LAUNCESTON Cup winner Varcoe proved he is creeping back to top form with an impressive victory in an invitation race over 4611 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last night (Thursday).
After winning the Group 2 Launceston Cup in February the Debbie Cannan-trained dog continued to race well and even travelled to Sydney for two starts at Wentworth Park in April in which he was unplaced.
He won two in succession upon his return to Tasmania but after two subsequent outings he was given a six-week spell.
Varcoe (El Galo-magic Dust) had been mixing his form since his return but this latest assignment revealed the Varcoe of old.
He began well from box four and always had the leader, Hannah Boden, in his sight.
Turning for home Varcoe moved alongside the leader and forge clear then staved off a late challenge from That Was Then to defeat that dog by 1-1/2 lengths with Hannah Bardon almost a length astern.
With splits of 5.12 and 11.27 Varcoe motored up the home straight to stop the clock at 26.29.
While well off his personal best of 25.80 it left no doubt the Chris Nutt-owned dog remains capable of winning his chare of top grade races.
Varcoe has had 33 starts for 11 wins and 13 minor placings for over $60,000 in stakes.