Harjeet continued his dominance on the Tasmanian harness racing scene with an effortless win in the Group 3 Maxfield Drilling Raider Stakes for the four-year-old Tasbred colts and geldings.
The four-year-old Tasbred mares Final, the Collins Homes Granny Smith, was a more competitive affair with only a short half head separating El Jays Mystery and Resurgent Dream at the end of the 2660-metre event.
The Tasmanian Sires’ Stakes Series continues in Launceston on Friday afternoon when the Launceston Pacing Club stages the heats of the Roberts Equine Supplies Globe Derby for the three-year-old colts and geldings while the three-year-old fillies will contest the prelude of the 6ty Bandbox.
The Tasmanian Pacing Club will stage the tier two meeting of the week on Sunday evening with a seven-race card.
The Stars
Harjeet- once again stole the show with another brilliant display. He started the shortest priced favourite in the history of the $40, 000 Maxfield Drilling Raider Stakes. Where he goes next is the question that is yet to be answered, with all the connections and trainer yet to discuss the future plans but no doubt the four-year-old Vicbred Series will be high on the agenda.
Dick Eaves- trained his 11th Sires’ Stakes winner when the Rohan Hillier-driven El Jays Mystery scored a last stride win in the Group 3 Collins Homes Granny Smith.
Shelley Barnes- continued her terrific form with a training double on Friday night including the Ulverstone Cup with Chief Destroyer.
Troy McDonald- certainly loves chalking up the Frequent Flyer points flying to Tasmania each weekend to drive, he was rewarded with his dedication to the industry with a driving double on Friday.
Multiple Winners
Devonport - Friday
Todd Rattray – driving double; Keep Playing, and Harjeet.
Rohan Hillier – driving double; Overpowering, El Jays Mystery.
Troy McDonald – driving double; Plata O Plomo, Washies Chance.
Shelley Barnes – training double; Chief Destroyer, Mister Magic Man.
Hobart - Sunday
Rohan Hadley – driving double; Cardinal Art and Rocknrollhighlight.
Ben Yole – training double; Rocknrollhighlight and Aunty Rita.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Quickest last halves (800m) from last week’s action in Devonport on Friday.
Harjeet 56.90, Usain Jolt 57.48, Zhukov Leis 57.75, Mon Poppy Polly 58.56 and Sea Double Ugrant 58.64.
And in Hobart on Sunday.
Enterprising Milly 57.28, Spoilt Sport 57.90, Karalta Moondance 58.08, Bettabrown Tiger 58.10 and Alaphilippe 58.11.
View all Tasmanian Sectional data here.
Tasracing Official Price
Devonport
Hit’s: Overpowering $4.60 into $4.00, Plata O Plomo $3.20 into $2.90 and El Jays Mystery $2.80 into $2.60.
Defied The Drift: Witch Master $16 out to $21, Chief Destroyer $12 out to $15, Keep Playibg $5.50 out to $7.00, El Jays Monet $4.80 out to $6.00 and Washies Chance $2.50 out to $2.90.
Missed: Black Centurian $6.00 into $4.00.
Hobart
Hit’s: Cardinal Art $4.80 into $4.40, Rocknrollhighlight $4.20 into $3.90 and Spoilt Sport $2.05 into $1.85.
Defied The Drift: Aunty Rita $12 out to $31.
Missed: Sheer Strength $11 into $6.50 and Penstock Boy $3.10 into $2.60.
Black Booker
Major Callum
This Art Major gelding was having his fourth start since joining the Brooke Hammond stable when he was claimed in Launceston in late January. A lot of Major Callum's recent racing had been in claiming races or in C5 and better company but he was able to drop back into a competitive C3 to C5 event in Hobart last Sunday.
Settling one-out and three-back driver Gareth Rattray eased Major Callum three wide at the 1150-metre mark where he led up that line. The seven-year-old gelding fought on well in the home straight to finish third behind the winner Lockaway Kacie who had the advantage of the Roberts Sprint Lane with the early leader Chasing Cheetahs finishing only a head in front of him.
Watch the replay here.
Trial File
Carrick Park on Saturday
The Scott Woods-trained two-year-old Blossom Grant recorded her second win at the trials at only her second public trial start. Driven by Scott’s son Brady, Blossom Grant was able to lead the six-horse field and was able to win by four metres in a last mile of 2mins 4.7secs in the 1670-metre trial. Blossom Grant is a daughter of Art Major and is out of Chrissy Grant who won over $90,000.
The other two trials were won by Art Frenzy (MR: 2:07.1) and Koolaz Elvis (MR: 2:06.7).
Week Ahead
The action heads to Launceston on Friday afternoon for a seven-event program where the Tasbred three-year-old’s will be the star of the show.
The colts and geldings will contest the heats of the Roberts Equine Supplies Globe Derby. The first heats sees last season’s Dandy Patch winner Feelin Dusty draw outside of the second row in the 2200-metre event. The Paul Hill trained pacer will be driven for the first time by Mark Yole.
Hill also trained exciting American Ideal gelding Streitkid in the last heat of the night which is set down to run at 19:18. Driver Ricky Duggan has a tricky inside of the second row draw to overcome in an even field that includes Dufrense from the Rohan Hillier stable who has won his last three starts.
The action then turns to Hobart on Sunday evening for a competitive seven-race card.
Three runners will be looking for back-to-back wins on the Hobart circuit after winning last Sunday night including Paul Williams-trained and driven Lockaway Kacie contesting race three. The Ben Yole-trained Rohan Hadley-driven Rocknrollhighlight in race five.
While last week’s long shot winner Aunty Rita for Team Yole and the Ray Pullen-trained Gipsy Treasure clashing in race six.
Harness Racing participants are also reminded that one of Australia's leading trainers Lance Justice will be hosting a trotting workshop in Launceston on Sunday from 14:30. More details can be found here.