Kiavino Stride too tough for his rivals

Leading trainer Ben Yole made up for a rare winless weekend when he trained six of the nine harness racing winners in Launceston on Friday night.

One of his most impressive winners came the way of Kiavino Stride, who led all the way to score by 11.8m in a race that driver Nathan Ford made a survival of the fittest.

“Nathan and I had a quick discussion before the race, and we thought that was the best way to beat the favourite, particularly over 2200 metres rather than the mile, so on form, we thought that was the best way to attack the race and it paid off,” said Yole post-race.

Kiavino Stride will be looking for back-to-back wins when he lines up in the last race in Hobart on Sunday night.

“He is more of a leader but he has been terrific from behind of late, so I think he can go back-to-back,” said the trainer.

Three of Ben’s winners were driven by his brother Mark, including Major Generaljujon.

“He has been racing well and had been knocking on the door.

“A few things went his way last night, and he got back into the winner’s circle,” said Ben.

Major Generaljujon is another with a winning chance on Sunday night.

“It’s the same sort of race again, and he has the right draw again to poke through early and come with one run.

“He gets Gareth (Rattray), so he won’t lose anything on the driver’s frontage and will be hard to beat again,” explained the trainer.

Other winners from the Yole stable included Cool Scooter, Gobsmacked, Spot On and Slighshot.

Yole has a significant lead over Emma Stewart on the Tasmanian trainer’s premiership. Ironically Yole is second to her on the Victorian title.

For complete Launceston race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing