Tasracing

James Dean continued his Tasmanian country cup winning run when he scored in Saturday’s Page Transport Carrick Cup at Carrick Park in front of the largest crowd in Tasmania since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place.

Only six runners lined up in the Cup with driver Troy McDonald able to get the $6.00 chance straight past the sole front marker in the early stages, but the gelded son of Santanna Blue Chip was inclined to over race in the lead registering quarters of 28.4s, 32.0s, 29.1s and 31.1s over the final mile.

James Dean had a fight on his hands in the home straight by Buster William with a head between them at the finish with 5.7 metres back in the race to the third placegetter and race favourite Mister Gently.

“He is very strong and very much one-paced, he did over race in the lead, but Troy (McDonald) did a good job not to choke him, and I think he is better out striding like that rather than driven cold,” said winning trainer Ben Yole after the race.

“He was a very good horse in New Zealand but never really brought that form to Australia, the standing starts suit him down here in Tasmania, that’s why he was sent here,” added Yole about the pacer who has also added the New Norfolk Cup to his resume this season.

“We do a bit of business with Grant Dixon in Queensland who has recommended many horses to come down to us, and he did that with the owners of this horse, and we only have Grant to thank for that,” explained the winning trainer.

James Dean was a one time emergency for the New Zealand Cup, and will get his opportunity to take on the Group 2 Tasmania Cup series in the coming week.

“He is into a high rating now, but we will go to the Tasmania Cup heats next with him, he will get the front in that, and he loves the distance that’s for sure,” said Yole.

The mile rate for the 2650-metre trip recorded by James Dean was 2m 1.7s which took 0.8s off the track record which was held by Sunny Sanz when winning last year’s race.

It was a great day for Westbury trainer Michael Laugher who combined with driver Rohan Hillier to record a treble on the card.

Micton Aroha recorded a half-head victory over the well supported Hesnoprince ($4.40 into $2.05) in the opening event before Emjays Black Chip and Karalta Courage got the job done in their respective races, with Hillier’s drive on Karalta Courage securing the driver the Don Peck Memorial Drive Of The Day award.

Major Davvin continued his love affair with the Carrick Park track when winning a 45 to 49 rated event while junior driver Malcom Jones was able to cause a minor upset win on the Tammy Langley-trained Christian Major to end the winning run of the Conor Crook-trained Gone And Forgotten.

Crook had reason to smile in the final event of the day when he trained and drove $1.40 favourite Lavaughn to a 10.5-metre victory.

The large crowd had plenty of attractions to keep them entertained including the children who left with pockets full of lollies that were donated by bookmaker Steve Walters, and for those that didn’t make it City Park Radio provided an outstanding coverage presented by David Mohor and Adrian Collins.

Watch James Dean score in the Page Transport Carrick Cup.