Harness racing makes its long-awaited return to the north-west coast on Friday night, with an eight-race card in Burnie.
The weekend will conclude with another 10-race card in Hobart.
Hobart was the sole meeting in the state last Sunday, which was a mixed night of results for punters.
This Saturday night at Melton, there is a host of feature races, where Tasmanian-owned and bred Dukes Choice is an emergency for the Victorian Derby.
In sad news, former Harness Racing Tasmania Chairman Greg House passed away on Sunday.
House also raced many horses with great success, including being the owner of 89/90 Tasmanian Championship winner Karalta Bay, and multiple Inter Dominion heat winner Karalta Gift.
The Stars
Whey Better – an in-form mare from the Mark Geeves stable who won her fifth race of the season with a tough effort on Sunday night. The daughter of Betterthancheddar is now closing in on $100,000 in stakes earnings.
Halis Boy – the Greg Scott stable supporters were cheering loudly when this pacer won at odds of upwards of $150 on the local tote. It was the first win at start 20 for the four-year-old gelding, with connections also collecting their first win Tasbred bonus.
Villacci – has been a good find for the Yole stable, and he won his fourth race in five starts since arriving in the state on Sunday. He continues to be on track for the upcoming features.
Sanz double – Trainer Kent Rattray and reinsman John Walters teamed up for a double on the Hobart card with Thunder Sanz and Stormy Sanz, who are half-brothers out of Soho Summer.
Feats of the meet
Hobart, 8 October
Ben Yole – three training wins,
Kent Rattray – two training wins,
John Walters – two driving wins,
Mark Yole – two driving wins.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Hobart, 8 October
Villacci 57.19s, Check In 57.41s, Cool Water Paddy 57.71s, Stepping Stones 57.73s and We Salute You 57.78s.
Tasracing Official Price
Hobart, 8 October
Hit’s: Iden Black Prince $6.00 into $5.00, Halis Boy $101 into $61, Whey Better $9.50 into $3.20, Spooky Girl $2.70 into $2.40 and Villacci $3.00 into $2.40.
Defied The Drift: Thunder Sanz $8.00 out to $14, Magic Joe $2.10 out to $3.00, Stormy Sanz $6.50 out to $7.50, Young Rooster $6.00 out to $8.50 and Rocks Roy $5.00 out to $6.00.
Missed: Smooth Machete $1.30 out to $1.12, Lorimertyrrell $4.20 into $3.70, Nancys Hope $2.70 into $2.40, Messerati $6.00 into $3.50, Sports Illustrator $10 into $5.50 and Looby Lombo $4.40 into $3.40.
Week Ahead
Friday: Harness racing returns to the state’s north-west coast for the first time since March in Burnie from 17:22. The meeting will see races one and two, shown on Sky Racing 1, with the remainder on Sky Racing 2. All races will be on TasracingTV.
Saturday: Interstate runners at metropolitan venues include:
Melton:
R3 #5 Max Delight and 6 Kosimo,
R6 Vic Derby # 2 Dukes Choice (emg),
Sunday: Harness racing in Hobart with 10 races scheduled to commence at 17:07. At the time of writing, the first two races will be shown on Sky Racing 2, with the remainder of the meeting on Sky Racing 1. All races will be shown on TasracingTV.
