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North West trainer Glenn Stevenson gave notice that the Tasmanian trainers’ premiership is far from over with a winning double in Hobart on Sunday, clawing within four wins of leader John Blacker.
After Tahitian Warrior scored earlier in the day, smart sprinter Turk Warrior ($7) returned to the winner's circle for the first time since winning in Launceston in February last year, beating a smart field in the 1200m Open Hcp.
Ridden for the first time by Craig Newitt, Turk Warrior grabbed the lead in the home straight and withstood a late challenge from Just A Needs ($23). Galenus ($6.50) finished third, while Swoop Dog ran a first-up cracker, coming from last around the turn to finish fourth.
"He's always about the mark. He lost his spot the other day at Devonport, and we were confident but not too bullish that he would win today, and I'm glad he got the job done," Glenn Stevenson said.
"These horses are always carrying weight, and you take on the best; he deserved that."
Racing returns to Stevenson's home track in Devonport next week, where he is sure to be well represented.
Trainers table: John Blacker 59 wins, Glenn Stevenson 55, John Keys 53. Three meetings remain.
Newcomer lands longshot plungeFormer Victorian Tahitian Warrior ($26 – $14) landed some good bets, scoring a narrow victory in the 1600m Maiden. In a tight finish, the recent addition to the Glenn Stevenson stable squeezed through a narrow gap to beat Tideford ($19) and Rafael's Raid ($3).
The race was marred by an incident on the home turn, with Oxy Bolt (Anthony Darmanin) and All About Luna (Hayley McCarthy) losing their riders.
Both were taken to hospital, McCarthy with suspected wrist and collarbone fractures and Darmanin bruised but generally ok.
The fall cost Darmanin the winning ride on outsider Arcucci, who took out the 1390m Class 1 in the following race.
Trained by Yassy Nishitani, Arcucci ($34) tracked the favourite Johnnie Pinch ($2.60) into the race before grabbing the lead in the last 100m.
"We took her winkers off and put the blinkers back on, and that has worked," the trainer explained.
The pick-up ride made it a winning double for jockey Siggy Carr.
"The mare gave me a lovely ride, she was tough to the line, she travelled beautifully," Carr said.
Away to a winning startYouraway ($2.50) will do her future racing in Tasmania after breaking through for her first win in the 1100m Maiden.
Ridden by visiting jockey Fred Kersley, Youraway enjoyed a perfect trail before dashing through along the inside to score from Wednesday's Boss ($13), who ran home well and leader Need To Think ($3.70).
Youraway had raced three times interstate and had been placed on each occasion.
"Her third at Mt.Gambier, the winner has gone on and won, and the second horse has won its last two (including) one in town, so she had good form around her and today she had the run of the race and obviously got all the favours," trainer Lindsey Smith said.
The 3YO filly will now stay in Tasmania and be trained by Imogen Miller.
No retirement just yet for CaptainRising 9YO Captain Morgan showed there is still plenty of zip in his ageing legs with a last-to-first win in the 2100m BM68 and pulled off a long shot market move in the process.
Captain Morgan ($51 – $17) settled in the last few and was still at the tail around the home turn but came with a barn-storming run to overpower the ever-consistent Sushi Express ($5) and Hellot ($4).
Racing third-up from a spell and stretching out to 2100m for the first time this campaign, Captain Morgan took his stake earnings to just on $170,000 with his sixth win at start 74.
"Probably one run short going into this, but he's been in work a long time. I've had a bit of veterinary work done on him, he's had a back, and he's got crook hocks, but he's honest, and he's been a terrific horse to us," trainer Peter Luttrell said after the race.
"We only paid 11 grand for him, so he's paid for himself. He's sound with just a few little niggles here and there, but he will tell me when he's had enough."
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