26 April 2024
by Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing

Two fantastic meetings were held in Hobart and Launceston last weekend, and plenty of human and equine talent was on display.

This week, harness racing will be held in Hobart on Friday night and in Launceston on Sunday evening.

The Stars

Rohan Hillier – extended his lead at the top of the state drivers’ premiership with a weekend treble. Two of his winners came in Launceston. This season, Hillier is driving at a winning strike rate of 26.9%.

Brodie Davis – another that has continued his good form after a driving double on Sunday, winning aboard Spacewriter and Tambros Tilly. The double came on the back of Davis winning the BOTRA Claiming Novice Drivers series the week prior.

Pardoe Plugga – the multiple Country Cup winner from earlier this year, was back in the winner’s list when finishing off best to score in the night’s final race.

Wayne Yole – trained a double in Hobart on Friday night before preparing three winners in Launceston on Sunday night, including Messerati in the Discretionary Handicap.

Feats of the meet

Hobart, 19 April
Wayne Yole – training double.

Launceston, 21 April
Wayne Yole – training treble,
Brodie Davis – driving double,
Rohan Hillier – driving double,
Robert Walters – driving double.

Calculated Sectional Standouts

Hobart, 19 April
From race three: Royal Appointment 56.08s, Jilliby Mendoza 56.89s and Fiesta Stride 56.91s. Outside of race three: Mr Kiwi 58.21s, Mayleejae Eagle 58.28s and Southern Luck 58.35s.

Launceston, 21 April
From race six: Nyack 55.67s, Miss Papenhuyzen 56.02s and Racketeers Boy 56.35s. Outside of race six: Nova Baxter 57.14, Fiesta Stride 57.46 and Star Watching 57.51s.

Tasracing Official Price

Hobart, 19 April
Hit’s: Fury Dan $3.80 into $2.20, Royal Reactor $21 into $15, Moneys No Issue $2.30 into $1.80 and No Nukes Skipper $6.00 into $4.00.
Defied The Drift: Royal Appointment $2.10 out to $2.25.
Missed: Brian Who $4.20 into $3.00, All For Dave $2.80 into $2.05, Nine Diamonds $4.40 into $3.70 and Cardinal Sin $3.70 into $2.90.

Launceston, 21 April
Hit’s: Nova Baxter $6.50 into $4.20, Tambros Tilly $5.00 into $4.00 and Botany Bay Warrior $8.00 into $5.00.
Defied The Drift: Spacewriter $3.20 out to $3.40, Indelible $2.60 out to $4.40, We Salute You $6.00 out to $8.00, Messerati $6.00 out to $10, Pardoe Plugga, was $16 into $8.50 before drifting to $13.
Missed: Isolation $2.50 into $2.15, All For Dave $4.40 into $3.00, Hazewillrev $2.00 into $1.75, More Than This $26 into $12, Jo An Jo $4.40 into $3.90, Mister Finnigan $3.90 into $3.00, Nyack $2.70 into $1.85, Heres Henry $21 into $8.50 into $8.50, Velocity Stride $17 into $8.00 and Letsgobro $4.60 into $3.10.

Week Ahead

Friday: Racing in Hobart from 17:46.

Saturday: Trials at Carrick Park from 9:00.

Some runners racing interstate with a Tasmanian connection include:

Melton
Race 1 #5 Kosimo,
Race 2 #9 Dukes Choice.

Menangle
Race 1 #5 Boom.

Sunday: Harness racing in Launceston with an eight-race card race card from 17:16.

In New South Wales, the $60,000 Merino Cup is the feature race at Goulburn where Max Delight lines up from barrier 12, and recent Tasmania and Easter Cup placegetter Star Major has returned home and will line up from barrier 11 in the race.

*Overseas fields unavailable at the time of publication for Bridwood Bella, Ignatius and Lip Reader.