Veteran Ulverstone-based horseman Rod Burgess and popular driver Shelley Barnes combined to have their names etched into the record books today when smart filly Tessanzo became the winner of the first race held on the Tapeta synthetic thoroughbred track at Spreyton Park Devonport.
Tessanzo (Life Sign-Dalmont Jo) faced the breeze for most of the race but defied the tough run to go on and score narrowly from Buck Major in a photo-finish in the Motors Devonport Pace (3C0-3C1) over 1750 metres.
It was the first of six races on the ground-breaking program at Spreyton Park that has been many months in the planning.
Burgess was thrilled wit the result and heaped praise o the track and Barnes also was supportive of the track but she was even more complimentary after the second race which she also won aboard he Robert Richards-trained Just Call Me Nic that won a C0 in another photo-finish but this time the margin was even closer.
Listen to what trainer Rod Burges had to say about his win and the Tapeta synthetic track – click here.