Melissa Maine’s nine-year-old mare Miss Ruthless broke through for her first Tasmanian victory at The Devonport Harness Racing Club’s meeting on Thursday night.
The former Victorian hasn’t spent too many weekends at home since its first run in the state back in April, 33 visits to the track for eight placings.
Miss Ruthless had no luck on Sunday night in Launceston when disappointed for a run in the home stretch, however, the reward for effort and consistency finally paid off for connections as Gareth Rattray guided her to victory in the Hardings Hotmix Pace over 2297-metres.
The state’s leading reinsman eased Miss Ruthless back from the early speed battle and within the first 200 metres had the $2.70 race favourite in the perfect spot, one out and one back.
Christian Salter had the second elect Alemeria out in front from the outset, as the field approached the bell Rattray made his move out three wide and was quickly trailed up by brother Todd on Tiz A Shaker.
Miss Ruthless sustained its run and claimed the lead at the 200-metre mark, going on to score by just over a metre from Union Force and Bertils Delight.
Ben and Mark Yole backed up from their successful performances in Launceston on Sunday night with Ben training a treble and Mark steering home another winning double.
Mark’s first winner, the Wayne Campbell-prepared Ken Two Stars, upset the short-priced favourite Buster Bruv in the opening race the Roberts Pace.
Mark and Ben then joined forces to race Flash Anatomy (pictured) back into the winner’s circle for the first time since July, coming from an inside second line draw to topple the heavily supported favourite Bobby Joe.
Craig and Hannah Van Dongen celebrated Regal Idea’s liking to the Devonport circuit with victory at odds of $22, making it two wins from its last three starts including two on the trot at the coastal track.
Shakti Bromac has been promising to win a race for Ben Yole since his arrival in Tasmania but hasn’t been able to crack it for a victory, however, that all changed as Robert Walters shot his charge clear over the concluding stages of the Luxbet Pace.
Ben’s third and final win came when Rohan Hillier dictated the terms in front on Lord Jones for an all the way victory.
Trainer-driver Christian Salter rounded out the night lifting Our Triple Asset over the line ahead of the short-priced favourite Triple Aitch Fella.
