Harness racing heads to Scottsdale this Friday afternoon for their annual meeting which attracts a fantastic crowd from the community.
Mark Yole will take the night off from racing at Scottsdale and head down south to Hobart for an exciting 9 race program on Sunday which features the New Norfolk Cup which is run on the grass track and the Hobart Cup for the open class horses.
Here are Yoles thoughts on his drives:
Hobart 12th January
Race 2- Puntarno Stride: Going along consistently of late, although did make a mistake when looking well placed at St Mary’s. It might pay to forgive that as there were a few horses that did the same on that day in the same spot on the track. Comes up with a good draw here and he should settle in a handy forward position so could run a nice race.
Race 3 – Rock On Playboy: This guy has really hit a purple patch. It’s amazing what a win can do for a horse’s confidence. He sprinted home well last week at this track and distance. I do think this race is much harder but with a good run he should be around the mark again.
Race 4 – Iden Eliza Jane: Although her form looks plain on paper, I thought her last run was a bit more promising. She again draws wide on the front row. She seems to have a good sprint on her but just hasn’t learnt when to use that speed at this point of her career.
Race 5 – Kerala Star: No luck at his past two runs. He was checked and knocked out of play at Carrick in a race I thought he was a great chance in. Then from a wide draw last week I had to go right back to last and sustain a three and four wide run over the last 800. I thought he finished off very well. He again has a tough draw but if I can get up onto the speed here, where I think he races best he could be a good chance.
Race 6 – Major Lester (Best of the weekend): A perennial place getter, it was good to see this fellow breakthrough last week, albeit by the barest of margins. He goes into the grass track stand here and off the front row I believe he is a great chance. If I can get him into a favorable position, he should be finishing off strongly once again and give this race a real shake.
Race 7 – Vanquish Stride: A bit of a disappointing run first up in the state last week. This being the Hobart Cup is a very strong race but I’m hopeful of getting into a good position from the draw and if there’s plenty of speed, he usually has a strong finishing burst. With luck he could figure.
Race 8 – Swimintheriver: A horse that mixes his form a bit. He gets conditions to suit here. He loves the mile and also has good gate speed. If I was able to lead, I’d say he would be very hard to beat. If not, I still think he can run a nice race.
Race 9 – Arden Roanoke: Going along okay, although seemed to go off a little after the Dynamo race here four starts back. It was not one of my better drives… From this draw and over the mile I think he will get a nice run on the fence and could figure in the finish.
