Backhouse hoping to make the most of a trip home

Former Tasmanian-based harness racing driver Ryan Backhouse will be looking to make the most of a weekend back in his home state, with the young reinsman booked for drives in Hobart on Friday night (Apr. 14) and again in Launceston on Sunday evening.

Backhouse moved to Victoria in late December to work with Horsham-based trainer Aaron Dunn.

He drove his first Victorian winner at his third drive and has continued that form, winning four of the last 10 races that he has contested.

“I’m really enjoying it.

“I’m getting a lot of opportunities now, which is good,” said Backhouse.

One of those opportunities is with his father Paul, purchasing a filly by Mcwicked out of Vampish Hanover at the recent Nutrien Yearling Sales.

This weekend he will be looking to mix business and pleasure.

“It’s just a trip home to see the family, so I thought while I was over, I would try to pick up a few drives,” added the driver.

The best of those drives appear to be Kiavino Stride, who will line up in the Woodsdale Football Club Pace in Hobart on Friday night, a track where the pacer has won six of 60 starts, with 14 minor placings to his credit.

Trained by Ben Yole, the Somebeachsomewhere gelding has drawn in barrier two.

“He should be leading from the draw, and should be hard to beat,” said the driver, who watches the Tasmanian product every week.

When Backhouse returns to Victoria on Monday, it will be straight back to business. He has drives at Ararat on Monday night before heading to Mildura on Tuesday evening.

Friday night’s Hobart meeting features seven races, commencing at 17:41 and can be seen on Sky Racing 2 and TasracingTV.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing