Last Friday in Burnie, 18-year-old Cody Crossland drove his first Tasmanian winner, and the Victorian will be hoping that he can add to that tally in Hobart on Friday night, where he has a drive in seven of the eight races.
Crossland recently crossed Bass Strait to take up a position with the Ben Yole stable.
“I was looking to learn in a different environment and try and get a few more drives,” Crossland said.
The three-point concession driver is a graduate of the Victorian mini trots program and has had experience with some of the nations best trainers.
“I worked for David Aiken and went up to Sydney with Robbie and KerryAnn Morris for just over a year before going back to Victoria,” explained the driver.
Crossland recorded his 53rd career win on the Ben Yole-trained Lalibela last week.
“It was good to get a winner in another state, and on a unique track like Burnie, it’s certainly the tightest track I have driven on,” said Crossland.
Of his drives on the Hobart card, he rates Modern McDee in race 1 as one of his better chances.
“He will probably be suited getting to a bigger track and shouldn’t be far away on his New South Wales form in what doesn’t look to be a strong race,” the driver said.
He also rated Dapper as another hope in race 2.
Crossland was in the sulky when the gelding caught the eye with a fast finishing third two starts ago.
The pacer had to cover plenty of ground to try and get into the race from well back in the field after a wide draw at his most recent outing last Sunday.
While Cody is at the start of his career, at the other end of the scale, Ricky Duggan is on the edge of another milestone.
Tasmania’s most winningest driver is currently sitting on 1,799 driving wins and has five drives on the card in his quest for 1,800.
The Hobart card commences at 17:35 on TasracingTV and Sky Racing 2.