Brady Woods has established a substantial lead in the 6ty° Youngbloods Challenge after Sunday night’s second round of heats in Hobart.
The Fingal reinsman went into the meeting sitting in second place on the points table, four points behind first-round leader Braden Howlett.
After finishing seventh with Sheastandout in Heat three, Woods snapped up the maximum points on offer (16 pts) guiding four-year-old gelding Usain Jolt to victory in Heat four.
The Tony Peterson-trained Village Jolt-Dressed In Black gelding broke a frustrating run of six seconds from nine starts this season, much to the delight of punters who stuck-fast with the classy pacer sending it out the $2.40 favourite.
“It was great to see Usain Jolt back in the winner’s list, it’s been a tough season for him, he’s loomed up a number of times to win but just hasn’t put them away like he did in his two and three-year-old seasons but he hit the line well on Sunday night” said Tony.
“I think he had lost his way a little as the season has gone on but we have just persevered with him after all his overall record is great, he’s won eight races and finished second 10 times including a couple chasing Harjeet so you have to be happy with that in this game.”
Tony is not only recognised as one of the state’s leading trainers but acknowledged as a former champion reinsman so his thoughts on the driving effort of Brady Woods carries enormous weight.
“Brady drove Usain Jolt a treat, he positioned him well in the run on the back of Zhukov Leis, which we discussed looked the main danger, he bided his time to perfection and let the big fella loose and he ran them down in the straight,” said the delighted trainer.
“I’ve been watching Brady drive now for the last 12 months and I like what I see, he drives well and makes sound decisions and handles and presents himself well, on and off the track, if he continues down the same path he will have a good future in the industry,” said Tony.
“Unfortunately Brady is caught in a tricky spot as he had organised to be away on a holiday this week and if he can’t make changes to those arrangements he won’t be available to drive in Launceston on Sunday night in the last round of heats which would be a real shame considering he is currently leading the challenge.”
Youngbloods Points Table Heats 3 & 4
- 41 pts – Brady Woods
- 33 pts – Samantha Gangell
- 30 pts – Hannah Van dongen
- 29 pts – Braden Howlett
- 28 pts – Dylan Ford
- 25 pts Taylor Ford
- 24 pts – Charlie Castles
- 23 pts – Germain Boisrame
- 20 pts – Samantha Freeman
- 7 pts – Wade Rattray
- 5 pts – Matthew Howlett
Shane Yates