Westbury-based harness racing trainer Michael Laugher clocked up his 500th win in Launceston on Sunday afternoon, when Zara Tindall ($3 fav) claimed a national rating 64 to 69 event over 2200m.
Driven by Liam Older, the five-year-old daughter of Vincent was quickly kept out of the early speed, and ended up one-out and three-back, before leading up the three-wide line over the final 850m.
Zara Tindall put her head in front 100m out and went on to win by 1.3m from Smokescreen ($12) and Mr Bondi ($10) in a mile rating of 2:00.2s.
“She done a real good job.
“The slow tempo early wasn’t suitable, and he had to get going a bit early, and I was unsure if that would suit her, but it turned out good,” said Laugher post-race.
The well-travelled mare started her racing career on the South Island of New Zealand before she was purchased to race in Western Australia in 2023. She last raced in WA in December 2024, then had a trial at Albion Park in Queensland in May 2025, before venturing to the Dean Braun stable in Victoria.
She is now undefeated in two Tasmanian runs.
“Dean Braun had her for a while, and he decided to get out of the horses, and he sold it with the owners deciding to send her down here, and we couldn’t be happier with what she has done down here so far.”
Laugher, who for the past few seasons has had stables in Tasmania and Victoria, was delighted to reach the 500 milestone.
“It’s been a big team effort to get there,” he said.
Todd Rattray recorded a training and driving double on the card, with Preparation ($2.60) and Star Major ($2.25 fav), in a 2698m Discretionary.
Mother and Son duo Tammy Langley and Dylan Ford also recorded doubles with Stepupndance ($6.50) and Ray Dan ($4.60).
Leading trainer Wayne Yole extended his trainer premiership lead with the win of Andaman Bay ($11), while north-west coast trainers also had good success with Charlie Castles (Bettablack Tiger ($1.85 fav), Steven Davis (Kostuk Leis ($4.60 fav) and Claire MacDonald (Rollwitharty ($9.50), all making the trip back down the Bass Highway with wins.
