TASMANIA has been a happy hunting ground for Victorian trainer Darren Weir with success in three AAMI Hobart Cups in the space of four years from 2006-2009 making him one of the most successful interstate trainers in the history of the race.
While this year his sole Hobart Cup nomination Streaky Fella is unlikely to gain a berth owing to his low rating, Weir is confident his quality filly Le Bel Away can emerge triumphant and give him his first Tasmanian Oaks on February 17.
Le Bel Away scored an impressive win over the Lee Freedman-trained Exchanges over 1600 metres in the Thousand Guineas in Launceston last Thursday night and she will have her final hit-out before the Oaks in the Listed Strutt Stakes at Tattersall’s Park on Saturday.
“Le Bel Away has done really well since her Thousand Guineas win and the Strutt Stakes will be a good test on Saturday because it will be the first time she’s gone beyond 1800 metres,” Weir said.
“I left her in Tasmania with Longford trainers George and Troy Blacker because they have a fantastic set-up at their stables.”
“This filly has always given me the impression she will stay and the way she hit the line in the Thousand Guineas it only reaffirmed my first thoughts,” he said.
Le Bel Away was ridden by leading Tasmanian jockey Brendon McCoull who has retained the ride for the filly’s next two assignments in Tasmania.
Weir also was keen to saddle up Hurdy Gurdy Man in this Saturday’s Tasmanian Derby but he said the gelding failed to impress in a fast gallop yesterday morning.
“I was really looking forward to bringing Hurdy Gurdy Man for the Derby but his gallop was awful this morning so I reckon he’s had enough and he’ll go for a spell,” Weir said.
Meanwhile Gai Waterhouse has been searching for a suitable rider for her mare Princess Quality that will contest the $150,000 Bow Mistress Trophy over 1200 metres on Saturday.
The stable settled on local rider Justin Hamer who has been riding the crest of a wave of late.
Waterhouse stable spokesperson Andrew Kelly said Hamer was chosen from a list of about eight possibilities and based on Waterhouse’s jockey evaluation system Hamer was the pick of the crop.
Princess Quality will be up against a star-studded line up that makes the Bow Mistress clearly the best race on the program on Saturday.
The Derby boasts a modest field of three-year-olds and while it will be billed as the headlining race on the media focus could turn to the Bow Mistress.
The stakes of the Bow Mistress was lifted significantly to $150,000 this year with the hope of attracting top class mares and fillies that could assist with progressing the race top Group status.
Of the 21 mares and one filly nominated for the race 10 are owned and trained interstate with five already Group or Listed winners.
While the interstate invaders have good form they will have to be at their best to outgun local stars Lady Lynette and I’m A Hussy, both prepared by the reigning premier training partnership of Dave and Scott Brunton.