In Brief
- First Accused causes an upset in the Thomas Lyons.
- Plan comes to fruition.
- Victorian visitor takes out the Strutt.
First Accused was back to his giant-killing best, taking out the Listed $125,000 WFA Wrest Point Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) after a terrific ride by Irish jockey Shane Foley, who snuck inside runs to score a narrow victory over Durazzo and The Inevitable.
The reigning horse of the year, First Accused ($15), has now won 10 of his 40 starts and almost $700,000 in prize money.
The 7yo has a liking for the Hobart track with seven wins and has five starts for three wins and two placings at the course and distance.
“We wanted to go in as fit as we could be but fresh in the head,” trainer Glenn Stevenson said.
“I’d say it’s a great training effort but a great training effort by the whole team. He plays games with us, but I got one over him today.”
First Accused will head to the 1600m Listed Hellova Street Stakes in Launceston on Cup Day.
The runner up Durazzo ($3.50) having his first try at WFA, lost no admirers and The Inevitable ($1.90) after getting back to last, ran on gamely to finish third.
The run was compensation for Foley, who just 40 minutes earlier had been runner-up in the Hobart Cup.
Off to the Oaks
Victorian filly Suntora showed she will be hard to beat in the Listed $150,000 Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) in Launceston on Friday week after an impressive win in the traditional lead-up race the $125,000 Aviso TAS Insurance Brokers Strutt Stakes (2100m).
Suntora (J.Melham) wins the 2025 Strutt Stakes.
Trained by Nick Ryan and ridden by Jamie Melham, Suntora settled last in the small field but made a sharp move rounding the home turn before racing to the lead 150m from home.
The favourite for the race, Silver Dagger, battled on gamely to finish second ahead of her stablemate Snow Eagle ($9.50).
“This filly, it was hard work pulling her up. She wanted to go another lap so she will be strong over 2500 or 2600m,” Melham said.
Suntora arrived at the Wesley Vale stables of Glenn Stevenson on Thursday afternoon and will remain there until the Oaks on 21 February.
Suntora was the best backed late in betting, firming from $3.20 to start $2.25; Silver Dagger eased from $1.70 to $2.20 with the weight of support for the winner.