The Doug and Shirley Martin race night in Launceston looked to be a brilliant meeting on paper, and the racing certainly delivered with Ryley Major taking out the Danbury Park Cup, while Iden Miss Lucy (pictured) scored in the L.P.C’s premier mare’s race, the Mother Of Pearl.
It was also a weekend of milestones for leading trainer Ben Yole.
The Stars
Ben Yole – reached two milestones last weekend. First, in Burnie on Friday, he became the first Tasmanian trainer in any code to train 300 winners in a season. Then in Launceston on Sunday, he trained his 1,500th career winner as he closes in on Barrie Rattray’s record for a Tasmanian licensee of 1,646.
Ryley Major – how good is this rising 10-year-old going? When commencing this campaign, he recorded his quickest winning mile rate for races between 2000m and 2300m. His Golden Apple placing was exceptional. Then on Sunday, he overcame a 30m handicap when well-driven to win in the Danbury Park Cup.
Iden Miss Lucy – was another that was well-driven to score in the Mother Of Pearl. From barrier seven Mark Yole speared straight to the lead and was too good for her rivals late for her seventh win of the season.
The Brooklyn Brawler – put up a brilliant battle to beat Lynryd Skynyrd in a rating 65 to 74 event on Sunday night. The gelded son of Art Major has won three of six starts this season and was a tough performance after leading up the three-wide line for the final lap.
Feats of the meet
Burnie, 16 December
Ben Yole – six training wins, including his 300th Tasmanian winner for the season,
Mark Yole – driving quartet.
King Island, 17 December
Paul Williams – trained both pacing winners,
Kayleb Williams – drove both pacing winners.
Launceston, 18 December
Rohan Hillier – training and driving double,
Ben Yole – training double, including his 1,500th career training win,
Mark Yole – driving double.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Burnie, 16 December
Oneofthelads 59.60s, Cinocal Jamane 59.84s, Juniper 59.87s, Machs Mareta 60.09s and Jumping Jolt 60.21s.
Launceston, 18 December
Hez Razor Sharp 56.39s, Lip Reader 56.44s, Ryley Major 56.47s, Believe In Forever 56.89s and Kuzma 56.96s.
Tasracing Official Price
Burnie, 16 December
Hits: Spikey Boy $4.00 into $3.10, Oneofthelads $4.20 into $2.90, Smile Lyle $4.00 into $3.10 and Queenofdance $2.60 into $2.15.
Defied The Drift: King Of Cool $9.00 out to $11, Queenofdance $2.60 into $2.15 and Cool Scooter $1.90 to $2.05.
Missed: Keep Playing $9.00 into $4.80, Margarets Clan $8.50 into $5.50, Radar stride $7.00 into $4.80, Stevie Jolt $4.60 into $3.60 and Machs Mareta $6.00 into $4.20.
Launceston, 18 December
Hits: Miss Papenhuyzen $2.30 into $1.65, The Brooklyn Brawler $3.80 into $2.80 and Jackson Neptune $6.00 into $4.60.
Defied The Drift: Debt Till We Part $3.80 out to $4.40, Impulze $8.50 out to $10, Euroking $3.10 out to $3.70, Iden Miss Lucy $10 out to $21 and Beam Me Up Chopper $4.40 out to $6.50.
Missed: Syzate $2.70 into $2.40, Stormy Sanz $3.50 into $2.50, Believe In Forever $10 into $8.50, So Art I $1.50 into $1.35, Urus $10 into $5.00 and Captain Cosmonaut $16 into $9.50.
Week Ahead
Friday: Harness racing in Hobart, with a pre-race trial programmed before race one.
Monday: Two harness races are scheduled at King Island, combined with six thoroughbred races.
Tuesday: Burnie will host a Tuesday night program featuring the $12,000 North West Plate Final.
Wednesday: Nominations for the meeting at Carrick Park on 30/12/22 close at 9:30 am. Nominations for trials at Carrick Park on 29/12/22 also close at noon.