The final meeting of the 2019-20 season in Devonport on Sunday belonged to Leanne Gaffney who trained four winners including the last three of the program.
Sunday continues a brilliant run of results for Gaffney following the resumption of racing with a winning strike rate of 41% and place strike rate of 82% in that period.
Brendon McCoull and Bulent Muhcu both had doubles to share riding honours.
The winners
1150m
Race 7 (BM 74 Hcp) – Cranbrook 1:08.77
Race 6 (Maiden) – Needadollarbill 1:09.71
Reward Achiever winning a maiden in Devonport.
Race 5 (Maiden) – Reward Achiever 1:09.72
Race 8 (BM 60 Hcp) – Tessie 1:09.79
Race 4 (2YO Maiden) – One Lotto 1:09.87
1350m
Race 9 (BM 66 Hcp) – Cabarrus 1:22.74
1650m
Race 1 (BM 74 hcp) – Dark Wanderer 1:42.69
Race 3 (Maiden/Class 1) – Rubyranger 1:42.92
Race 2 (Maiden/Class 1) – Elisavet 1:44.24
Race summaries
Race 1: The highly promising Dark Wanderer ($1.45F) made it four wins from as many career starts. This was his first run past 1350m, but the mile held no fears with Siggy Carr going straight to the front and absorbing pressure from Kanji ($21) right up until the home turn. The leading pair put a huge space on the rest and while visually it looked like they were going very hard in front, the overall time was only just over a length quicker than the win of Rubyranger in race three, and Ethical Dilemma ($4.80 out to $7.50) was able to run the fastest last 200m, 400m and 600m of the day from the rear of the field. With three of his four wins coming in Devonport, the Cup would be a logical target race for trainer Sarah Cotton with the horse’s front running style perfectly suited to the track.
Elisavet wins one of four for Leanne Gaffney.
Race 2: A quality ride from Brendon McCoull delivered a deserved win for Elisavet ($2.25F) and ensured favourite punters were away to a great start. From a tricky gate McCoull was aggressive early to land behind the leaders which was important as the race was moderately run with an overall time around eight lengths slower than the following race. Gee Gees Magic Man ($10) settled a little further back than most speed maps would’ve had him but Siggy Carr secured rails runs to work into second just ahead of Huon Chief ($10), Odin’s Folly ($51) and Red Fiore ($6.50) who all raced towards the front of the field.
Race 3: The second emergency Rubyranger ($31) gained a start and slipped under the radar of most punters to narrowly edge out Irish Shotgun ($17 into $10) in a thrilling finish. This race was run at a very fast pace for the grade so it was no surprise that in a war of attrition a Michael Trinder-trained horse was the strongest late. Jumping from 1150m to 1650m may have seemed a strange setup but the 1350m trial in between was run in good time and in fact was two lengths quicker than the win of Cabarrus in the last race on this program. The second horse had good support and covered some ground early which may have been the telling factor late. The tempo found a few out, particularly the well-backed Douglas ($6.50 in to $5) who was the first horse beaten, but Calingo ($7 out to $17) was a good run for third after being scratched from Caulfield on Saturday and Boom Dot Com ($6) settled too far back to make an impact but ran on when the race was over.
Race 4: The John Keys-trained One Lotto ($9.50) headed a trifecta of first starters. A $42,500 purchase, this win has gone a way to recouping those costs and he was a strong winner after Troy Baker raced outside the leader Vienna Boy ($5 out to $8.50) who faded to finish fourth. Leanne Gaffney trained the next two across the line with Weldborough ($5.50) and Freelancer ($2.15F) landing just behind the speed. Freelancer in particular was heavily backed from the time markets opened and clearly has ability but a lot to learn. Further back in the field Trifurther ($19) and Swoop Dog ($31) made late ground with only half a length between fourth and seventh.
One Lotto (Troy Baker) wins a 2YO maiden on debut in Devonport.
Race 5: This looked a one act affair on paper, and it played out that way with Daniel Ganderton able to cross early aboard Reward Achiever ($1.40F) for an easy victory. The wide gate was the only concern but when Ganderton jumped well the race was in his keeping with Maywyn is the Word ($41) coming out of the pack at a big price to get within a couple of lengths late. Needs More Love ($6) was the horse given the best chance of an upset but raced wide without cover and didn’t finish off as a result.
Race 6: Needadollarbill ($3.60) was forced to race wide without cover throughout but was still too strong with David Pires in the saddle. He put the writing on the wall with a similar effort first-up and was suited by the extra distance. Dusty Joe ($2.90F) was slow out but ran home with the best 400m of the race and will appreciate 1350m and further around this track. Society Bill ($3.30) was the other favoured runner but raced even wider than the winner did as Kyle Maskiell had no luck slotting in from barrier 11. Those two missing the placings meant second through fourth were all wide in the market with Bellatavi ($17) leading the rest of the placegetters.
Race 7: Cranbrook ($4.80 out to $7) was given the run of the race by Brendon McCoull to give him a double for the day. McCoull settled behind the leaders and didn’t go around a horse with a gap presenting on the home corner. In race where just 2.7 lengths separated the whole field, the ride/run was key. GeeGees Brightstar ($21) was the one horse the market really gave little chance to, but he ran into second and is going really well for the 1350m around Devonport.
Needadollarbill (David Pires) winning a maiden in Devonport.
Race 8: Bulent Muhcu rated Tessie ($6 out to $9.50) to perfection in front and just had enough in the tank to hold on from Artuso ($3.80 into $2.90) and Gee Gee Redhead ($9.50 out to $15) in a very tight photo finish. Only the 2YO maiden had a slower winning time of the five 1150m races which shows the easy time the leader had in front. The race also produced some of the fastest closing splits of the day, especially Gee Gee Double Hot ($26), Terrific Torri ($31) and Silent Bid ($20) who all ran on from back in the field. Leanne Gaffney had three in the race with the winner a big drifter as the money come for Artuso who rattled home for second and Barbie’s Witness ($4.20 into $3) who was blocked for a run at a key point in the home straight.
Race 9: Sometimes it’s just your day and that was the case for Leanne Gaffney and Star Thoroughbreds who completed a sweep of the last three races as Cabarrus ($4.40 out to $6.50) won with Bulent Muhcu in the saddle for the second race in a row. Similar to stablemate Cranbrook earlier, the winner had the right run sweating on the leaders and had the last crack at Invincible Rock ($3.80) who pulled clear in the home straight. The inability for Siggy Carr to cross Gee Gees Cricket ($8) who held the rail in front had a big say to the overall result. Backmarkers never really got into the race, much to the disgust of those who piled into Willby Rules ($5 into $2.90), while Congomotion ($10 out to $17) had the best late splits in the race and is going very well for a race over further.
FORMPLUS Black Bookers
Irish Shotgun – Had good market support, looked the winner 200m from home. Overall time suggests this may be a strong form race.
Freelancer – Heavy betting support. Clearly has ability but very green and likely looking for more ground.
Congomotion – Excellent late in his last two 1350m runs. Crying out for 1650m now.
Watch the replay of Rubyranger and Irish Shotgun fighting out the finish in race 3.