Rattray and Hillier in premiership battle

Three meetings remain for the extended 2019-2020 season and the state’s drivers title is going straight down to the line with Rohan Hillier and Gareth Rattray locked at the top of the table after the meeting in Burnie on Friday night.

Hillier drove a double on the six-race card, with Gareth Rattray also finding the winners stall.

The reinsman showed why he is one of the best standing start drivers in the state when he got Artyboy Glenwood to fly away and lead in the Dowling McCarthy Tyres North West Plate Heat One.

Ozzie Major who settled on the back of Artyboy Glenwood looked the one to beat down the back, and Hillier managed to hold that pacer in a pocket and hold off a late charge by Arakbell who rattled home over the concluding stages.

It was the third win of the season at start 15 for the Brian Mackrill-trained pacer who won the start prior in Devonport when well supported.

Hillier again gave his peers a standing start lesson when he got the Conor Crook trained Gone And Forgotten to fly away and lead from outside of the front-row in the Ladbrokes North West Plate Heat Two.

The Well Said mare landed the best part of 15 metres in front in the early stages before Hillier went for home at the 450-metre mark to score by 23.5 metres in the quickest mile rate of the two heats in 2m 5.0s.

The $12,000 North West Plate Final will be held on Tuesday night 28 December in Devonport.

Rattray scored on the John Castles trained La Toison Dor in the Frank Crawford Memorial.

From barrier two on the second-row in the mobile start event, Rattray was able to position the A Rock And Roll Dance mare one-out and two-back before leading up the three wide line over the final 1000 metres, going on to register her second win of the season by 1.5 metres.

Conor Crook remains in contention and is only one win off the lead after scoring in the last race on the Mark Yole-trained Tisu Spirit, however, Crook has a trip booked to go back to see his family (pending any potential border closures) over the Christmas period and will miss the last two meetings of the season almost putting an end to his chances.

The top two drivers on the state premiership gain automatic selection to next seasons Australian Drivers Championship as per Tasracing’s policy.

The State Driver Premiership after the Burnie meeting looks this way;

Early on the card Kabibi followed in the steps of her full brother and duel Inter Dominion winner Beautide by breaking her maiden on the Burnie track.

The Bettors Delight filly led all the way in the mobile start race to score by seven-metres at odds of $1.35.

Hannah Van Dongen now has the Female Drivers Premiership all sown up after scoring on the Ben Yole-trained Heza Rummage in race-five.

Her nearest rival Taylor Ford is two wins behind but is currently serving a suspension till the end of the season.

Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing