Gareth Rattray down but not out

Gareth Rattray's chances of winning an 11th successive Tasmanian driver's premiership are remote given he is 25 off the leader Mark Yole (57) with two thirds of the harness racing season done and dusted.

But it won't stop the talented reinsman from delivering star efforts as was the case last weekend.

Rattray, who spent two months sidelined with a hand injury, produced four sensational drives for as many wins of which three were in Launceston last Friday night and one on the seven-event card in Hobart last Sunday.

Rattray's winners in Launceston were Im Full Tilt in a C2-C3 over 2200 metres for Devonport trainer Paul Ashwood; Parwill in a heat of the Harry Holgate Memorial series and he produced a masterly performance to guide Spot Eight to victory in a low grade race over 1680 metres.

In Hobart he partnered the Christian Salter-trained Iden Amrak to victory in a 3YO and older event over 1609 metres after the gelding was backed in to start the $1.70 favourite.

Yole notched one win at each meeting to maintain his edge over Ricky Duggan who resumed driving in Hobart last Sunday after spending three weeks on the sidelines as a result of a nasty fall in Hobart on April 10.

Duggan saluted at his first drive back by guiding $8.70 chance Swap Me to a convincing win in a 2YO S0weepstakes Prelude over 1609 metres, defeating Solid As A Rock and Williamtell with first starter Usain Jolt a close-up fourth.

Yole is the favourite to win the driver's title given he is the number one stable driver for his brother Ben Yole who is sure to take out the trainer's premiership as he sits on 67 wins to be 44 clear of his nearest rival Todd Rattray.

Peter Staples