be in the finish over this trip.
Race 4 – Kerala Star: Hit the line well last week from last. A much better draw here, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him being much closer.
Race 5 – We Salute You: Very strong heat of the Golden Apple; he usually steps away well, and if he gets a nice run, it could be a bit of a roughie for followers.
Race 6 – Fleetwood Rock: Running honestly of late without troubling the scorer; tricky draw here, but it should settle in handy. Would like to see him run a more encouraging race.
Race 7 – Keayang Fitzy: Second heat of the Golden Apple, has the talent to win this race but the handicap is difficult, and he is still learning to step away from the stand. Over this trip I’d hope to get him away safely and then drive him with a sit, tempo dependant of course. He should be hitting the line strongly.
Race 8 – Keayang Wolfpack: Nice winner in Hobart a few starts ago, then hasn’t really fired since. Gets an ideal draw and should be leading. I think he can run a much-improved race.
Race 9 – Andaman Bay: Ok run last week when first up. I thought he hit the line nicely. Horror draw here, and I’ll drive him similarly, and he should be improving again with the run.
