Racing
Alvarinho delivers glory in the Goodwood
Classy mare Alvarinho ($6.50) proved too good for a quality field to take out the $50,000 Tony Carrick Goodwood Handicap (1100m) in Hobart on Saturday.
The Imogen Miller-trained six-year-old mare finished second in the race in 2024, and went one better in 2025, defeating race favourite Durazzo ($1.65) by a length, with Tsunami Sam ($4.20) in third.
Partnered by the state's in-form rider Erica Byrne Burke, who had another double on the program, Alvarinho settled midfield with a strong tempo set by outsider Etosha in the lead.
Early in the home straight, Byrne Burke angled her mount for a split between the tiring leaders and drove home near the inside rail to hold off a challenge from Durazzo, who rattled home from the tail of the field.
The win was the seventh of Alvarinho's 25-start career and signals that she'll be a leading player in the state's sprint races during the upcoming Ladbrokes Summer Racing Festival.
"I said to Erica before the race that she seems to be particularly well this prep, so it was good to see her do it on the track," said stable representative Brendon McCoull.
"She probably deserves another good win, and this is a nice race to win for sure. We'll cross our fingers and hope she can win one of the big ones during the carnival."
Alvarinho has black-type placings in the 2024 Newmarket (third), 2024 Vamos Stakes (third), and 2024 Mystic Journey (second).
Despite being beaten at short odds, race favourite Durazzo savaged the line, and appears firmly on track for the Newmarket next start.
Wannbe's Tasbred Bonus
Wannabe Ziggy became the first beneficiary of the recent changes to the Tasbred bonus structure when victorious in the opening event on the program, a 1200m maiden.
As of 31 October 2025, all Tasmanian maiden races will carry a Tasbred bonus for eligible horses, with no age restriction applied. Previously, horses aged five and over were ineligible, and trainer Siggy Carr was delighted that her five-year-old mare was able to deliver a nice payday for connections after five minor placings in her first 12 starts.
"She's been really unlucky throughout her career, and she deserved that today," Carr said.
"This is great, we've got the Tasbred with her, and it's so good for the owners."
The spoils on the seven-race program were shared between seven different trainers, though Patrick Dargan may claim honours after Climbeverymountain ($91) won the third race at bolter's odds with Lizzie Annells in the saddle.
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