Battle for premiership lead heats up in Tasmania

A driving double from Mitch Ford in Launceston on Friday night has seen the 18-year-old harness racing reinsman draw level with Conor Crook at the top of the state driving premiership.

Both Mitch and Conor have driven 41 Tasmanian winners so far during 2022.

Mitch kicked off the night when partnering Mach Angelo to victory in the night’s opening race.

The gelded son of Mach Three was positioned one-out and three-back, before getting a lovely cart into the race over the final 700m, to sprint home best to score by 1.9m.

Mitch drew level at the top of the drivers’ title when partnering $13 chance Vivid Stride to victory in race three.

The daughter of Art Major had been winless in 21 starts this season, but from barrier three on the second-row over the 1680m trip, she was able able to enjoy some solid early sections before racing three-wide with cover from the 700m.

Mitch produced the mare wider on the track at the 400m, where she proved too strong for her rivals late.

If Mitch can be in front of the drivers’ title on 31 December, he will become the first junior driver to win the overall drivers’ premiership since Gareth Rattray with 113 wins in the 2007/08 season.

Both of Mitch’s winners were prepared by Ben Yole, and he trained six of the eight winners on Friday’s card with Keep Playing (Charlie Castles), Lifeofbrian (Nathan Ford), Longnwindingroad (Dylan Ford) and the longest price winner of the night being $61 hope The Democrat (Gareth Rattray).

Mitch’s cousin Dylan partnered Karmic Fire to his first win since being transferred to the Tammy Langley stable in the first leg of the quaddie.

Bettor’s Delight mare Lalasa took her record to four wins from 14-starts with a last to first victory, with claiming novice driver Liam Older taking the drive for Longford trainer Todd Rattray.

For complete race results and replays, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing