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Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes Winner The Spirit of Zero notched his first win since his two-year-old season when victorious in the first leg of Sunday’s Devonport quaddie.
A winner at two of his first three career starts, the son of Needs Further hadn't been triumphant since the black-type victory in February 2023.
Despite indifferent recent form, The Yassy Nishitani-trained four-year-old was sent out an $8.50 chance in Sunday's BM64 (1350m), and was made to earn the win in a four-way go that saw just 0.3 lengths separate the first four horses across the line.
"We've been thinking he could get over a mile but he's so difficult to ride in races over that distance," the winning trainer said.
The win was the second half of a double for rider Codi Jordan who partnered the Mark Evans-trained Red Fox to victory earlier in the day.
"I honestly thought I didn't get there," said Jordan following the win of The Spirit Of Zero.
"It's a credit to Yassy, he's been persistent with this horse and it's just a matter of keeping him in his comfort zone."
Newitt finally goes one betterA frustrating start to the 2024/25 Tasmanian thoroughbred season for champion jockey Craig Newitt finally ended on Sunday.
The run of outs hadn't been lost on Newitt who broke the drought with Gee Gees Moonlite ($2.80 fav) who led throughout to win a 1350m maiden.
"I think that's my first winner this season here, and I've probably run about 13 seconds," said Newitt with a smile.
Newitt's next winner didn't take nearly as long, again leading all the way with Fear The Sting ($14) who showed her rivals a clean pair of heels in a BM60 (1009m).
"I was surprised how quick she is. I reckon of all the horses I've ridden here I think she's probably the quickest," Newitt said after the race.
Fear the Sting sped straight to the front in a race with an abundance of speed on paper, hitting the line three lengths clear of Mr Freeze ($7).
Connections said after the race that Fear the Sting will be targeted at the short sprints, with a BM68 over 1009 on 29 September a logical progression.