Duggan closing in on record

TOP Tasmanian harness racing reinsman Ricky Duggan has the chance to register another milestone at the meeting in Hobart on Sunday night.

Duggan is only two wins short of 1500 career wins and is rapidly closing the gap on Barrie Rattray, who holds the Tasmanian record of 1575.

Duggan has five drives on the 10-event card and all are genuine winning chances.

The Paul Hill-trained Shady Lou is probably his best in race two.

Duggan has long been regarded as a class horseman and his record is testament to his ability.

He began his driving career in 1987 with most of his drives prepared by his uncle, Ken Austin, and prominent trainer and harness racing administrator Phillip Young.

Duggan, 47, has won four state drivers’ premierships and he has driven for Tasmania in national representative events six times.

His career took off early when he teamed with prominent breeder-trainer Eric Fleming at Lachlan, in the Derwent Valley.

“Working for Eric [Fleming] gave me some great opportunities because he had some really good horses, such as Shiver Me Timbers, and I learned a lot about the breeding side of the industry,” Duggan said.

Over the years he has been associated with some great horses, including Gold Label and Kotare Kiwi.

But the Eric Jacobsontrained Fleet Express will always remain his favourite.

“Fleet Express might not be the best horse I’ve driven in terms of ability,” Duggan said.

“But he was a fantastic horse to me because, of his 39 career wins. I was aboard 35 times and I’m sure I won’t win 35 races on another horse while I’m driving.”

In recent years Duggan has teamed with prominent owners Jamie Cockshutt and Barry Cooper, who have acquired some of the best pacers to race in the state.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to drive some top horses and in particular many owned by Jamie [Cockshutt] and Barry [Cooper], so I’m hoping that association keeps rolling along,” Duggan said.

Barrie Rattray still drives but makes only cameo appearances these days, while Duggan has averaged about 60 wins a season for the past six years. Based on those figures Duggan could reach the top of the all-time winners’ list by the end of next season if he maintains that average.