Tasracing

Blackbird Power warmed up for next month’s Group 2 Ladbrokes Easter Cup after a handy win in the Ladbrokes Discretionary in Launceston last night.

It was the second win this month for the Gavin Kelly-trained pacer who was driven a treat by Adrian Collins in the 2698 metre standing start event.

“It was a strong race, but it was a good race, in all free-for-all races you need to bring you’re A game, but I liked the way he won it, he won with authority, and I liked the way he chased the leader down,” said winning driver Adrian Collins after the race.

“I was thrilled with the way he went away tonight; he stepped with the field and gave himself a chance,” he added.

Blackbird Power was on the quick back up after finishing midfield in Burnie on Friday.

“He may have just needed that run in Burnie on Friday which topped him off nicely for tonight, he was presented very well by Gavin Kelly once again tonight,” said Collins.

Blackbird Power scored by 5.7-metres over the early leader Remember Joe with Black Centurian a further 9.1-metres away third in a mile rate of 2m 0.7s.

It was the last start that the gelded son of Mach Three would have for his part-owner Gavin Kelly with the seven-year-old pacer to join the Brighton stables of Zeke Slater.

Slater indicated that the Easter Cup was the pacers next aim and Collins will be hoping to keep the drive.

“I will be certainly looking to retain the drive, and I’m more than grateful for the opportunities that Mr Kelly has given me on this horse,” said the driver.

Beauty Point trainer-driver Conor Crook was in the winner’s circle later in the night when Stormont Star scored in the Carlton Draught Pace for horses with a national rating of 56 to 65.

The six-year-old gelded son of For A Reason was having his second start since joining the Crook stable and he did a bit of work early to find the spot outside the leader in the 2200 metre event.

“He did a good job tonight, he felt pretty strong at Devonport last start, so I drove him accordingly,” said Crook.

Recording a mile rate of 2m 0.2s Stormont Star defeated the race favourite Neds Beach by 5.4-metres with Our Percius 3.9-metres away third.

“I have had him about a month, I just messaged Grant Dixon one day, and he had him on the market, I watched a few of his replays and brought him,” explained the trainer-driver.

“I don’t think he is a world-beater, but if you drive him like that, I think he can win a couple more,” he said.

Rohan Hillier prepared a training and driving double on the card with Giftofjoy who was first-up since 25 September and Prosecution Witness.

The win of Quick Changeover in the Jubilee Bakery Pace gave Sidmouth-based trainer Ben Yole his 800th career win as a trainer.

Yole prepared a treble on the card with the well supported Another Mortgage scoring in the Great Northern Super Crisp Stakes and Perfect Mach in the Lees Orchard Claimer.

Last night’s meeting was once again closed to the general public with only essential race day staff and those that hold a trainer, drivers or stable hand’s licence allowed entry to the track.