EXCITING pacer Star Chamber gave young Tasmanian trainer-driver Nathan Ford, his greatest moment in the sport when the gelding powered his way to an emphatic win in the $40,000 Smithawards Tasmania Cup over 2579 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart today (Sunday).
The win was good enough for Ford to suggest he will now head to the Group 1 Hunter Cup in Melbourne next month.
Star Chamber landed in Ford’s stables about this time last year and he declared six months later that the gelded six-year-old son of Our Sir Vancelot would win feature and Group races while in his care.
Today his prediction was realised and stamped the flashy chestnut as one of the brightest prospects in the state.
It was an emotional trainer-driver who was brought to tears when asked to describe his biggest win.
And when his father Scott Ford, who has won just about every feature race in Tasmania except a Tasmania Cup, arrived to congratulate his son he was unable to hold back the tears.
Star Chamber began well from the pole position but was crossed by the in-form Blue Pointer (2) that had no trouble securing the lead.
The $1.20 favourite Im Corzin Terror (Chris Alford) was held back at the start to settle near the rear and when Alford made his move just over a lap from home he was forced to sit three-wide until they were well into the home turn the last time.
Blue Pointer had a kick at the top of the straight with Im Corzin Terror under extreme pressure to overhaul the leader but when Ford eased Star Chamber off the fence to challenge the gelding stormed home to win easily from Im Corzin terror and Blue Pointer.
Star Chamber covered the 2579-metre trip in 3m.08.55s with a mile rate of 1.57.8 and he ran home his last half (800m) in 58.63 seconds.
Listen to what trainer-driver Nathan Ford and his father Scott Ford had to say about Star Chamber’s Tasmania Cup win:
See Mitchell, Nathan Ford’s younger brother, holding the Tasmania Cup for his family shortly after the race:
See the community support for the win from the comments on this Facebook post:
Watch the race replay: