Rattray back after seven weeks on the sidelines

Tasmania's reigning premier reinsman Gareth Rattray returned to the harness racing sulky last weekend after a lengthy absence.

Rattray suffered damage to a finger on his left hand in a freak accident when he was leaving the Carrick races in late January.

Rattray drove in Devonport last Sunday night and at the Hobart meeting last night and while he ended the two-meetings without a win it is only a matter of time before he is back in the winner's circle.

His best result was a second aboard Bones Jones in the last race on the card at Devonport on Sunday night and he snared a third placing with Last Guy Standing in Hobart and both of his placegetters were prepared by his life partner Melissa Maine.

Rattray has won the last 10 driver premierships but if he is to make it 11 straight then he will need to produce a miraculous turnaround as he has 14 wins to his credit so far this season while Mark Yole has made the most of his absence rocketing to the lead with 41 wins.

Yole is three clear of Ricky Duggan with Tod Rattray next best with 24.

Yole's other advantage is that his brother Ben is the state's leading trainer by a long way with 53 winners to be 31 wins clear of disqualified trainer Nathan Ford with Todd Rattray next on 17.

Most of Yole's wins have come from his brother's stable.

Peter Staples