Dead heat in Claiming Novice Drivers series

Jacob Duggan and Malcom Jones have dead-heated for first in the 2023 Cavalor Claiming Novice Drivers Harness Racing Series.

Both drivers accumulated 47 points across the five heats held in Hobart on Sunday night, for the third dead heat in the series that commenced in 2012.

Jacob secured maximum points in heat four when scoring on $21 chance Proficient (Bettor’s Delight), the pacers first win of the season.

Positioned one-out and three-back, Duggan improved into the race out three-wide from the 700m before dashing to the lead at the 400m going on to prove too good for Cool Scooter by 3.6m, with that pair 17.8m clear of their remaining rivals.

Jacob also drove placings in heats two and five.

Malcom recorded placings in heats one and four before scoring the fifth heat with $5.50 chance Kick It To Jack (Village Jolt).

From a wide draw, Malcom was able to position the Village Jolt gelding outside the leader before running to the lead on the final bend to hold off the challenge of Jacob’s drive Gordievsky Leis over the concluding stages.

Final leaderboard:

• Jacob Duggan and Malcom Jones 47
• Brodie Davis 44
• Mitch Ford 37
• Jakob White 33
• Kayleb Williams 32
• Charlie Castles 30
• Hannah Van Dongen 23
• Tiarna Ford 21
• Jack Watson 16.

White’s first win

The first heat of the series was one that 21-year-old Jakob White won’t forget when he crossed the line first with Turquoise Stride.

It was his first winning drive since commencing his career in the sulky in the 2021 season.

“Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to be involved.

“My parents (Michael and Simone White) raced horses with Brendan Pursell back when I was little,” said White.

Another long price winner

2023 has been a year of long priced winners, and that continued with Grizzly Montana who started at $101 to score in the Trainers Encouragement Pace.

The gelding was confidently driven from outside of the front-row to lead by Nathan Ford, to give Scottsdale based trainer Max Wadley his first training win.

Jimmy gets the luck of the Irish

Jimmy The Irishman, was able to keep his unbeaten record in Tasmania intact when he scored in the Prydes Easifeed Brighton Cup.

From the pole, trainer-driver Rohan Hillier positioned the pacer behind the leader before obtaining clear running from the 600m to record an easy win.

The time for the 2579m was 3m 12.4s, 0.4s quicker than this year’s Tasmania Cup.

For complete Hobart race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing