Tasmanian Harness Highlights – 17 March

Australia’s richest harness racing pacing standing start event, the $150,000 Group 1 Tasmania Cup, takes centre stage this Saturday night (Mar. 18) in Hobart.

The final field has been determined by two heats over the past two weeks, including in Hobart last Friday, where race favourite Wheres The Gold (Somebeachsomewhere) claimed victory.

Also, last week the Carrick Cup was held with We Salute You leading home a training quinella for Ben Yole.

The meeting was followed by a successful Tasmanian Harness Yearling Sale where a Lather Up gelding out of Huiffier, offered by Melissa Maine, topped the sales with Don Hassell and Scott Jackman purchasing him for $44,000.

The Stars

Wheres The Gold – led all the way to score in the second heat of the Tasmania Cup, driver Allan McDonough wasn’t getting a speeding ticket during the first two-thirds of the race before zipping home in a 56.9s last half-mile.

We Salute You (Well Said) – led all the way to take out the Carrick Cup on Sunday afternoon for the Ben Yole – Dylan Ford combination. It was the 24th career win for the Well Said gelding, who will contest Saturday night’s L.H.T Cup Final.

Jack Watson – drove his first winner in the sulky on a horse he owns, Shaun To The Max, on Friday night in Hobart. The 24-year-old is the son of Juanita McKenzie.

Miss Papenhuyzen – is the best local hope for Saturday night’s George Johnson in Hobart, and she takes winning form into the race, with her win at Carrick Park on Sunday taking 1.0s off the 2150m track record.

Mark Yole – chalked up his 700th driving win in the sulky when John Richard took out the final race on the Hobart card on Sunday night. Yole currently leads the state drivers’ premiership with 25 wins for 2023.

Feats of the meet

Hobart, 10 March
Ben Yole – training treble,
Tiarna Ford – driving double,
Allan McDonough – driving double,
Mark Yole – driving double.

Carrick Park, 12 March
Ben Yole – training training treble,
Rohan Hillier – driving double,
Brodie Davis – driving double,
Dylan Ford – driving double.

Calculated Sectional Standouts

Hobart, 17 March
Be Major Threat 53.23s Young Rooster 56.43s, Wayonbye 56.63s, Stravinsky 56.73s and Where’s The Gold 56.90s.

Carrick Park, 19 Mach
Lynryd Skynyrd 55.96s, Kuyomi 56.04s, Buster William 56.07s, Major Lester 56.31s and No Nukes Skipper 56.45.

Tasracing Official Price

Hobart, 10 March
Hits: Wayonbye $6.00 into $4.80, Shaun To The Max $10 into $6.50, Nova Baxter $6.50 into $4.40, Wheres The Gold $1.22 into $1.14 and John Richard $5.00 into $4.80.
Defied The Drift: Slingshot $4.60 to $7.00 and Beast Mode $6.00 out to $8.00.
Missed: Turquoise Stride $5.00 into $2.80, The Democrat $21 into $10, Windy Hanover $2.90 into $2.25 and Boom $10 into $7.00.

Carrick Park, 12 March
Hits: Stevie Jolt $4.20 into $2.50, Iam The Real Thing $7.00 into $6.00 and Miss Papenhuyzen $1.65 into $1.35.
Defied The Drift: Gypsy Amour $1.60 out to $1.85, Lalibela $7.00 out to $8.00, Lou Lous All Gold $3.10 out to $6.50, We Salute You $4.00 out to $4.60 and Maybee $2.45 out to $2.80.
Missed: Lafond $12 into $7.50, Hes Apples $3.10 into $2.60, Czarina $4.40 into $3.50, Buster William $7.00 into $3.90 and Bold Centurian $4.40 into $3.60.

Week Ahead

Saturday: The state’s premier race night will be held in Hobart.

As mentioned, the Tasmania Cup and plenty of other feature races are the highlights, including the George Johnson, Jane Ellen, Sinbad Bay, L.H.T Cup and the Eric Reece.

Jacob Bevis will host TasracingTV, with Duncan Dornauf hosting Sky Racing Active.

At the time of writing, Sky Racing 2 will telecast the first two races, with the last eight to be shown on Sky Racing 1.

The first race is set down for 18:25.

Some pacers with Tasmanian interest on Saturday interstate include; Fynn Frost, Kosimo and Montana Storm at Melton, while Timely Sovereign and Bridwood Bella will line up at Menangle.

Sunday: The Tier Two meeting of the weekend will be held in Launceston with eight races from 18:05.

Former Tasmanian pacer Lip Reader will line up in the Charlton Cup in country Victoria, and it will be his first start under the care of Conor Crook.

Monday: Trials are scheduled for Carrick Park from 17:30. It will be the last Monday trial session before Carrick Park trials revert back to Saturday mornings over the colder months.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing