AFTER a frustrating start to the meeting, premier trainer Ben Yole left Sunday’s Launceston program a satisfied man.
Taking a massive team to the track – 44 to be precise – Yole’s assault was stemmed by his desire to claim the Tasmanian record for the most training wins.
Requiring four trucks and three floats to make his way from the stable to the venue, Yole was feeling somewhat frustrated when his runners finished second, third and fourth in the opening race and again in the third!
Yole’s representatives were also the last three horses home in the second event.
“It wasn’t exactly the start to the night I was hoping for,” Yole said. “It was frustrating to see that happen, but that’s racing for you.”
Fortune favoured Yole in the three following races, taking his tally for the season to 118 – equalling Neville Webberley’s mark established in 1990/91.
With multiple runners in each race on the balance of the card, Yole was quietly confident of claiming the record outright, but it wasn’t to be.
“I thought I had a few good chances in the remaining races, but it didn’t go our way,” Yole said. “I had seven of the nine runners in the last and again managed second, third, fourth and so on!”
With two meetings remaining this season, Yole will again enter large numbers hoping to not only beat Webberley’s mantle, but also Wayne Rattray’s record.
Rattray’s tally of 123 is unique given it was reached in 1988/89, which was a 13-month term.
“To break it down, I need at least a treble at both meetings to beat Wayne’s record,” Yole said. “It won’t be easy as last night proved, but I’ll be giving it a descent crack.”