Jacob Duggan continued a strong family tradition at Sunday night’s Hobart meeting when he trained his first winner after Rock The Tableau ($5.00) saluted in the More Confidence Consulting Pace (2090m).
Duggan also took the drive, and he had the four-year-old gelded son of Rock N Roll Heaven positioned four-back the pylons from the pole draw before working into clear racing room wider on the track around the home turn.
The driver timed his run perfectly to record a neck victory over Sapphire Gambler ($9) and Sneaky Peak ($2.70 fav) in a mile rate of 2:02.7s.
“I was really relieved to get the first win out of the way, but also so much thrill and joy, especially having such a great bunch of owners.
“I was confident heading into the race and would have been more confident if I held leaders back instead of three-back on the fence,” said Duggan.
Jacob is the son of trainer-driver Adrian Duggan, and he was always destined to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“Dad went down the training path, and I have always wanted to follow in his footsteps, and everything is heading that way,” Jacob said.
“I will only train a couple of horses at this stage while I’m still driving just to get me ticking along to start with and get my name out there, and hopefully, a few other horses come along the way.”
Duggan spends his time dabbling between both equine codes. His usual work day sees him start with thoroughbred trainer Siggy Carr at 6:00 until about lunchtime when Duggan heads home to work his horse.
He then helps his father, Adrian, with his team of harness and thoroughbred horses until around 14:00, when he has a quick break before getting back out at 16:00 to feed the horses.
The win of Rock The Tableau was the first leg of a driving double for Jacob, who later on the night was aboard Lynryd Skynrd ($2.60 fav).
