High five brings century nearer

HARNESS trainer Ben Yole is racing towards his target of 100 wins for the season with Sunday night’s haul of five winners on the six-race card at Devonport taking his season tally to 95.

“We’re getting close and now that we’re only looking at five more [wins], I’d be surprised if we don’t crack the ton,” Yole said.

“It’s a real family affair with us and when you train five winners on a six-race card, it’s great, but it doesn’t happen unless we are all working together.

“It’s the second time we’ve won five at a meeting, having done it in Launceston last month.”

One of Yole’s Devonport winners who impressed was When the ground shook, who was making her Tasmanian debut in a C1-C2 for 4YO and older mares over the sprint trip of 1930m.

The four-year-old mare made the most of the pole position to lead with Mark Yole in the cart.

When When the ground-shook was pressured turning for home she found another gear and sped clear to score by more than 6m.

The (Shadow Play-Dream Allulike mare was backed to start the $1.50 favourite and at no stage did she look like losing.

Yole bought her as part of a three-horse deal from Queensland trainer Grant Dixon.

“We are always looking for horses and when I spoke to Grant [Dixon] he said he had three who were ready to be moved on,” he said.

“When the ground shook was one, so we paid $5000 for her and I’m sure she will well and truly pay her way.

“On her trackwork the week leading up to her race I couldn’t see her getting beat and that’s how it panned out.

“We also bought Making My Mark, who won first-up for us in Hobart last Friday night.

“The other one is Here The Call, which is yet to race.”

Yole’s other winners at Devonport on Sunday were Comeon Howzat, I’m Full Tilt, Washies Chance and Pushkin.

Yole is the reigning premier trainer in Tasmania, having won his first title last year with 108 winners.

But with 12 meetings remaining he should better that tally this season.

Yole will take a big team to Devonport tonight where he is hoping to edge closer to his 100th winner.

“We’ve got a few good chances and I’m quite keen on the chances of Making My Mark, who has drawn well in gate two in a C2-C3 event (race 5),” he said.

“We don’t have as many going to Hobart on Sunday night and the draws haven’t been kind, but I am reasonably confident about the chances of Black Ops in the C1 (race 2).”