Racing
Tassie fillies show their class
Two-gun Tasmanian three-year-old fillies were far too good for quality opposition in the two all-female features on Hobart Cup Day.
Daytona Diva ($4.40) atoned for an unplaced finish as favourite in the Thousand Guineas last start, racing away with the $125,000 Listed Aviso Tas Insurance Strutt Stakes (2020m).
Partnered by leading apprentice Jabez Johnstone, Daytona Diva raced outside the leader and held off a challenge from race favourite Aurora Rise ($4-$2.40) in the home straight, with the quinella put a big space on Miss Aggravation ($11) in third place.
Early $2 favourite Crack the Shutters was scratched from the race due to a minor leg issue.
"We probably got too far back in that mile race, but she was pretty good through the line. We worked her solid to have her fit for today, and I thought, even though the favourite came out, we would've rolled her too, so she's got a good result," said winning trainer John Blacker.
The victory was the first black-type success for Jabez Johnstone, who ended the day with a winning double for the second Hobart Cup Day in succession.
"It honestly feels amazing. I wouldn't have wanted to be on any other horse," Johnstone said.
The Listed $150,000 Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) in Launceston on 20 February will be the next step for Daytona Diva, as it will be for many of the Strutt Stakes field.
Sanniya leads a Mystic Journey procession
Sanniya gave her older rivals a galloping lesson in the $150,000 Group 3 Kevin Sharkie Mystic Journey Stakes (1200m), leading all the way for a dominant victory.
Jockey Craig Newitt took his time to work across the field from barrier nine, but once he did, it was an easy watch for punters aboard the $1.50 favourite. The winning margin was a soft two lengths on the line, with Alvarinho ($16) second and Silver Dagger ($10) third.
"We were a little unsure how she'd go on this soft ground, but with her action, I was quietly confident she'd get through it. I just kept her out of the ground that had been raced on, and by the time I crossed down, it was more or less game, set, and match," Newitt said.
Rain fell for the first three races on Cup Day, forcing a downgrade of the track from a good 4 to a soft 6, but by the time the Mystic Journey (race 7) was run, the sun was out, and the track was upgraded to a soft 5 subsequent to the race.
Sanniya has now won six of her seven career starts, amassing close to $400,000 in prize money and establishing herself as one of the state's premier gallopers.
"She's a really good filly, and I reckon I said during the week that I'm bringing her here really at her top," said trainer Barry Campbell.
While none of the three-year-old fillies' career victories have come past 1200m, Campbell has no reservations about stepping Sanniya up to the 1400m Vamos Stakes next start.
"She's had three starts at 1200m and won three of them and broken 1.10 twice. She's a second off the track record today on a track that's rain-effected so she's going brilliantly."
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