Hillier’s mare proving to be a Lil Ripper

Well-travelled mare Lil Ripper (Bettor’s Delight) took her harness racing record to two wins from three starts in Tasmania after her win in the Ladbrokes Hub Pace (2090m) in Hobart on Sunday night.

The Rohan Hillier-trained and driven mare was sent out as the $1.28 favourite behind the leader but was inclined to pace roughly on the corners, which would have been a concern for punters who backed the six-year-old Bettors Delight mare.

Once the pacer balanced up in the home straight, she let down with a fast finishing burst to score by 3.9m over Sharkattack ($7.50) and Galaxy Dancer ($6.50) in a mile rate of 1:59.7s.

“She has always had a bit of a problem getting around the turns, but that was probably the worst she had ever been.

“She has plenty of ability but just needs to straighten up (on the corners),” said Hillier post-race.

The mare’s only defeat in the state was the start prior in the Mares Incentive in Launceston when second at $1.12, where she did work early to lead.

“The owners reckon she can’t run the gate and do any work early, so we will go that way and see how she goes,” the trainer-driver said.

Hillier has plenty of options for the mare over the coming weeks.

“I will poke around in the stands, as I think she will be a good stand horse.

“There is the Meander Valley Cup at Carrick on Sunday and the Patrons Marathon and a few of those sorts of races coming up,” he said.

The win was a middle leg of a driving treble for Hillier, who scored on the Dean Braun-trained Franco Promachos ($1.09 fav) and Christian Jaz ($2.50) for trainer Michael Laugher later in the night.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing