WHEN Devil’s Tears won her maiden in early June her co-trainer Scott Brunton was undecided whether or not the mare had a big future.
But it is amazing what a win will do for a horse’s confidence and progress.
She was placed third at her subsequent outing a month later (July 3) on a heavy track but she was denied another victory through no fault of her own.
Connections sent her for a short spell and that too did her the world of good.
At Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last Sunday the four-year-old mare resumed with one of the most courageous wins seen on the Elwick track this season.
Devil’s Tears (Savoire Vivre-Cragganmore) was ridden by in-form jockey Patrick Keane who opted to lead and make those behind chased hard for the last 600 metres.
But at the 100-metre mark it looked as if all the hard front-running had taken its toll and she looked set to be passed by the well-backed Tuesdaynitedelight.
But that’s when she revealed the part of her make-up that could see her develop into one of the state’s best sprinter-miler mares.
When Tuesdaynitedelight moved past her, Keane presented the persuader but he had no need because Devil’s Tears slipped into another gear and drew clear over the concluding stages to win by over a length.
While it was a modest class one handicap against winter opposition, both rider and trainer agreed that Devil’s Tears has a very bright future.
Listen to what jockey Patrick Keane had to say about Devil’s Tears’ latest performance.