Mark Yole was in fine form last weekend with a treble at Launceston and is hoping he can continue on his winning way this weekend. Just the one drive at Carrick on Sunday but it will start a short-priced favourite and be hard to run down.
Friday night at Hobart he will take the steer on visiting horses Attagirl and Shoobees Spirit which are in the state for the first time from the Craig Jamieson stable.
Yole gives his thoughts on his drives across the weekend below:
Hobart 14 February
Race 1 – Iden Oliver: Interesting runner here. This gelding has joined the Christian Salter team and returns from a spell. He has little form to go on, however, this race is a maiden, and it appears to be an even field. I will just play it as it comes and will drive this fellow on feel. Whatever he does he should improve on, but I wouldn’t surprise me to see him figuring in the money.
Race 2 – Attagirl (Best of the night): I don’t know a lot about this filly, but she does bring good form with her from the mainland. She appears to have good gate speed on her replays and from this ideal pole draw she should be able to lead. From there I will be able to rate her, and I expect her to be right in the finish.
Race 3 – Spooky Girl: I’m reunited with one of my old favourites here, her form hasn’t been quite at her best of late, but she is working up to peak fitness and from this handy draw I would be hoping to settle her into a forward position. This is a strong race, but it would be nice to see her in the money.
Race 4 – Shoobees Spirit: Another one that brings handy Victorian form to the state. I have liked this horse for a while and am thrilled to get the drive on him. I am a big fan of the progeny of Shoobees Place as I think they are very workman like horses. From the draw I would be looking to take up a forward position and if I can I think he can be right in the finish. He appears better with a sit but has shown in the past he can do a bit of work if required and still be right there. Great hope.
Race 7 – Southern Luck: A better run in Launceston last week. He showed some gate speed to end up behind the leader. The tempo was pedestrian which did him no favours, however he boxed on well to only be beaten a short distance in a very quick last quarter. Here it’s much tougher. He has the outside gate, and the opposition are mostly in good form and there are 72 and 81 rating pacer’s that get into this field very well. This guy is only a 62 rater so I hope he can be in the money from the draw.
Carrick 16 February
Race 1 – Beat Sweet (Best of the weekend): A very impressive performance from this mare in Launceston last week. She gets into this race well. From the good draw I will be pushing forward and looking to dictate from the front. She should be winning again. I’m thrilled to be getting to sit behind a quality mare like her.
