09 September 2024 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Ace reinsman Ricky Duggan claimed his fifth Fehlbergs Produce Sweepstakes Fillies Final (1609m) when The Bride ($2.15 fav) scored a dominant victory in the $30,500 event in Hobart on Sunday.
From barrier two on the second row Duggan pushed forward to drop in behind the leader, Smooth Reason, before utilising the spring lane to sprint home best to defeat Smooth Reason ($3) by 3.2m with Isla Athena ($21) a further seven meters away third.
The time was 1:57.4s (new race record), which was just 0.4s outside the age record set by Beach Diamond earlier this year.
“She is a nice filly, but what helps is that she has a good bit of dash,” said Duggan.
“Today was a bit different for her sitting in behind the leader, but I was happy when I lobbed there. It worked out better than I thought it would early.
“Rodney (Ashwood) has done a super job with her. Getting her going when she was young and the trials she has had, and she has always shown something,” the driver added.
The Poster Boy filly is bred by Jamie Cockshutt and Barry Cooper, who race the pacer along with Paul Kurowski.
The win was the first leg of a training double for Rodney Ashwood, who also prepared Stranded Lollipop ($1.40 fav) later in the day.
Snowie revs in Colts and Geldings Final
Stay Hungry gelding Snowiewillrev ($1.40 fav) remains undefeated after four starts when claiming his biggest win, the Fehlbergs Produce Colts and Geldings Sweepstakes Final (1609m).
From a second-row draw, driver, Gareth Rattray had the Craig Hayes-trained pacer positioned midfield before whipping around the field in the middle stages to race outside the leader from the 1100m.
Trainer Craig Hayes said that watching the race, he knew his pacer would have to have been at his best to win.
“I knew he would have to dig in as the horse in front (Stone Writer) is a smart horse, and he was travelling alright, and I knew he would have to be at his best to beat him.
“It was a top performance, he got a bit of a check there early and had to get around to the death, and in conditions like that, it was a top effort,” said Hayes.
Snowiewillrev ran a mile of 1:57.9s (new race record), defeating Stone Writer ($6.50) by 5.1m, with Iden Regal Wave ($26) finishing third.
Hayes had been considering sending the pacer to Victoria for some Vicbred races the horse was eligible for, but he said post-race that he may send the gelding for a spell.
“We have been thinking about that (Vicbred races), but we will see how he pulls up. He will likely go for a break now,” said the trainer.
Crook and Chibnall on the move
Conor Crook and Jordan Chibnall are preparing for a semi-permanent move to Tasmania, with Metropolitan Cup winner (2579m) Magnetic Terror ($4.80) to be a part of that team.
The six-year-old gelding had a lovely run one-out and one-back before sprinting home best to record his first win in 16 starts this season,
“We were lucky to get into a good spot following Kosimo, and I was pretty happy with the turn of foot he showed.
“He will definitely stay (in Tasmania). The country cup circuit looks his go, so hopefully he can be competitive,” said Chibnall.
Fillies and Mares record tumbles
Waterfront ($2.25 fav) broke many records with her 1:54.8s performance in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Pace (1609m).
The time broke the previous three-year-old state-aged (held by Scooterwillrev 1:56.9s) record and the state record for fillies and mares (held by El Jays Magic 1:55.4s) for the sprint trip.
Driver Tiarna Ford drove a confident race on the Emma Stewart-trained daughter of Downbytheseaside.
The win was the first leg of a double for the visiting Victorian trainer, who also had success with Free To Play ($1.16 fav) later on the card.
Top 3YO back
For the past 11 years, the family of the late David Medhurst have been trying to win the Memorial race named in his honour, and that dream came true when David’s sister, Kelly Reggett part owned and bred this year’s winner, Smooth Machete ($1.75 fav).
Smooth Machete was first up from a setback that saw him be a late scratching from the Beautide last month, with Brodie Davis taking the drive in the claiming novice drivers event.
Top day for Ford and Yole
Wayne Yole and Mitch Ford, took training and driving honours at the meeting. The pair combined to win with Lalibela ($21) and Kenya ($10).
Yole also won with the Jack Watson-driven Sharmey ($21), and Ford’s other winner was aboard Free To Play.
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