3 minute read
Tricky Mikki wins in a deceptive photo.
Consistent mare Tricky Mikki ($3.80) was finally back a winner, taking out the 1400m Class 1 Hcp, scoring in a tight finish from Surely Special ($3.70), who would have won in another stride.
Tricky Mikki hadn't won for 474 days, but she has been runner-up on six occasions. The win continued the great run of success for trainers Tanya Hanson and Kyle Maskiell and their stable apprentice Lauryn Bingley.
"She is so tough. She's a little ripper. She barely misses a placing, so it's full credit to her. She is a tough little girl," Bingley said.
"She's been placed at more than half of her race starts, so she has been a little beauty, really. She was only a $10,000 purchase at the sales," Hanson said.
The win took Tricky Mikki's earnings to more than $66,000.
Bingley, who rode her first double last week, repeated the dose when General Assembly, fresh off a successful Melbourne visit, made a one-act affair of the 1600m BM68 Hcp.
Bingley gave a perfect front-running display, and it was obvious a long way from home that General Assembly ($4) had his rivals beaten.
The Angela Brakey-trained galloper has now won six of his 16 starts and took his stake earnings to $115,000.
"I put a tongue control bit on him tonight, and I told Lauryn if he wanted to go, just let him go," Brakey said.
"He's a horse that just wants to run, and we learn about him all the time. On the trip away, we learnt a lot, so hopefully, going forward, we have the recipe right."
Thespian still learning how to act
Punters had little concern that Thespian Waters was jumping from a Class 1 to a Class 4 and backed him to start the $2.10 favourite. They also had little cause for concern with the 3YO making it back-to-back wins.
Ridden by dual licence holder Siggy Carr, who also trains the gelding, Thespian Waters came from fourth around the home turn to win by a half neck, withstanding a late finishing burst from Better Than Banksy.
"Super effort jumping from a Class 1 to a Class 4 just proves his ability.
"He just tracked up so strongly around the turn, and I was really excited to let him go and then he gets to front, and he waits, so he's still got a lot to learn, but what an effort to comeback in distance and to jump up in grade, so I'm really pleased with him," Carr said.
Thespian Waters has now raced 10 times for three wins and five placings.
A tribute to the trainer
Despite some throat issues that impair his breathing, Just A Tribute was way too good for his rivals in the 1400m Open Hcp in Launceston on Wednesday night.
The 6YO has been in great form of late, and even though his rider, Anthony Darmanin, took off a long way from home, Just A Tribute ($4.60) was too strong, continuing a winning run for trainer Gary White.
"The type of weight he carries and hit the line, he's just a marvel," White said.
"His air supply is obviously impeded, and he still does what he does; he's just a freak."
White is unsure of plans for Just A Tribute, with the veteran Hall Of Fame trainer on the verge of retirement.
