Classic win to honour former Tasmanian Premier

Streetside Classic caused a mini boil over when he powered home to defeat the odds-on harness racing favourite Inner Light in the Eric Reece Memorial final over 2090 metres.

Inner Light ($1.40 led from gate two while Streetside Classic took a trail on the fence from the pole position.

Postal Express ($84) worked around the field to face the breeze and put pressure on the leader to well into the back straight the last time with Streetside Classic's driver Ricky Duggan urging his charge to stay in touch.

But instead of using the sprint lane in the home straight Duggan eased Streetside Classic wide to make his charge and the gelding did enough to grab victory in the shadows of the post over Inner Light with outsider Alpinion coming from well back to grab third.

The Eric Reece Memorial is named in honour of one of Tasmania's most popular premier's who was leader of the Labor Party for two decades.

The Labor Party has been in opposition for three years with the coming state election in March to determine whether Will Hodgman's The Liberals will be asked to form another Government while the Leader of the Opposition, Rebecca White, will be hoping for a landslide in her favour.

Ms White was at the Hobart harness meeting on Friday night to officiate after the Eric Reece final and she showed she was dab hand with the horses by strolling up to Streetside Classic and grasping the rein to have her photo taken with the talented pacer.

Streetside Classic is trained by Daryl Bates who only has a few horses in work.

The Eric Reece is a race much sought after by trainers, especially the battlers and hobby-trainers.

Peter Staples