The more generous concessions available to junior drivers interstate could lure one of Tasmania’s most promising young reinsmen to Victoria.
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Jack Laugher, 18, is dividing his time between the two states at present but will eventually have to decide where he wishes to pursue his harness racing career.
Laugher was Tasmania’s leading junior driver last season with 31 wins and has a career tally approaching 40 – but there lies the problem.
As soon as he gets to 50 wins, Laugher will lose his junior driver concession in his home state and opportunities will become harder to obtain.
Most apprentice jockeys experience similar difficulties when they out-ride their claim.
However, in Victoria, Laugher can drive 50 winners every season for five years before losing his concession – a big incentive to consider a move.
Laugher’s father, Westbury trainer Michael Laugher, said his son was “still working out what he wants to do.
“But if he wants to make the most of his claim he will have to move.”
Jack has been “testing the waters” in Victoria for the past six weeks while his father campaigns a small team of horses around the provincial circuit.
“It’s giving him a few drives and he’s getting a couple from other trainers as well,” Michael Laugher said.
“We’ve won races with Metro Mouse and Buriton Bailey and we’ll have a few more runners this week.
“Metro Mouse is in at Geelong on Wednesday night and Put Mback and Pagliacci at Bendigo on Thursday.
“I won’t be staying (in Victoria) much longer because I’ve got two-year-olds to bring into work back home.”
Jack Laugher has been flying home on Sundays but has had only 13 local drives this season for three wins.
COUNT WAITS FOR MOE CUP START
Tasmania’s top stayer Count Da Vinci is set to run in the $150,000 Moe Cup (2050m) on Thursday.
The Scott Brunton-trained gelding was scratched from Sunday’s $300,000 Cranbourne Cup.
Owner Wayne Notman said Count Da Vinci had lost a little weight travelling and would benefit from a few extra days.
Mr Notman said the strength of the Cranbourne Cup field was another factor taken into consideration.
The race was won by impressive English stayer Folkswood.
Tasmania’s other spring campaigner Settler’s Stone will run in the $120,000 Benchmark 84 Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield on Wednesday.
Damien Oliver has taken the ride on the Troy Blacker-trained gelding who opened at $10 in the Sportsbet market.
Settler’s Stone ran third at Mornington last start after taking up the unfamiliar role of pacemaker.