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Uncle’s Tip, one of three horses Max Beamish has in his stable, broke through for a deserving win in the 1120m Maiden in Launceston on Wednesday night, downing perennial placegetter Miss Tanzanite with Likeakalix running on for third.
Uncle's Tip ($2.10) has always shown promise; from barrier one, rider Codi Jordan had the favourite third on the fence, and although a run didn't eventuate until well into the straight, once clear, the mare hit the line strongly.
"I didn't think she was going to get out, but that was very tough," the trainer said.
"Ever since I broke her in as a 2YO, I always thought she was something nice."
"She was super tonight; I think she's a lot better ridden with a bum; she takes a little bit of convincing to come back, but she just feels like she's bottled up and ready to hit the line," Jordan said.
Miss Tanzanite ($4.40) was runner-up for the sixth time, while Likeakalix ($4) ran home strongly to finish third.
Formline followers quickly pounced on Unique Eagle ($2.25) in the following race, with that horse having beaten Uncle's Tip three weeks ago.
Unique Eagle, always travelled like a winner, sitting fourth for most of the trip. The daughter of Alpine Eagle x Unique has always impressed her trainer, although getting the 4YO to the races has been quite a task.
"Just before she injured herself and had all these problems, she had trialled here at Launnie, and she won that trial, and since that day, we thought she was worth the wait, and it has been," trainer Bradley Franklin explained.
"The horse actually won painless today; she travelled so nicely in the run, and once I pushed the button, it was pretty painless," jockey Anthony Darmanin said.
"I think there is more improvement to come."
Unique Eagle has now had two starts for two wins. Fighting For Gold ($4.80) ran home well to finish second, with Lispector ($10) third.
Long time coming
It may have taken 42 starts, but finally, seven-year-old mare Miss Pebbles ($6) broke through for her first win, taking out the 1420m Maiden, albeit narrowly.
With David Pires in the saddle for the first time, Miss Pebbles settled in the second half of the field before Pires made his move at the 800m.
Miss Pebbles loomed to challenge around the home turn and, after a stirring battle with first starter Don't Give Up ($4.20), got home by a head to the delight of her connections.
"I've told the owners to go somewhere else where it's cheaper, and they said no we will leave her with you, and to their credit they've got a win tonight, and they will be over the moon," trainer John Blacker said.
"She probably should have won before now but hasn't been able to, and you normally see horses like that win two in a row," he said with a smile.
The runner-up lived right up to his name, and a win shouldn't be far off.
Pires book-ended the program when Street Diva underlined her promise, making it two in a row, jumping from a Maiden win to a 0-62 Hcp (1120m).
From the Jessie Bazan camp, Street Diva ($6) has raced just four times. She had her first two runs in Victoria, and the four-year-old looks to have plenty of upside.
"She's been a little godsend for us since she has come down, obviously two from two and hopefully a bit more to come, she's still learning what it's all about, but she is a lovely little filly," Neil Walsh from the stable said.
Pires gave the mare a perfect ride; the second horse home was Starnote ($4.20), with Ngapali Beach ($8) third.