Family domination across states

It has a been a busy few days for harness racing’s Laugher family, and it was Westbury trainer Michael Laugher’s turn in the spotlight when Believe In Forever (Rock N Roll Heaven) recorded his third win of the season in Hobart on Sunday night (Jul. 17).

From barrier three the gelding ended up one-out and four-back, before circling rivals out very wide on the track to score in the mile event by four-metres over Lifeofbrian and Oneofthelads.

Believe In Forever has had 26 starts this season for three wins and 10 minor placings, with the seven-year-old gelding running a career best 1m 55.8s in Launceston in June, with Sunday’s mile rate recorded in a much slower 2m 0.1s due to the rain affected track.

“You can’t use him early, you have no option than to go back and get in at the first opportunity, which is what Charlie (Castles) done,” said Westbury trainer Michael Laugher about the win.

“He has been going good for a while, the only time he hasn’t gone any good was when we used him out of the gate as he doesn’t run on. So we have given that all up with him now,” Michael explained.

Michael was a proud father on Friday night (Jul. 15) watching on as his son Jack drove seven winners at Mildura in north-western Victoria.

“It was pretty exciting watching.

“He drove in every race and gave all of them every hope, it wasn’t like they were all $1.50 favourites.”

Jack recently retuned to the sulky from a driving suspension and has driven 89 winners for the season and is fifth on the Victorian drivers’ premiership this season.

It was a bittersweet night for the Tasmanians on the Mildura card with Alex Ashwood being involved in a spectacular race fall breaking his nose and wrist, hairline fractures to his lower back, deep lacerations to his mouth and severe facial bruising.

All in the Tasmanian harness racing industry wish Alex a speedy recovery.

For complete race results from Hobart on Sunday, click here.

For complete race results from Mildura on Friday, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing