06 May 2019 | Shane Yates for Tasracing
I Wanna Rock is finally back in the winner’s circle after a sensational victory in Hobart in Race 2 on Sunday night.
Owner, trainer and driver Sam Rawnsley was rewarded for his hard work and persistence with his former star juvenile (pictured) coming back from a two-year injury lay-off to produce the goods when it mattered in the TAB Park Elwick over 2090 metres.
“I’m rapt he’s been able to come back from such a serious injury and perform the way he has, two years off is a long time, he has an x-ray file at the Longford Vet Clinic as thick as a log,” said Sam.
“We got away well from the second row and was able to find a spot two back in the running line, he travelled beautifully from there and I knew if he could get the run at the right time he had the finishing sprint to worry them.”
Moves came at the bell but Sam resisted the urge to go with them, electing to hold his place.
“There was a chance to come out in front of Miracle Marcus at the bell but I knew they had been running along up front so I decided to bide my time and wait for the effort to take its toll on them,” said Sam.
“I eased out four-wide going to the 400-metre pole and he travelled up sweetly into the home turn, I never really asked him for much in the run to the post as he had the momentum up and had them covered, I loved the way he laid his head down and chased the leader, it was very rewarding to see and feel him so strong.”
Like Friday night the evening’s honours were evenly shared, Christian Salter trained and drove the first winner Burningupthefloor while Shaun Kennedy and Justin Campbell joined forces to salute the judge with Delightful Junie.
Matt Cooper’s well-supported Call Me Hector clocked a mile rate of 1:57.6 to beat a smart field by 6.6 metres with the Todd Rattray and Lachlan Dakin combination putting a smile on punters faces with Izaha strolling home to victory.
Blackbird Power made it back-to-back wins for Gavin Kelly and Ricky Duggan while Yatsenyuk Leis made it five wins from its last six starts for Shelley Barnes and Rohan Hadley.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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