Upset wins at Hobart

Eight-year-old mare Lockaway Kacie bounced back to her best form when the daughter of Metropolitan led all the way at harness racing’s Hobart track on Sunday night.

Trainer-driver Paul Williams launched the mare to the lead from outside of the front-row in the rating 60 to 74 event where she proved too good for her rivals by 1.4 metres.

“No it wasn’t the plan to go forward. She felt real good behind the mobile, so I thought I would give it a go and see what happens,” said trainer-driver Paul Williams about the win.

Lockaway Kacie produced some below-par performances in late April and early May, but the trainer has rectified the issue that has seen her finish in the top two placings in three of her last six starts and was sent out as a $31 chance.

“We had an old magnetic pulse machine that broke down and she just wasn’t herself without it, we bought a new one and we have been putting that on her most nights, and you can see the difference in her straight away,” explained the trainer.

The consistent mare has won nine races in an 82-start career that has seen her register 32 minor placings.

“We have been thinking that this season will pull her up, it is all up to how she performs.

“I don’t know what she will be like as a mother as she can be crabby at times,” said Williams.

The mare has been thereabouts with the best in the state, including a fourth placing in Launceston a year ago when finishing just behind Call Me Hector, Ryley Major and Illegal Immigrant.

Lockaway Kacie wasn’t the only long price winner on the Hobart card, with the Ray Pullen-trained Albayzin saluting the judge first at odds of $26.

It was almost a carbon copy of Lockaway Kacie’s win, with Albayzin’s driver Hannah Van Dongen keen to find the lead from a wide draw in a slick 27.7s first quarter before slamming the breaks on during a ridiculously slow 34.2s second quarter.

The gelded son of Big Jim was too strong late to score by a neck over Hez Razor Sharp.