20 March 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
The Tasmania Cup wasn’t the only piece of silverware trainer Emma Stewart collected in Hobart on Saturday night.
She also claimed another three races on the card, including the state’s premier mares race, the Cavalor Equicare George Johnson with Major Grace.
Sent out as the $1.20 favourite, driver Mark Pitt used the pole draw to full advantage to lead and had the race run on his own terms to score by 5.1m over Miss Papenhuyzen.
They were 49m clear of their remaining rivals.
“It was the main thing to have the main danger outside us, and she proved she is a classy filly.
“I think she can get to the mares free-for-alls, I’m not sure how competitive she will be, but she is heading in the right direction.
“Lets hope she keeps improving a little bit so she can make it to that grade,” said Pitt post-race.
Stewart and Pitt also claimed the Tasmanian Labor Eric Reece Memorial with The Only Decision, while Stewart also trained the last race winner Anotherbigman, who was surperbly driven by his owner Russell Maisner.
Roy home in Sinbad Bay
Leigh Rand walked away from the harness racing game in the late ’80s before returning to the training ranks in the 19/20 season, and on Saturday, he prepared another feature since returning, with Gethomeroy in the More Consulting Sinbad Bay.
Rohan Hillier had the pacer one-out and three-back and was last at the 400m before being called upon out wide on the track in the home straight to get home in the final few strides.
“He has done a super job.
“He has always had the ability this horse, he just needed to put it together and this was a good night to do it,” said Hillier after the win.
Jones’ clan land Jane Ellen
Malcom Jones and his father Mark teamed up for their biggest win when Lincoln Royal mare Biglittlesis stormed down the outside and claimed the Smithawards Jane Ellen.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better run.
“We had a soft run on the fence and got onto the back of two pretty handy horses (at the 1300m), Malcom said post-race.
Malcom was able to latch on the back of Charmedforareason out three-wide at the 600m before being let down at the top of the home straight.
“She deserved this sort of race as she had been racing well,” added the winning driver.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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