Heats three and four of the Bullock Consulting Youngbloods series were decided at the Devonport Pacing Club’s meeting on Monday night. Dylan Ford won both heats at Hobart on the previous night but the series tightened up after the races at Devonport with wins by Justin Howlett on Cemento Rapido and Samantha Freeman on Chirac. Cemento Rapido ($10) led all the way, whilst Chirac ($2.20) went around the field to led for the last two laps to score with a bit in hand.
Dylan Ford still leads the series on 39 points from Justin Howlett and Wade Rattray on 37 points, Samantha Freeman (35 points), Taylor Ford (34 points), Matthew Howlett (31 points), Lyarna Graham (25 points), Duncan Dornauf ans Braden Howlett on 21 points,with Nicholas Brockman on 20 points.
The last two heats of the series will be decided at Mowbray on Sunday night, with full fields in both heats, so the series still looks wide open. The Series was first held in 1986 and was a tie between Richard Housego and Leigh Dornauf. The most successful driver has been Nathan Garwood in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Tammy Mollross won it in 1991, tied with Tamra Fawdry in 1992 and won it outright the following year. Others to win it twice are the brothers James Rattray 2003 and 2004 and Todd in 2009 and 2011. The only previous winner in the series this year is Matthew Howlett who became the youngest winner in 2013 at 16 years and 7 months. The Series has been sponsored since 2001 by Chester Bullock of Bullock Consulting.
Devonport trainer Carol Adams tasted success for the first time when her five year old gelding Badtothebone led all the way in the Maxwell Drilling Pace at Devonport on Monday night. Carol brought Badtothebone from Victoria and it was his first win from 12 attempts in Tasmania. He led all the way to win by six metres and record the fastest time of the night covering the 2297 metres at a 2:02.4 rate.
By Peter Cooley