Tasracing

The Leanne Gaffney juggernaut continued to roll in Devonport on Sunday with another three winners coming from the in-form stable.

Gaffney has saddled up nine winners from the first four meetings of the new season to hold a commanding lead on the trainer’s premiership table.

Gaffney’s former wild thing Cabarrus made it three wins in succession with arguably his best win this time in.

Cabarrus had been a slow maturer and he also was strong-willed in his races and on the training track, but talented rider Bulent Muhcu has struck a special relationship with the gelded son of Squamosa.

This latest win was clearly his most impressive and Gaffney says he could be even better when he steps out over longer distances.

“Cabarrus was a bit headstrong in whatever he did early in his career, but he has slowly but surely come to terms with racing,” Gaffney said.

“Bulent (Muhcu) has worked him out and today the horse came back underneath him and settled and that was a great sign that he’s learning.”

Muhcu said Cabarrus had been a tough horse to work out, but he believes he has untapped ability.

“His two previous wins were good, and he dictated how he wanted to race, but today he let me take charge and when the gap came in the home straight, he was very keen to win,” Muhcu said.

Gaffney’s mare Barbie’s Witness made it back-to-back wins when she rattled home from well back to score impressively in a benchmark 60 handicap over 1150m.

With apprentice Brandon Louis aboard, Barbie’s Witness unleashed a powerful finishing burst to gather in the leaders and go on and score by two lengths from Goodness Gracie and Windrider.

Up Wind made up Gaffney’s treble and she says the gelding could be a Hobart and Launceston cups prospect.

“Up Wind was a terrific run in last season’s Tasmanian Derby and I think he will excel when we get him out over a decent trip.”

Watch Cabarrus score an impressive win over 1350m in Devonport on Sunday.