A bumper card greets harness racing punters later today at the action-packed Launceston Pacing Club meeting.
Pipers River trainer Kristy Grant will play a major role in the opening two races on the card, commencing with last start winner Mon Poppy Bronte contesting the Cliff Robins Memorial over 1680-metres.
The Sportswriter-Misty Odette two-year-old bay filly was having its third career start in Hobart last week, proving too strong for Joogle after showing good gate and leading all the way.
“I was delighted with her win, she had been working well in the lead-up to her maiden win and to see her finish off the race so well to score by 8.6-metres was very pleasing,” said Kristy.
“Rohan (Hillier) rated her perfectly out in front but tonight having drawn wide in six will more than likely need to go back and find cover, but I will be leaving that to him with his judgement and experience, whatever the result is tonight she will be in the paddock before Scott Morrison is in the Lodge.
Rollon Jack has struck form for the Grant stable, the Four Starzzz Shark-De Bruijn six-year-old gelding won one of its first 46 starts but has turned it all around in its most recent outings, winning in Hobart six weeks ago by a runaway margin of 16-metres and following up with a courageous 1.7-metre win over Adele Said (pictured) in Launceston a fortnight ago.
“We’ve had Rollon Jack for three runs for a very encouraging seventh, they ran fast time and he made some ground in the latter stages and then carried that form into his Hobart win,” said Kristy.
“His second win was over Marc’s (Butler) Adele Said, I stirred him all the way from Launceston to Pipers River, I think it’s safe to say he was relieved the race wasn’t in Hobart, he may have divorced me before our wedding in November.”
Tonight’s ten-event Launceston Pacing Club card, commencing at 16.36, may be seen via the live stream service at tasracing.com.au
Shane Yates