Racing
Midnight arrives in the nick of time
Sh'bourne Midnight arrives on the winning post.
The only horse trainer Shaun Nichols has in his stable continues to take him on a brilliant ride, with Sh'Bourne Midnight ($3.10) victorious in a BM76 (1390m) in Hobart on Sunday.
The six-year-old gelding is a genuine "line finder", demonstrating a strong will to win by overcoming what seemed like an impossible position at the 200m mark to hit the front right on the line, defeating the heavily supported leader, Fast Thinker ($13-$6.50).
It was a very busy finish, with less than a length separating the first five across the line, and the win now pushes Sh'bourne Midnight's record to seven wins from 15 starts, along with seven minor placings.
Having essentially won his way into open company, Shaun Nichols is now looking at the feature race calendar for suitable targets.
"We're considering the Devonport Cup, but he was a grade four roarer, so I'll need to talk to some of the senior trainers about running home on the track with that kickback," Nichols said.
"But there's a bit of a dream there, he's had a trial there previously and he coped."
The win was the second half of a double for Anthony Darmanin, who scored earlier in the program aboard the Stuart Gandy-trained debutant Sh'bourne Angel ($2.80).
It was a good weekend for the winner of the last two Tasmanian Jockey Premierships, with Darmanin also landing a winning double in Launceston on Friday night.
Blacker pulls the right rein
Trainer John Blacker's decision to scratch Daytona Diva from Friday night's 3YO Cup was vindicated when the progressive filly made light work of a class 1 (1200m) in Hobart.
Daytona Diva has now won two out of her three starts, and punters were on the money on Sunday, supporting her from $2.35 to start as an odds-on $1.90 favourite.
She was well ridden by apprentice Jabez Johnstone, who followed up a Friday night double with another one in Hobart.
"We thought we'd probably run fourth or fifth in a strong field in the 3YO Cup, so we elected to come here," Blacker said.
"She can gallop this horse. I think we'll head to the 1400m race (3YO Trophy) now and potentially the Guineas.
"If we keep riding her quietly, she's got a good turn of foot."
Blaker shared training honours with Stuart Gandy, each preparing two winners. Blacker opened the card with Alpine Cowgirl ($2.05) winning a maiden (1600m), while Gandy rounded out the day with Alpine Thunder ($4.60) taking out a BM60 (1000m) in addition to his earlier win with Sh'bourne Angel.
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