10 April 2018 | Shane Yates
The Emma Stewart and Chris Alford stage show continued in Hobart on Sunday night with the Victorian duo claiming the $30,000 Sky Racing Tasmanian Derby with their star three-year-old Maraetai.
The Stewart-Alford juggernaut continued its successful raids on the state’s major races with Maraetai ($1.05) scoring a sensational victory by 33.9-metres over fellow Victorian pacer Smart Little Shard for John and Rhys Nicholson.
Maraetai (pictured), by Somebeachsomewhere-Kiwi Rose, was taken back off the gate by Alford at dispatch and allowed to settle at the tail of the field before making a lightning move at the mile marker to assume control.
Alford sat quietly until reaching the 400-metre marker before moving into second gear on the New South Wales Derby Heat winner.
Maraetai responded like top class pacers do and exploded away from his rivals on turning for home, careering away still under a good grip to win in contemptuous fashion.
Maraetai took its imposing record to six wins from nine career starts and prizemoney in excess of $50,000.
The Craig Hayes prepared Semowillrev, driven by Gareth Rattray, was the first Tasmanian trained horse home in third place.
Earlier in the night, Origin Cronk ($2.70 fav) made it back to back victories this campaign, scoring in a three-way photo over Artarma and No Apachmee for Phil Mascall and Samantha Gangell.
Origin Cronk made a successful return to racing after a two-year injury lay-off to score a top win at Devonport in March and there looks to be many more wins to come on its recent efforts.
Enterprising Milly from the Paul Hill yard was backed as if unbeatable on debut in the Blue Bonnet and scored a courageous win after coming from third last at the bell to sit outside the leader at the 600-metre mark.
Ricky Duggan gave the Big Jim-Laagirl a breather before asking the two-year-old filly to respond at the top of the home stretch.
Punters who had jumped out of trees to back the favourite held their breath as Duggan got serious with Enterprising Milly but there was a no need for concern as she answered the call, scoring by over a metre from the gallant Rod Ashwood trained Still Hungover.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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