Racing
Birthday double for EBB
Erica Byrne Burke celebrated her birthday with a double, both for trainer Imogen Miller in Hobart on Sunday.
Transom was the first of the winners, and landed some good wagers when she led virtually all the way to win an 1100m maiden, scoring by a little more than a length.
After a good debut fourth in Launceston, Transom was backed from $3.40 into $2.10, she was a shade slow to begin but with the advantage of barrier one, Byrne Burke drove the filly through to lead shortly after the start.
"We went up and got her at the sales in Queensland, she's a progressive horse that's always shown us a bit of ability right from day one. Only a light little filly but we think she's got a bit of a future," Brendan McCoull from the Imogen Miller stable said.
"She missed the kick but thankfully there wasn't much speed, she's a little bit green so I tried to keep her together as much as I could. They put a bit of pressure on me while I was leading but she took it in her stride," Erica Byrne Burke said.
Peak A Boom ($3.40) ran well to finish second after being trapped wide throughout, while I'Ve Been Dreaming ($26) resumed with a solid third.
Byrne Burke later added the ride of the day coming from last and held up at the 400m to win on Blonde Star ($3.70) in the 1600m Class 3 Hcp.
The mare looked to be in a hopeless position around the turn, but Byrne Burke found the right gaps over the last 200m to get up in the last stride from Rubbleonthedouble ($14), who was huge after being trapped wide throughout, with Fiorente De Legend ($26) a close third in a busy finish.
"I was quite worried on the corner, she's a bit difficult to ride, she's always slow away and when you get caught behind some slow ones and try to track into the race, but she really chased them down and felt really good today," Byrne Burke said after the race.
Carr quinellaAfter plenty of incidents pre-race, Siggy Carr came up with the quinella in the 0-62 Hcp (1400m).
The strapper of the winner was injured during the parade, then it was realised two horses had weighed out incorrectly.
Once the race was run, Day Performer ($8.00 – $18) after settling sixth, proved a little too good for her stablemate Van Scotia ($12) with Gingerson ($51) a close third.
"Really nice win for this mare she is as honest as the day is long and I'm really pleased to see Van Scotia run well also," Carr said.
"She has just had a really good preparation, (and I'm) really pleased with how she has been going."
Three in a row for RoxieOdds on favourite Anyways Roxie ($1.50) overcame difficulties to make it three wins on the bounce this campaign taking out the 1100m BM68 from the speedy Etosha ($8) with Zewinna ($17) running on well for third.
Anyways Roxie got a little excited in the gates and had to be backed out and undergo a vet's inspection before being cleared to run.
"That was really tough, a little bit hairy watching her behind the gates," a relieved young trainer Jessie Bazan said.
"She seems to keep stepping up and toughing it out and she's racing well and you've gotta have a crack sometimes to find out so we will see how she pulls up.
I'm really lucky I'm not sure that that many people in their first their first couple of years of training have as many nice horses as we have in the stable, I think we've bought really well."
Bit to think about itKelvin Hamilton is continually surprised by his 8YO Fast Thinker who continues to step up to the mark and is racing in the best form of his career.
In Hobart, Fast Thinker completed a winning hat-trick after twice winning in Launceston in October and he did it bravely, picking himself off the canvas after looking beaten at the 200m in the 1400m BM68.
"I was a bit surprised he was floundering a bit and all of a sudden he got going again," Hamilton said.
"I've changed his training regime around a fair bit, and he's really thrived as you can tell looking at him and it's just agreeing with him."
The win was the third overall and first in Hobart for young apprentice Jabez Johnstone.
Fast Thinker ($15) defeated Freak On A Lead ($5) with Rigoletto ($16) coming from last to fill third.
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