Mini Trot series a boon for youngsters

The return of the Mini-Trot series has been well received by harness racing industry participants and the general public, evidenced by the interest shown in a series of heats run at the Luxbet Racing Centre in Launceston on Sunday night.

Six youngsters contested the two heats last night and that has been common throughout the series that gives youngsters with an interest in harness racing an opportunity to get the feel of driving in races at the same venue as the professionals.

In Launceston last night Makenna Hillier, daughter of popular trainer-driver Rohan Hillier and his wife Tanya, partnered Edie Bets to victory in both heats despite coming off a handicap mark of 360 metres.

Also competing were Jackson Burke aboard Poppie; Matilda Rawlings with Rocka Fella; Sara Wilkin who drove Snapcracklepop; Brodie Davis who guided Sky Valley and Mitchell Ford replaced Gracie Jones who was unable to compete.

Wayne Yole has taken on the Mini Trotting series as a project and he says sponsors are starting to come on board and he is excited about the Mini Trot heats in Hobart at Luxbet Park on Sunday night where the drivers will compete for the Hobart Cup with up to eight drivers likely to contest the two heats.

Sunday night's meeting at Luxbet Park Hobart will boast the running of the $40,000 Group 3 Tasmania Cup.

Heats of the Mini Trot series will be held at all venues around the state until mid-April.

Peter Staples