Maree retains winning drive

Debt Till We Part (Santastic Pan) will be chasing his 14th career harness racing win in Hobart on Friday night (Jan. 20) when the gelding lines up in the Nutrien Sprint Lane Pace.

The Paul Williams-trained pacer has won two of his past three starts and was on the winner’s list in Hobart on 8 January, finishing off best to score in a rating 30 to 59 event.

Paul, the pacer’s regular driver, was on the sidelines through injury and gave driving responsibilities to his partner Maree Blake.

“I didn’t want to drive him, but Paul was out of action.

“I told him to get someone else as I was concerned he wouldn’t go for me, but it was fantastic,” said Maree about the win.

In what was to be a one-off drive, Maree has retained the drive again this week.

“I’d much rather Paul drive them as I don’t have the experience. I’m happy to be screaming and cheering on the outside fence,” she said after her first driving win since the 2017/18 season.

The barrier draw hasn’t been kind to Debt Till We Part on Friday, drawing outside the front row, as he steps up into a rating 55 to 59 event.

And the race has brought together an even field, including Smooth Deal, who is looking for a winning hat-trick, while Ah Mach, Reckless Dream, Please Shuddup, Sharmey and Whey Better have all won a race in their last three outings.

Friday’s nine-race Hobart card commences at 17:58 and can be seen on Sky Racing 2 and TasracingTV.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing