In Brief
- Brunton/Keys have a day to remember.
- Mandela Effect and Hellova Street run the quinella for third straight meeting.
- Plan comes to fruition for trainer.
Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Day 2020 won’t be soon forgotten for Scott Brunton and Tegan Keys, teaming up to win over half the races on the 10-event program.
It took no time at all to get the ball rolling as the Tegan Keys-trained Le Monde De Lucas ($7.00) opened the account in the first race, giving David Pires the first of what would ultimately be four wins for the jockey on the day.
Following wins for the heavily backed pair Banstead ($3.80) and Galenus ($2.60 fav), it was clear that it was going to be a huge day for the Seven Mile Beach Brunton/Keys combination as the Listed Steve’s Liqour Mowbray Stakes saw Brunton cornering the market through Hellova Street and Mandela Effect.
The first of three black type features didn’t disappoint as the easing Mandela Effect ($1.75) looked in all sorts of trouble on the home turn before rallying to defeat Hellova Street ($2.60) and Zatacla ($8.50) who threatened to spoil the party 200 metres from home.
Speaking after the race, a clearly emotional Brunton paid credit to the winning ride from Craig Newitt.
“It was a sensational ride, he had a decision to make getting to the corner what bum he followed and I’m glad he followed the old horse through Hellova Street,” said Brunton.
The win for Mandela Effect marked his third in succession, and after an All-Star Mile campaign that ended with a 15th place on the leaderboard, Brunton advised that Wednesday’s run would be his last for the preparation.
“That will be his last run for the prep, he won’t be going on from here and it was a great result”.
To round out a day that dreams are made of, Brunton trained the final two winners of the program through Ruettiger ($9.00) and Words of Pride ($3.70 equal fav). The five winners for Brunton along with the opening winner for his partner Tegan Keys gave them six for the day and was the culmination of some excellent planning from the stable.
“I planned that we’d have a big day leading into this and it doesn’t often come to fruition,” Brunton said after the last race.
Having one of the bigger operations in the state involves plenty of hard work and Brunton passed on the credit for the team’s huge day.
“Terrific effort. A big thanks goes to the staff. I’m the front man, there’s a lot goes on behind the scenes and it’s just been incredible”.
photo courtesy of Sharon Chapman
Watch the replay of Mandela Effect winning the Listed Steve’s Liquor Mowbray Stakes