Reinsman Rodney Ashwood recorded a milestone win at Sunday night’s harness program in Hobart.
Ashwood drove his 500th winner since the 1988/89 season when Mikispur ($9.50), whom he also trains, won the Fehlbergs Produce Sprint Lane Pace (1609m).
The six-year-old gelding was taken back from a wide front-row draw to race just worse than midfield before running on out four-wide over the final 300m to record a 1.2m win over Debt Till We Part ($7), with the $1.55 favourite, Rollin Mary, a short half-head away third in a mile rate of 2:00.6s.
It was the second win in eight starts this season for the Always B Miki gelding, which is raced by the Tasmanian Trotting Club syndicate.
Longford trainer Todd Rattray was the only trainer on the seven-race card to record a winning double.
Four-year-old gelding Axe And Deez ($10) appreciated a drop in class and a well-judged claiming novice drive by Lachlan Dakin before Todd took the reins to score aboard Post Lazarus ($1.75 fav) later in the night.
Post Lazarus, a gelded son of Lazarus, had been placed in six of his previous eight starts, including a second in the Dandy Patch last year, with Sunday’s effort being his maiden victory.
Another three-year-old to win on the card was Vincent filly Might And Temerity ($5.50), who proved too tough for her rivals in a no more than two-lifetime win event.
The filly is undefeated in three Tasmanian starts since arriving as a maiden from New South Wales.
The fast class race of the night was a 75 to 105 event over 2090m where Tough Shaz ($2.15 fav) led all the way with Mark Yole in the sulky to record the mare’s fifth win of the season at the 10th start for the term.
