There were seven races decided on Friday night in Launceston with training and driving honours shared with a multiple winner no where in sight.
Ben Yole and Rohan Hillier were in action early, sharing success in the Chartley Estate Stakes with the consistent Punchinello.
“We sat without cover early but weren’t forced to work and then when Troy (McDonald) came round us at the 1200-metres on the favourite Good Feeling we had cover right up until the home turn and Puncinello finished off strongly,” said Rohan.
“He’s been consistent without winning out of turn so it was good to see him rewarded with a powerful victory.”
Iden Forest (pictured) ran right up to his last start third to Drillittobits with a runaway 16.9-metre victory after leading all the way over 2200-metres in the Crown Lager Pace for Christopher and Matty Howlett.
The longer the race went the stronger Iden Forest travelled and when Matthew clicked up the four-year-old turning for home he dashed clear for an impressive win.
Beam Me Up Chopper, trained and driven by Kate MacLeod, put punters back on track in race three the Carlton Draught Stakes.
“We got away well from the second row and settled just worse than midfield, I found the back of Alaphilppe which is where I wanted to be,” said Kate.
“Rohan (Hadley) made his move out three-wide at the 800-metre mark and we latched on until the 400-metre pole where I hooked him out four-wide and he was able to round them up comfortably for a soft win.”
Real Diamond made it back-to-back wins for Rod Ashwood when steered to victory by Gareth Rattray in the Lees Orchard Stakes.
“It was a top performance by Real Diamond, he showed good speed to hold the challenges out early and then when Rowley joined him at the 400-metre pole Gareth just sat there quietly and kept some in reserve for the late surge from Courageous Katee,” said Rod.
“That’s his fourth win and his second straight for us in a fortnight, he’s by Western Ideal from Jadah Rose so there may be another win or two in him yet.”
El Jays Monet put punters back on the ropes in the Nichols Sound & Communications Stakeswith a courageous all the way win for Sally Stingel and Ricky Duggan.
The seven-year-old gelding crossed from the four gate heading in to first turn and fought on like a caged lion when the challenges came left right and centre in the home stretch.
Bianca Heenan and Hannah VanDongen kept their successful season rolling with Jeans Mattjesty pulling out three-wide at the bell in the Roberts Equine Supplies Claimer before surging clear in the straight for a 4.5 metre win.
The Todd Rattray trained and driven Kadar turned the tables on Watchmylips to take the prize at double figure odds in the Bevan Lee Butchery Two-Year-Old.
Rattray rated Kadar to perfection on top and although Watchmylips rattled home coming from last into the stretch Kadar had a length up its sleeve on the post.
Watch Beam Me Up Chopper score a powerful victory in the Carlton Draught Stakes over 2200-metres on Friday night in Launceston.
Shane Yates