The state’s junior drivers were out in full force in Hobart on Friday night, winning five of the six races, on a night where no favourite won.
Mitch Ford, who leads this season’s junior driver premiership, landed a winning double when kicking off the night aboard Outback Lass ($21) in the Ladbrokes Big Bets Pace (1609m).
The Michael Laugher-trained daughter of Lincoln Royal had a nice run in the one-one before improving three-wide from the 300m, to record a half-head win.
Ford won later in the night on 10-year-old gelding Mach Angelo ($3.30).
Eight-year-old mare Starofremembrance ($4, pictured) claimed her second win of the season in the Fehlbergs Produce Sprint Lane Pace (1609m).
The Paul Medhust-trained pacer was given a lovely drive by Jacob Duggan in the one-one position, before racing three-wide near the 800m. Duggan switched the pacer back to the inside on the home turn and proved too good by a half-head along the sprint lane to score.
The win saw the mare pass $100,000 in prize money earnings.
Ethan Arnott, who is in his first full season of driving, claimed his third win of the season with Moneys No Issue ($5.50), while Liam Older continued his good form since relocating from Victoria to win the final race aboard Rocks Roy ($4.80).
The only senior driver to win on the program was Hannah Van Dongen, who won aboard Angelshavtime ($5.50), with the win being a middle leg of a winning treble for the Wayne Yole stable.
The state’s best junior drivers, per Tasracing policy, will be on display in Launceston next month, when the four-race Youngbloods Challenge will be held on Saturday night, 29 November.
The Youngbloods challenge is for drivers who are less than 23 years of age at the start of the current racing season.
With the top five drives from last season and the top five from this season being selected, the last few spots are set to come down to the wire, as the drivers are selected based on the premiership standings 28 days prior to the meeting.
