The record books were dusted off in Launceston on Sunday night, where Allan McDonough and Clayton Tonkin had a successful night at the office on the 10-race card.
Magician claimed the night’s feature race, the Launceston Discretionary, his third Launceston feature in a row, capping off a training double for the Todd Rattray stable.
This week, harness racing will be held in Launceston on Friday before the action shifts south to Hobart on Sunday night.
Also, on Thursday night at Melton, we see the return to the track of Tasmanian-bred pacer Fighter Command. He is the equal $3 favourite with De Goey, for the Beautide in Hobart on 3 August.
The Stars
Allan McDonough – became the fifth driver to win seven or more races at an Australian harness race meeting, winning seven races in Launceston on Sunday night. The record for the most number of wins is held by Mark Pitt, who drove nine wins in Launceston in 2022, while Tasmanian-born driver Jack Laugher also achieved seven winners at Mildura in 2022. Although one of McDonough’s wins was a dead heat, Harness Racing Australia records a win for each participant involved in the dead heat. Allan’s first winner was Billy’s Tiger Khan before teaming up with Clayton Tonkin to record his following six winners.
Clayton Tonkin -became the 22nd trainer in Australia to have won six or more races at a single race meeting. Those who have trained six or more winners on Tasmanian tracks include Tonkin’s partner Emma Stewart on one occasion, Barrie Rattray twice, Wayne Rattray once and Ben Yole on 19 occasions. Tonkin’s winners on Sunday included Waterfront, Balboa Rock, Zahra Lou, Adapt, Renewal (pictured) and Showsomejoy.
Magician – overcame a 20m handicap to score in the Launceston Discretionary and gave Todd Rattray his second win on the program. Magician has also claimed the Launceston Mile and Devonport Quality in four Tasmanian starts this year after returning from a New South Wales preparation.
Kivik became the first horse Rachel Williams has trained to win over $100,000 in prize money when he came with a fast-finishing sprint to record his 13th career win.
All About Sadie – broke her maiden status at her third career start. The four-year-old daughter of Betting Line is owned and bred by father and daughter duo Chester and Julia Bullock. The mare had a different start to life than most racehorses, resulting from an embryo transfer.
Feats of the meet
Launceston 23, June
Allan McDonough – seven driving wins,
Clayton Tonkin – six training wins,
Todd Rattray – two training wins.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Launceston 23, June
Zahra Lou & Showsomejoy both 56.20s, Nancestiger 56.37s, Smooth Machete 56.39s and Balboa Rock 56.50s.
Tasracing Official Price
Launceston 23, June
Hit’s: Billys Tiger Khan $1.16 into $1.10, All About Sadie $19 into $13, Waterfront $1.28 into $1.14, Balboa Rock $1.14 out to $1.55, Kivik $101 into $61, Renewal $1.22 into $1.12 and Showsomejoy $1.28 into $1.07.
Defied The Drift: Smooth Machete $4.20 out to $6.50, Zahra Lou $1.05 out to $1.08, Magician $1.80 out to $2.25 and Adapt $1.16 out to $1.45.
Missed: Not Yet Mum $3.20 into $2.30, Iden Black Prince $21 into $11, Nil Desperanum $18 into $10, Maebee $18 into $10, Wattabout Spangher $71 into $26, Miss Papenhuyzen $11 into $6.00.
Week Ahead
Thursday: At the country front meeting at Melton.
R1 # 1 Fighter Command (Beautide eligible), and # 6 Last Of The Mohicans.
Friday: Eight races in Launceston from 17:25.
Saturday: Trials at Carrick Park from 9:00 am.
Some runners racing interstate with a Tasmanian connection include:
Melton
R1 #8 Kosimo,
R3 #1 Dukes Choice (Beautide eligible),
R4 #11 Spirit Of Pearl.
Sunday: A nine-race card will be held in Hobart.
