Yole claims Tassie record

IN SOME ways you could say last night’s Launceston meeting didn’t go Ben Yole’s way.

With a massive team engaged on the program – 42 to be precise – Yole contested nine of the 11 races on the card an appeared to be set for another evening of domination on what was the last Tasmanian meeting for the season.

After all, in some events his representatives equalled six of the eight and eight of the 10 runners in the field!

Those numbers counted for nothing, however, as Yole’s assembly were still beaten.

But the night wasn’t all doom and gloom, with Yole registering a double – which was the ultimate aim.

Yole headed to the venue with 122 wins for the season…one short of Wayne Rattray’s long standing Tasmanian training record.

Rattray won 123 races in 1988/89, which was a 13-month term.

Last weekend Yole broke Neville Webberley’s mark was established of 118 wins set in 1990/91 – a traditional season.

As such, the two records have become one, thanks to Yole’s 124 victories.

“After winning the first two races of the night I thought we’d come home with a few more, but nothing went the stable’s way,” Yole said.

“Thankfully I was able to get those wins out of the way early, which also took the pressure off for the evening.

“At the beginning of the season I set a goal of getting a century, but the main objective is to train as many winners as I can for my owners.

“As I got closer to the records, it was something I set my mind on and I’m rapt to have reached it.

“It’s been a huge effort from everyone associated with the stable and I have to thank all my owners and those who have helped around the place.”