Two state double for Laugher

Tasmanian born reinsman Jack Laugher has been enjoying a great run in the sulky in his new adopted state of Victoria, and yesterday he registered a double.

Laugher’s first leg of his double came at Melton on Friday afternoon when he drove $12 chance Desert Flyer to victory.

He then found his way into the winner’s circle in Launceston as an owner when eight-year-old gelding Christian Jaz scored on Friday night.

Sent out as a $4.80 chance, Christian Jaz ended up one-out and two-back from his second row draw over the 1680-metre trip before working into the clear 100 metres out to fly home and score courtesy of a well-timed drive by Rohan Hillier.

It was the first win since the gelded son of Christian Cullen scored at Melton in July 2018, and trainer Micheal Laugher explained how the winner of 11 races has been a little bit frustrating in some recent runs.

“A couple of times when he had a good chance of winning, he wanted to jump out of his gear, he was going to win one day when he dropped back to that grade,” said Micheal.

“The mile suited him, and he had a lovely run into the race, and it was a good drive by Rohan (Hillier),” added the Westbury based trainer.

Micheal is expecting the pacer to be able to pick up another win or two if placed in the right race.

“With the right run in the right races he is always thereabouts, and the way he hit the line tonight he may win another one,” he said.

“He is owned by Jack, so it’s another winner for him,” laughed Laugher.

Jack has driven 14 winners in Victoria out of his last 50 drives including a double at Melton on 12 July, four winners at Kilmore on 14 July, another double at Melton on 17 July and a treble at Cranbourne on 2 August.

He has driven 58 winners and 150 placings in Victoria this season which sees him in third spot on the concession driver’s premiership.

Laugher is currently restricted to driving at metropolitan zone apart of Harness Racing Victoria’s COVID restrictions.

The win of Christian Jaz was the first part of a driving double for Rohan Hillier who trained and drove Prosecution Witness to victory on the night.

Todd Rattray also drove a double including the feature race of the evening, the Cliff Robins Memorial with Kuzma, who he also trains, and the claiming race of the night on the Heath Szczypka prepared Bounty Eyre.

Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing