Kaycee hands Yole victory
LEADING Tasmanian harness racing trainer Ben Yole had a lean weekend by his standards snaring only two winners from the Devonport and Hobart meetings.
He prepared Ready To Fire to win the first heat of the Youngbloods Challenge series in Devonport by claiming novice driver Brady Woods aboard but the most pleasing win came from his former Victorian mare Kaycee in Hobart on Sunday night.
Kaycee led throughout to take out the Cascade Draught Pace over 1609m after fending off some serious challenges in the home straight.
“This mare came from Victoria and had been retired but the owners decided to give her another try and sent her to me and she’s been a good moneyspinner for them,” Yole said.
“She has shown a bit of ability because she’s delivered in some strong races ... she has definitely got limited ability but she is good because she tries so hard every time she races.
“She’s been crying out for a non-winner’s race but we haven’t had one and when this mare’s race came up we jumped at it and when she drew near the inside of the front (Gate 2) I thought it was her race and she didn’t let us down.”
Yole has about 45 horses in work and he is determined to continue with his policy of turning the stock over, which has been quite beneficial to his business in the past three years.
“The policy has worked for us so I guess it is my secret to running a successful business, especially in this game,” Yole said.
“We are always on the lookout for more horses but with that comes a need to find new owners, which is what keeps this industry afloat, so we are also on the hunt for new owners.”
Yole’s double last weekend took his season tally to 90, so with three months remaining he is well on target to top his record 124 winners last season.
The stake increases this season are noticeable in that two seasons back (2015-16) when Yole trained 107 winners and 246 minor placegetters to win his first trainer’s premiership the horses amassed $603,622 in stakes but this season his 90 winners and 246 minor placegetters have earned $662,282.