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In a tricky photo finish that fooled most people on track, General Assembly got punters off on the right note in Devonport on Friday when he won the Class 2, (1650m).
Second-up from a spell, General Assembly ($3.60 – $2.50) led early but with others making mid-race moves, jockey Erica Byrne Burke found herself last in the small field approaching the home turn but angled into the clear, and after a duel with Afridi, ($5) got the judges verdict by the narrowest of margins. Chicane ($3.10) who reared at the start, put up a strong effort to finish third.
The Angela Brakey trained 4YO has now raced on the synthetic track three times for two wins.
On a day of tight finishes, first starter Trixie rattled home in the last 100m to grab Miss Keeds right on the line to win the Maiden (1009m).
Miss Keeds ($2.60 – $1.50) looked to have the race won when she raced clear early in the straight but Trixie ($4.00 – 7.50) showed enormous courage to win in a photo finish.
The judges were busy again in the BM60 (1150m), with Feisty Lion ($23) initially declared the winner in a bobbing finish over Vokes ($5.50) with Drinks At Vista ($2.80) third.
Feisty Lion, however, was wayward in the closing stages, and a protest by the rider of the second horse, Anthony Darmanin, was upheld, with Vokes promoted to first place.
Vokes gave local trainer Leanne Gaffney a race-to race double.
It was another photo finish and another nose margin in the 1009m class 1 with the favourite Red Sphere on the right side of the photo, lasting to win from Philosophers Stone ($9) with Elmajay finishing third.
Red Sphere ($2.10) was pressured throughout the race by Elmajay ($14) but, despite the tough run, got home taking his record to four starts for two wins, both in Devonport.