TOP Victorian reinsman Gavin Lang has always had success when driving in Tasmania and he showed why he is considered one of the best in the nation with a superb piece of reinsmanship aboard Rusty Red Comet at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart today.
The Eric Jacobson-trained gelding was backed in to start the $2.10 favourite and it was Lang’s patience that ensured the four-year-old emerged triumphant.
Vander Jenkins ($10 into $8) showed good early speed to find the front while Smokin Mustard $14) was left to face the breeze with the well-tried Frankie Falzoni ($9) left to trail the leader from the pole position.
Lang settled Rusty Red Comet in the rear half of the field in the one-out line and he waited until entering the back straight the last time to make his move three and four-wide.
The well backed second favourite Major Callum (Wade Rattray) was sent around the field to face the breeze with over a lap remaining and he looked the winner turning for home when he claimed the leader.
But when Lang called on Rusty Red Comet to deliver the goods the gelded son of Riverboat King found that bit extra that Lang is often able to extricate from his charges to emerge triumphant.
Rusty Red Comet hit the line three metres clear of Major Callum with Frankie Falzoni a metre astern.