Downbytheseaside gelding Waves Of Chance ($2.20) opened his winning account in Tasmania when claiming a National Rating 75 to 105 event over 2090m in Hobart on Sunday night.
Driver Jack Watson had no hesitation in holding the lead on the Juanita McKenzie-trained pacer, who held off Power Up ($10) by 2.1m, with Custom Harley ($2.10 fav) third in a mile rate of 1:58.5s.
“I was keen to hold the lead, and then Heath (Woods, driver of Custom Harley) put the handlebars down, and it became a truly run race, my bloke was super tough late, and I was really happy with him,” said Watson.
The pacer who was second-up in the state, had been racing in the Riverina district of New South Wales, and was only defeated by 13.7m at Group 1 level in April.
He is raced by one of the country’s largest harness racing owners, Mick Boots, who races several horses in the state with various trainers.
“He’s probably the best-looking horse, in terms of condition and coat, that we’ve ever had come down,” Watson said.
“It’s a credit to his previous trainer. Josh Powderly. He looked a million dollars when he arrived, and Josh has helped mum by letting us know a few of his quirks,” said Watson.
“I reckon he will progress a little bit more through his grades,” the driver added about the pacer who has now won nine of his 29 starts, and is still at a rating level where Watson’s five-point concession claim can be of benefit.
The Meeker Fillies and Mares Pace was won by Centurian Miss ($4.60), who flashed home down the outside to score by a head for the Brodie and Steven Davis combination. Centurian Miss’s own last half mile was 55.53s on the Tasracing Calculated Sectionals, which was the fastest of the meeting.
Banjo Star ($1.05 fav) recorded a dominant win in the Sires Produce by 23.8m in 1:59.9s, with Jordan Chibnall taking the reins for Victorian trainer Michael Breen.
The Sires Produce was a former feature race held by the now defunct New Norfolk Pacing Club, and one of the last New Norfolk-based trainers, Roger Whitmore, prepared the first race winner, Resurgent Warrior ($9), in the opening race, with Rodney Ashwood taking the winning drive.
Driving honours at the meeting went to Mark Yole, who drove a treble, scoring with Go The Red ($2.50), Affamato ($1.12 fav) and Auston ($1.05 fav).
