Hobart treble for Laugher and Hillier

Westbury trainer Michael Laugher continued his excellent strike rate for the 2023 harness racing season in Hobart on Sunday night, where he prepared a treble on the 10-race card.

So far this season, Micheal has a 16% winning strike rate, his best since the 2011/12 season.

His first winner on Sunday came with former Victorian three-year-old Royal Appointment (Guaranteed) ($1.80 fav), who was stepping out for the first time since joining Laugher’s stable from Victoria.

The gelded son of Guaranteed showed terrific gate speed to find the lead soon after the start in the 2090m event, and after controlling the race, the pacer was able to race away from his harness racing rivals rounding the final bend on his way to a 17.6m victory.

Talented mare Killarney Dance has done an outstanding job since being purchased by Michael and his wife Tony from New Zealand in June, with the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance winning seven races since crossing the Tasman Sea.

The $1.75 favourite showed good gate speed to lead in a strong 70 to 79-rated event (2090m).

Taken straight to the lead, Killarney Dance had the race run on her terms to record a 6.3m win over Letsgobro and Spooky Girl.

Also victorious was nine-year-old gelding Em Jays Blackchip ($19), who proved too quick for his rivals late after having a soft run on the pegs in a 50 to 52 rated race.

Rohan Hillier drove all three winners.

Michael is better known these days as the father of Jack, who has been doing outstanding things in the sulky in Victoria, including driving his 100th winner for the season several weeks ago and running Michael’s Victorian satellite stable.

Several in-form pacers also continued their winning form at the Hobart meeting, including open-class pacer Villacci, three-year-old Nyack, and the Tasmanian Trotting Club-owned Shark Attack.

Another highlight at the meeting was the first training win for Charlie Castles, who trained Subine to victory in a two-year-old maiden event.

The win came at his third starter as a trainer.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing