3 minute read

Trainer Yassy Nishitani gave punters watching TasracingTV a great tip for his youngster Garçon D’espoir ($17) who finished off powerfully to win the $50,000 Tasbred 2YO (1200m) in Launceston Friday night.

After his filly Espur had broken through for an overdue win in the 1100m maiden, Yishitani said he was "100% confident" he could make it a race-to-race double.

Ridden by Codi Jordan , Garçon D'espoir despite doing a few things wrong was too good for the John Keys pair of Skyland ($8) and Native Clan ($10) which dead-heated for second.

"He actually did a lot wrong, he wanted to lay in a lot, he's actually just proved too strong today.

"He worked enormous at home and credit to Yassy and his team, they put the hours in so he's deserved this double tonight," Jordan said.

Yassy Nishitani will now set Garcon D'espoir for the 1400m Sires Produce Stakes.

Earlier, Espur ($3.50) broke a frustrating run of near misses, scoring her first win at start 16.

With seven minor placings to her credit, it seemed just a matter of time before she would win and after a patient ride by Anthony Darmanin, the 4YO did just that.

'Darma' was happy to sit off the pace and that proved to be a winning move.

"It planned out how I thought it would with Tough Impact ($3.10) leading, we sat off it and travelled really nicely and we were too good late," Darmanin said.

The heavily backed favourite Bine lasted to score in a tight finish to the $50,000 Tasbred 3YO (1200m).

Bine ($1.40) made it three wins from eight starts and a wining double for trainer Adam Trinder and jockey Erica Byrne Burke.

"She's been racing in higher 3YO grade all year but I'm just happy for the filly; I love her to death," Leah Goodrick from the Trinder stable said.

"She's just a beautiful horse, she has a beautiful nature, just a really nice horse. She has been up for a while, I'm not sure what Adam has planned for her."

Byrne Burke has just returned from WA where she represented Tasmania in the National Apprentice Race Series. She only arrived back in the state on Friday morning after flight delays.

"She's a good filly she was very tough, she ran along nicely and held on. It was always the plan to go out and lead," Byrne Burke said.

"I got some nice rides over there (Perth) I really enjoyed the experience."

Bloomtime ($14) was an eye-catching second and would have won in another stride, with Carnelian Rock ($26) third. Them's The Breaks ($5) was a late scratching at the barriers.

Lauryn Bingley, who made her return to race riding earlier this season after taking time out to start a family, scored the biggest win of her career, and her first double, when Li'l Hail Mary ($41) caused an upset in the $50,000 Tasbred 4YO (1400m).

The mare settled back at the tail, but with most jockeys staying away from the rails, Bingley pinched plenty of ground along the inside and Li'l Hail Mary grabbed the lead late to defeat Muscle Up ($5.50) by a long neck, with the favourite Cartoon Graveyard ($1.85) third.

"We do want to get her over ground. Going back in distance was not ideal, but at the same stage, she ran a nice race last week, and we expected a forward showing.

"We will probably step her back up to 1600m and see what's about for her," trainer Monica Ryan said.

"I just thought no one has gone near the rail; we've had a few races off the rail; this horse has got a great turn of foot; she's got a really sharp 200m," Bingley said.

"Probably at the 600m, I thought I was travelling really well. Just be patient. Get around the corner, and she let down lovely."