IT took Jason Clifford two races to signal his presence in Tasmanian training ranks since returning from a two-year stint in Victoria.
Clifford’s promising four-year-old Seven Mile King powered home to defeat his stablemate Cosmic Dane in a maiden over 1200 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart
It was the gelding’s first start in the state and his first run for just over three months.
The former Hobart Cup-winning trainer has only been back in the state for a month and this was only his second meeting where he had a runner.
Cosmic Dane ran third at his first start in the state two weeks ago and he now looks certain to break his maiden status in the coming weeks.
Clifford was impressed with Seven Mile King’s effort.
“I was rapt with how this horse finished his race off and on that run I’m real sure he can win a few class races,” Clifford said.
Seven Mile King ($1.70) was ridden by Brendon McCoull who enjoyed a great working relationship with Clifford when he was last training in the state.
“I asked Brendon to dig him out of the gates but not to push him too hard and let him ease his way into the race and that’s exactly how he rode him,” Clifford said.
Seven Mile King began fairly from barrier one and McCoull had him settled midfield on the fence after traveling 300 metres.
When McCoull called on the gelded son of King Of Roses in the home straight he forged clear and hit the line well ahead of Cosmic Dane that came from near last on the turn with Romp Around Jill a close-up third ahead of Constant Velocity.