In Brief
- Brunton and Pires secure early double at return meeting.
- Videmanette dominant and backed accordingly.
- I'm A Floozy another convincing winner.
The return of racing from an almost three-month hiatus caused by the pandemic restrictions passed without a hitch in Launceston yesterday with all trainers and participants expressing their relief to be back in business.
Premier trainer Scott Brunton celebrated in the best way possible by preparing the first winner, Vallabar ($8.00), which scored impressively with David Pires in the saddle.
While social distancing was observed to the limit, there were no stand-up interviews allowed before or after races with trainers or jockeys, but a phone conversation with the trainer revealed the gelding could have a bright future.
“I like the way this horse has progressed and I would expect more wins, but how far this four-year-old progresses will depend on how he comes through this race.” Brunton said.
“It was a good ride by David [Pires], and he made no secret of that when I spoke to him after the race.”
If Brunton was happy with Vallabar’s win, he had even more to like about the win of his three-year-old filly Vidamanette, which scored one of the most impressive wins on the 10-event card.
Previously in the care of Victorian trainer Gemma Riley, Vidamanette was sensationally backed in to start the $2.30 favourite.
“Vidamanette has been working well and on her trial win I thought she would only have to take that effort into the race to win and that’s how it panned out,” Brunton said.
I’m A Floozy
Longford trainer Angela Brakey was all smiles after her well-bred three-year-old filly I’m a Floozy ($4.40) scored an emphatic win in a maiden over 1100m.
I’m a Floozy was one of a small team Brakey sent to Victoria after the industry was shut down on 1 April, but the filly suffered a minor injury in a race at Kilmore after which she was sent home to recuperate. She won a trial at Longford on May 19 by seven lengths convincing the trainer that she had fully recovered from her setback.
“After she won the Longford trial, I was convinced we had sorted out her issues,” Brakey said. “She has always shown us above-average ability, but she kept going sore, but the way she won today I’d say all that’s well behind her.”
Watch the impressive win of Videmanette in Launceston on Sunday.