BRIGHTON trainer Terry Evans knows what it takes to prepare a top two-year-old as he has had at least one top liner in his yard for the past three seasons.
Last season he prepared Western Hero to win four feature races that secured the gelding the title of Tasmanian 2YO of the Year.
At Tattersall’s Park in Hobart today the Tasmanian Racing Club plays host to the first two-year-old race of the season and it boasts a near capacity field.
Originally there were 12 acceptors but two of Darryl Horner Senior’s have been scratched as well as the Gary White-trained filly Mon Chou Ala Creme
Evans holds the key to the race. He will saddle up three of the nine candidates.
Evan s’ contingent comprises By Far, a gelded son of Bernardini, the Casino Prince filly Miss Elsa and his God’s Own gelding Inner Warrior that is from the Encosta de Lago mare El Milagro.
By Far won a trial in Hobart on October 16 in which Inner Warrior finished third but beaten only 1.3 lengths and he was not punched right out at the finish.
By Far was not extended either and the guide could be that apprentice Bulent Muhcu had the option of riding whichever he thought was the best winning chance and he has stuck with By Far.
Miss Elsa has been ridden by Shuji Amano throughout her preparation and he will take the sit aboard that filly while Kelvin “The Iceman” Sanderson will partner Inner Warrior that is owned by the same group that races Western Hero that has since been transferred to the Mick Price stable at Caulfield.
By Far’s time for his 800-metre trial was 51.01s that was slick given the conditions on the day.
John Luttrell will saddle up two in the race in the big and rangy Clangalang gelding Gee Gee Black Fury as well as a Teofilo filly Gee Gees Prairie and both won their respective trials in Hobart on Tuesday.
Both are owned by the state’s leading owners Paul and Elizabeth Geard
Who also have Geegees Red Rock, trained at Spreyton by Leon Wells and Geegees Martini that is prepared by Stuart Gandy.
Both trialed well and they are both by the Geards’ resident stallion Wordsmith.
The first race is scheduled to start at 12.30pm.