New South Wales harness racing driver Brad Elder made the most of a weekend getaway to Tasmania, driving a winner at the Launceston meeting on Friday night and then again in Devonport on Sunday afternoon.
His Launceston winner came in the way of Ultimate Me (Bettors Delight) for trainer Ben Yole, with the pacer leading all the way to score over the 1680m trip, while his Devonport winner came in the way of Bao Nien (Artistic Fella).
The Conor Crook trained six-year-old gelding was well supported on the Tasracing Official Price, backed in from $6.50 into the $3.10 second elect.
Bao Nien possessed good gate speed to lead in the 2297m event, and after an extremely slow lead time of 54.7s, Bao Nien was challenged for the lead in the middle stages before racing away from his rivals to score by 6.7m over race favourite Montana Storm with the fast-finishing Arden Roanoke a further 3.4m away third.
The win was extra special for Brad Elder as not only did he take the drive on the pacer but he was also the winning owner.
It was another good day at the office for last seasons Leading Australian trainer Ben Yole with a training quartet.
Young Rooster ($11) recorded his second win in the space of a week, continuing the gelding’s good association with concession reinsman Mitch Ford.
My Celebrity ($5.50) recorded his 11th career win with Conor Crook in the sulky.
While Jordan Chibnall teamed up with Yole with a long price double with the wins of former Victorian John Richard ($31 into $26) and Mach Charm ($21 into $18), who was having her first start for the season.
Brighton trainer Tammy Langley and her son, reinsman Dylan Ford, continued their good form with a double through Joey Girl ($5.50 into $4.80) and recent stable addition Incognito ($4.20 into $3.30) who collected his $8,000 Tasbred bonus when scoring in the last race of the day.
Brighton trainer Bianca Heenan had success on the card when she teamed up with her life partner Nathan Ford to score with Im Lady Madeleine to score in the first leg of the quaddie, the A Rocknroll Dance mare has been transferred to the Ben Yole stable.
Rodney Ashwood made the trip to Devonport with one runner, and he left with one winner when Ninefortwentythree led all the way to break his maiden status in the opening race.
By Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing