Racing
Onlyforaminute arrives on time
A master plan came to fruition in Hobart on Sunday when Onlyforaminute ($3.40) won the $50,000 Kevin Sharkie 2YO Sires Produce.
Trainer Glenn Stevenson had aimed Onlyforaminute at the 1400m Sires following the gelding's win on debut in Devonport back in May. While Stevenson was in Thailand for Sunday's win, his hard-working team delivered the goods with a strong victory over Miss Lyra (3.20) in a race controlled by the two on-speed horses.
Jockey Codi Jordan took bad luck out of the equation from the widest barrier draw (7) to land outside the leader, and race favourite Miss Lyra.
"It was always the intent to be positive, he's a big raw bugger so he got lost in a bit of traffic back in the field last start," Jordan said.
"There wasn't a lot of speed there on paper, so it was good that Erica (Byrne Burke) showed good intent, and we went across with her. My bloke thought it was a bit of a track gallop, so it was good to get him switched on and in front."
Onlyforaminute has now won two of his three career starts, showing great promise ahead of his three-year-old season.
"I don't see why a Guineas (1600m) wouldn't be suitable for him next season and maybe even out to a Derby trip."
The all-female ownership syndicate of Onlyforaminute includes Jordan's mother, Cathy, many of whom were on-hand to celebrate Sunday's feature win.
"Mum's in this horse, so it'll keep her happy, and her birthday was yesterday. Some of these ladies are a bit crazy, so it's good to get the win for them," Jordan said with a laugh.
The Sires Produce win was the first leg of a race-to-race double for Stevenson and Jordan with The Longest Yard ($7.50) bursting the bubble of hot-pot Skin in the Game, who was a $1.30 favourite for the Class 4 (1400m).
Apprentice battle still aliveEarly in the program, a winning double for Lauryn Bingley within the first four races kept the race for the Apprentice Premiership alive with three meetings left in the season.
Rippen Gold ($23) was an upset winner for Bingley and trainer Drew Tyson, leading all the way in the opening event, before Bayside defied a huge market drift ($3.60-$8) to win his first career start on grass in the class 1 (1400m).
It continued the strong run for trainer Barry Campbell and the Star Thoroughbred ownership colours, after they'd landed a double in Devonport the week prior.
With a meeting in Devonport (13 July) and two in Hobart (20 & 27 July) to finish the season, Jackson Radley (47 wins) is four clear of Lauryn Bingley as they both aim to win for their first apprentice title.
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