Trainer Rohan Hillier snared a winning treble from just three runners at last week’s Launceston meeting and kept the winning run going with his star pacer Ryley Major (pictured) cruising to his second victory in the space of seven days at Melton on Saturday night.
“He showed good speed, I’ve never really asked him to run the gate like that before but I thought if we crossed them early it would make his job easier at the business end of proceedings,” said Rohan.
“We got away with a cheap middle-half and he had them covered at the top of the stretch, I didn’t ask him to do a lot down the straight but he got home in 27 and the last half in 56 seconds recording a mile-rate of 1:54.6 with plenty left in the tank.
The Art Major-Shez Ryleymak six-year-old has now had the two runs back since suffering a potentially career-ending injury three years ago.
“He pulled up well from his Launceston win on Sunday and he handled his rivals well in Victoria, he will be home on Monday and we will try and find the right race for him as a lead up to the Easter Cup,” said the Beauty Point mentor.
“I see he’s an early equal favourite with Harjeet for the Cup, most of the Tasmania Cup finalists are in the market so it will be a good test for him but if he holds up he will be a top chance.
Hillier has high hopes for another successful night tonight in Devonport.
“We’ve got a first starter in Bring The Flave in the opening race, he’s worked well at home and has gone okay in his trials, Paul (Ashwood) has Tilly Max which won on debut which will be hard to beat but we’ve drawn the pole over 1930-metres so we’re a chance,” said Hillier.
“Dusty Martini won impressively on debut in Launceston on Sunday and although drawn outside the second line in race two the Allen Williams Memorial he will go close and while Dufrense has drawn awkwardly inside the second line in race four the Latrobe Cup I’m confident Samantha Gangell will give him every chance as she is driving very well and developing into a very accomplished driver.”
Tonight’s eight-event Devonport Harness Racing card, commencing at 18.17, may be seen via the live stream service at tasracing.com.au and will be live hosted by Duncan Dornauf.
