TROY HILLIER’S decision to return to race driving about a year ago is starting to pay dividends.
In Launceston last Sunday night Hillier snared four winners from as many drives and for different trainers.
It wasn’t a record but it was a masterful feat all the same and one that didn’t go unnoticed by the scribes.
Hillier, twin brother of prominent trainer-driver Rohan Hillier, shared his success with four different trainers.
He partnered Hitthefront to victory for Heath Szczypka and followed up with a heady drive aboard Seymourjasper to secure victory in a C1 over 2200 metres.
His third win of the night came courtesy of Maybe Doc winning the free-for-all at his first try at open class and Hillier capped a stellar night at the office by guiding Guvnor to victory in a C2.
Hillier has been much sought after with trainers seeking his services not only for his novice driver claim but because he is being recognised as a very talented reinsman.
He has developed an affinity with Maybe Doc with this latest win his fourth win aboard the gelding from his past five starts, much to the delight of the horse’s trainer Robert Gillie who also is a novice trainer.
Gillie is 68 but he has only held a trainer’s licence for just under three years.
Maybe Doc enjoyed a good run behind the leader Dodgermemate but when Hillier eased his charge off the fence to challenge Maybe Doc quickly strolled to the front and then staved off determined challenges from eventual minor placegetters Waiona and Greysteel.
Seymourjasper also impressed by coming from well back in the field at the bell to stroll to an comfortable win, making is d win in successive wins, following on from his victory in Hobart last Sunday week.
Guvnor was having his first start in Tasmania for top trainer Tony Petersen and it was impressive.
While it was Guvnor’s first win in over two years it was impressive all the same, coming from last to overhaul his rivals over the concluding stages.
Guvnor was backed across the nation to start the odds-on favourite and left no doubt there are more wins in store for this gelding in the coming months in Tasmania