Loyola Trios gives Pratten something to smile about

It hasn’t been a good week for Lietinna-based trainer Kyle Pratten, but he ended it on a high note when Loyola Trios (Mach Three) ($6.50) bounced back into the harness racing winner’s list in the Trainers Encouragement Pace (2200m) in Launceston on Sunday night.

The eight-year-old gelding settled three-back the pylons before working into the clear at the top of the straight to pick up the leaders within the final 50m of the race to record his first win since May in a mile rate of 2:01.6s.

“It was the easiest field he has come up against for a while, and he loves the long straight in Launceston,” said Pratten.

Pratten watched the race from the Launceston General Hospital after being involved in a track work accident on Monday.

“I was fast working a horse which took fright at something jumping out of the bush.

“I landed on my back, which is badly bruised, and I have a lot of scrapes on my arms, with my left getting a bad infection.

“I was operated on Sunday and should know today (Monday) when I can go home,” said Pratten.

The trainer is due to tie the knot in a couple of weeks.

The win of Loyola Trios was one of three driving winners for Rohan Hillier, who also trained and drove Hy On A Hill ($2.05 fav) and All By Myself ($1.65 fav) to victory.

In the night’s open class race, the Tasmanian Horse Transport Free For All (2200m) Victorian-owned pacer Rackemup Tigerpie ($10) was able to record his fourth win of the season with a 1.1m win over Villacci ($7) and Cool Water Paddy ($12).

The Tammy Langley-trained gelding settled back in the field before improving into the race three-wide with cover from the 700m, before picking up the leaders over the concluding stages in a mile rate of 1:58.7s.

“A month ago, he sort of went off in the coat, but in the last couple of weeks, he has been really good, and he had jumped out of the ground with his work, and Tammy and I were expecting a forward showing,” said Ford post-race

“The owner is keen to give him a crack at the Golden Apple while he is still here. I’m pretty sure he will go that way. He has been giving them a bit of a start in the mobiles, so it won’t be much different. We will just have to drive him for some luck,” the driver added.

The Golden Apple heats are scheduled for 26 November, with the $50,000 final on 3 December.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing