Tasracing

Kyle Pratten is a well-travelled reinsman.

The 36-year-old has worked and drove winners in every state except for South Australia after ticking Tasmania of his list last night when $41 outsider Denstown scored in the Roberts Rural Supplies Stakes at the Wivenhoe Showgrounds in Burnie.

There was plenty of speed on throughout the race which seen runners out five wide just after the bell with Denstown being able to score a three-metre win in what was a survival of the fittest.

“They was going pretty quick early, it took me nearly a lap to tack on to them, there were plenty of horses going wide over the final lap and my only option was to go five wide on the final turn,” said Kyle Pratten after the win.

“I saw everyone getting a bit antsy and halfway down the back I thought if we had anything left it wouldn’t worry him going wide,” added Pratten.

It was the 28th career win for the former New South Wales-based reinsman who grew up in Newcastle, and he was quick to point out his change of luck on the Burnie track.

“It was good to get a win at Burnie, the last time I drove there I got tipped out,” laughed Pratten after the win.

Pratten’s interest in Harness Racing began at an early age but it was a while before he took a hands-on approach to the industry.

“My father trained when I was young, he gave the game away when I was about nine,” explained Pratten

“I played soccer and travelled to Queensland to play, so I concentrated on that before getting involved with the horses when I was about 25.”

Ray Harkness in Newcastle was the first of many trainers Pratten has worked for with stints with Chris Lang Snr, Ian McMahon, Michael Formosa, Matthew White and more recently Darrel Graham.

Pratten grew a friendship with Tim Yole who was working with the Matthew White stable the same time and after a couple of phone calls, the well-travelled driver decided to take up an opportunity with the Ben Yole.

The win of Denstown was part of a big night for the Ben Yole stable with a training quartet.

Artiflash was driven by Gareth Rattray to victory in race five.

It was an action-packed event with the driver of Hezatoff, Taylor Ford, being dislodged from the sulky after locking wheels with Goggo Gee Gee soon after the start. Hezatoff was quickly captured by the clerk of the course while Taylor Ford quickly jumped to her feet.

Two of Ben’s winners were driven by his brother Mark.

Weerrook Harry found the lead after doing a little bit of work in the first one and a half laps to find the lead, the gelding was able to cling on to a narrow victory over the concluding stages.

The completion of Mark’s double was The Lemondrop Kid who led all the way to bring up a significant milestone for last seasons leading driver.

It was the 500th career win in the sulky for Mark, and although records were not accurately kept before the mid-1980s, it is believed Mark is the 21st Tasmanian to achieve the feat.

Watch Mark Yole bring up his 500th driving win on The Lemondrop Kid: