Harness Racing is stronger in Tasmania now than it has been in ages. The prizemoney is good, liquidity in pools is growing which encourages punters to bet and a couple of horses are coming through that are the best I have seen in ages so things are looking promising going forward.
The Horses
Once again, Shez Ryleymak flew the flag with a 2nd in the Group 1 Vicbred final and she just continues to step up year after year. There were some exciting new kids on the block though headed by Gedlee who ran an amazing 2nd to Lanercost in the Australian Derby after galloping at the start, tacking on and running him to a length at the finish. I can still remember the day he made me sit up and take notice that he might be a serious horse as he hadn't done anything too startling prior to this run. He led one day at Launceston and then reeled off a 56.5 last half whilst hard held which was a week prior to the Australian Derby run and ever since then has gone to another level and I can't wait to see him back around Christmas time as he is the most promising horse I have seen in Tassie for ages. It actually looks a bumper crop of 3YOs in Tassie with Udoit doing good things in Victoria late in the season and Saturday Night bursting on the scene winning his only 3 starts by half the length of the straight so will be very interesting to see how they all come back. Cullens Angel is another to make her mark this year winning in 1.54 and making the Breeders Crown final where her chances were killed by the barrier draw but still ran a respectable race. Even a couple of 2YOs impressed with Quastor Centurion winning 8 from 10 and Winewomenandsong winning his only 2 starts late in the season.
The Drivers
Once again it was dominated by Gareth Rattray who just failed to beat the single season record held by his father. As somebody who watches tons of Tasmanian races, it simply amazes me how consistently good Gareth is and like most punters I can be very critical about drivers. Many others should take note of exactly what he does because its obviously not all down to ability, sure his surname may have given him some advantages early on but you only have to speak to him and his knowledge of everything from form to breeding shines through and that is obviously a big part of his success. The new kid on the block though is Nathan Ford who took things to another level this year winning the junior drivers award easily and capping off his year with a couple of wins at Melton on Cullens Angel. Watching him drive early on it was always apparent that horses ran for Nathan but he was still a little raw but now he is simply a very good driver and with the backing of a very strong stable, he might just be nipping at Gareth's heels this year. Should also make mention of the performance of Erin Hollaway in winning the ladies driver award as a junior who managed to run down the talented Nat Emery late in the season.
The Trainers
Philip Ford just went to another level this year and seemed to train at least a double at most meetings late in the season. If he can continue in the same vein of form he is a good chance to crack the century of winners this year. Grant Hodges went through a bit of a lean spell during the season but he really came back with a bang towards the end of the year.
Going forward
Hopefully one of the 3YO horses from last year can step up and make it to the big league as been a while since Tassie had a seriously good horse - we would like to claim Villagem but he was only bred here and came back for a a handful of 2yo races. For me, Gedlee might be the one as he has untapped talent so lets just hope I haven't put the kiss of death on him. Trying to pluck one from left field, I reckon a 2YO filly from last season Codie Karalta might step up this year, she didn't overly flatter last season in winning 2 of 6 but she looks a likely type and is also well bred being a half sister to Villagem and closely related to Cody Maverick.
