In Brief
- Favourite too good in the Derby.
- First local win since 2016.
- Group 3 Vamos next for Lovin' Bev
Spreyton-trained 3yo Likeakalix proved he is a serious racehorse with a narrow but impressive win in the $150,000 Listed Graham Family Funerals Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in Hobart on Friday.
Having his first look at the Hobart track, Likeakalix ($2) was all at sea in the early stages, eventually rider David Pires got him to settle at the 1400m.
There was no speed until John Allen set the Victorian Kicking King ($3.70) alight at the 1200m. Likeakalix was back second last for most of the race but joined in quickly when Pires let him go approaching the home turn.
“They went that slow he wanted to over race onto the heels of Moorlands Miss, I tried to ease him back, he saw the crossing and balked out away from it and to the horses credit it was a big win today coming here for the first time he didn’t really know the track and got a little bit lost everywhere he went but he’s a serious horse and I look forward to seeing what he can do next prep,” Pires said.
“He didn’t settle early. I was a bit concerned, but it all worked out well,” Clinton Gaffney, representing the Leanne Gaffney stable, said.
“It means a lot; we can’t do it without the owners, and they have been a great support. They have stuck with us, and there’s also a couple of people in it that’s their first horse so they couldn’t ask for too much more.”
Likeakalix is likely to go for a spell now; the $30,000 purchase has raced seven times for four wins and earned over $200,000 in prize money.
Primed to win
After a frustrating run of second placings, Magnaprime ($2.40) scored a deserved victory in the $35,000 Carbine Club 3YO Handicap (1200m).
Trainer Adam Trinder had given the 3yo a freshen since his last start second in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas over 1600m in early January.
Magnaprime (J.Allen) holds off Snowdonia to win the Carbine Club 3YO Handicap.
Trinder added blinkers to the son of Magnus and adopted different riding tactics, with the horse ridden from behind.
“He definitely deserved to win a race this horse; he’s been racing really consistently but still not the furnished product. He’s getting to the front and floating; I thought the blinkers might have alleviated that more than they did, but I trust with more exposure he will continue to improve,” Trinder said.
Magnaprime held off a late challenge from Snowdonia ($4.80) to win by a short half head with Highand Duel ($4.20) a close third.
Siggy Carr will aim her mare Lovin’ Bev at the $150,000 Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m) on Launceston on Cup Day after a brave win in the Class 5 Hcp (1390m).
Lovin’ Bev ($4.60) has won five races, all five have been over 1400m, and Carr is confident she will acquit herself well at the track where she seems to race best.
A natural leader, Lovin’ Bev led but was held together by jockey Lizzie Annells and after looking susceptible at the top of the straight, dug deep to win well.