Trotter rewrites record books on King Island

Yankee Avenue is now a part of Tasmanian harness racing history after winning at King Island on Saturday.

The Ian Johnson-trained and driven 9YO gelding is the first trotter in 59 years to win a harness race in Tasmania.

Tasmania does not cater for trotters but they can participate in pacing races. The last trotting race in Tasmania was won by Lampton at Carrick in 1927. Three year old trotting filly Fathers Wish won twice against the pacers in 1948 before the squaregaiter Elmo Raid recorded her only win at Devonport in 1957.

Others tried to enter the elite list. New South Wales mare Jenny took on the pacers in the 1962 Tasmanian Pacing Championship but was unplaced in both heats. Garron (Geoff Coulter) raced in the mid-seventies in Tasmania but failed to add to the list of winning trotters.

Ratz (Torado Hanover – Wytchita) was foaled in 1988 for Scottsdale breeders Rodney and Denise Boyle. The colt demonstrated a clear preference for trotting and Victorian trainer/driver Ken Tippett guided him to a successful mainland career winning 15 races from 60 starts including the 1992 New South Wales Trotters Derby. Ratz raced in Victoria’s best open class trotting races. He was sent home for a spell in May 1994 and time trialled in 2:02 at Launceston to set a Tasmanian trotters record before wintering on the lush pastures around Scottsdale.

Johnson credits his former father-in-law, Victorian Don Smith, as the one who introduced him to trotters.

“Don was a master trainer of trotters and I was lucky enough to jog Melpark Maid twice. She was a classy mare and her wins included the 1993 3YO Trotters Sires Final,” Johnson said.

Around the same time another Victorian trotting trainer, Don Rudd, started to visit King Island enjoying the island racing season (December and January) and regular trail rides with Johnson, who resides at Grassy.

In August 2015, Rudd contacted Johnson and recommended the rising 8YO trotter Yankee Avenue as a horse that may be suited to King Island racing. At that time his record was five wins and two minor placings from 39 starts and with a T2 assessment he was able to compete as a C0/R0 against the pacers.

“It was a bit of a longshot as none of the locals can recall a trotter on the island and our first race meeting was two centuries ago in 1894,” said Johnson. “However, as Yankee Avenue was free (no cost), and I loved trotters he arrived on the island within two weeks.”

Last season Yankee Avenue raced at each of the seven meetings but proved to be hit and miss from the standing starts. He was placed second the three times he trotted throughout but the closest he got at the other four, after galloping early, was 40 metres behind the winner.

The first meeting for this season was on Saturday (3 December 2016) at the 1570 metres Currie racetrack and Yankee Avenue was on his best behaviour and annihilated the other four starters to win by 49 metres.

“I’ve done a lot of work on his barrier manners and he utilised his speed to put a space in them early. After that it was pretty straightforward. Just let him run as he can break if restrained and the sit sprint caper is not for him,” Johnson explained.

Yankee Avenue progresses to the R1 and better race for the remainder of the King Island season. “It will be a new ball game but he is a real racehorse. Yankee Avenue responds to good hands and I am enjoying the challenge,” added Johnson.

Sixty one year old Johnson is typical of many locals with a strong work ethic and prepared to try almost anything. Johnson also has a thoroughbred trainer’s license and trains Carbon Storm that finished fifth in a 1200 metre maiden on Saturday.

Johnson no longer has the trail ride business but has branched out into other ventures at Grassy including tourist accommodation, off the beaten track tours and the award winning Wild Harvest restaurant.

The next King Island meeting is on Saturday 17 December with the usual mixture of five thoroughbred and two harness events. The other dates are Boxing Day, New Years Day, January 14, 21 and 28.

Follow the link https://tasracing.com.au/replays/03122016-thoroughbreds-king-island/#race-2 to watch Yankee Avenue win at King Island on 3 December 2016. 

Harness Racing Victoria

• Race programme for King Island, Sunday 01 January 2017