THERE is no doubt the long drive home from Devonport to Hobart will be less draining for top jockey Stephen Maskiell tonight having delivered the goods aboard hailed in the second race on the card at Spreyton.
Hailed is owned and trained by the jockey’s wife Yasmin Maskiell and it was her first starter as a trainer.
You could probably count the number of modern day Tasmanian trainers to prepare a winner at their first attempt on one hand so Hailed’s triumph puts Maskiell in an elite group.
Hailed had two starts in December last year for two game seconds before being spelled.
He was third in a trial last month and most punters believed that was enough to have him ready for a bold first-up assault.
The three-year-old grey gelding is by Carry The Flag from the Octagonal mare Thumb.
Stephen Maskiell settled Hailed worse than midfield but allowed the gelding to improve steadily from the 600m peg.
When Maskiell called on the grey to extend he quickly collared the leaders and went on to win well from the well backed Regio with Getaway Gold third just in advance of race leader Kwaboom that stuck on well in the home straight.