Reely Nauti makes first heat a one-act affair

Captaintreacherous filly Reely Nauti made a one-act affair of the first heat of the Trainers Encouragement harness racing series in Hobart on Sunday night.

Reely Nauti is the second foal to race out of El Jays Magic, the fastest mare to have raced on Tasmanian tracks. The Paul Hill-trained filly was first-up since her second placing in the Evicus Final behind Iylac Pakaria in late November.

From barrier two, driver Mark Yole took the pacer straight to the early lead, where they were able to get away with soft early sectionals.

Yole barely had to ask the pacer for any extra effort when she raced away from her rivals at the 400m in a 28.5s final quarter, scoring by 19.6m over Sports Illustrator ($3.30 fav) and Botany Bay Warrior ($21), all of whom booked their spot in Sunday week’s $30,000 Final.

Spooky Girl (Safe And Sound), also driven by Yole, won the second heat.

Yole positioned the $7 chance one-out and four-back from a second-row draw before gaining a three-wide cart into the race from the 600m.

Yole moved out five-wide around the final bend, with the daughter of Safe And Sound racing away late to score by 2.9m over Debt Till We Part ($2.25 fav) and Mista Eagle ($11).

Spooky Girl is owned, trained and bred by Danny Malone.

A further two heats of the series are programmed for Launceston on Sunday.

The fast-class race of the night saw Rackemup Tigerpie ($3.30) return to the winner’s list for the first time since March last year.

From a 10m handicap in the 2090m standing start event, driver Nathan Ford was able to settle the pacer in fifth spot before ending up in the one-one at the 1300m.

The eight-year-old gelding put up a great battle with the leader Check In ($2.90 fav) over the concluding stages, with 3.2m between them at the finish. Harjeet ($5.50), being one of two 20m handicapped runners, running on into third spot late, recording the quickest last half of the meeting of 56.65s.