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Champion jockey Craig Newitt took bad luck from the equation by running to the front on Native Clan ($1.95) in the $50,000 Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Sires Produce (1400m) in Hobart on Sunday.
It was only a field of four, but nobody wanted the early lead until Newitt kicked up on the filly who has now won her past two starts. From then on, Newitt dictated terms, kicking away at the top of the straight to win by more than two lengths from Garçon D'espoir ($2.90) with Lady Fern ($4) more than five lengths away third.
The winner is Zululand x Clan McLeod, who comes from a winning family.
"There's Happy Clan, Rich Clan, this one, Clan McLeod. It's been a family that's kept him (trainer John Keys) well-fed for a long time," Scott Brunton from the Keys stable said.
"Johnny's got the touch when it comes to 2yos. His instructions are simple: just keep them happy and fit and not overgallop them. Hats off to him; it's a great result."
Brunton predicts Native Clan will be a handy staying filly as a 3YO.
Gigolo still on callConnections believe Travelling Gigolo ($1.65) is still capable of winning a Hobart Cup and that will be their target next summer. The 6YO won his seventh race when he scored a narrow victory in the BM76 (2200m).
Ridden perfectly by apprentice Lauryn Bingley, Travelling Gigolo looked to have his opposition covered coming to the home turn but had to dig deep to down his stablemate Yarra Master ($3.90) by a short half head with Page ($12) coming from last to run third.
The win completed a race-to-race double for trainer John Keys.
"He's much better on a dry track, and he's a much better-seasoned horse over the summer; we think he's still capable of winning a Hobart Cup, and we're keen to try again next year." Scott Brunton said.
"He took a bit of riding, and he did get into a nice spot, but he was the best horse in the race, and he hit the line well," Bingley said.
Keys unlocks a big dayFreak On A Lead made it three for the day for Keys when 4kg apprentice Rocky Morimoto, fresh from celebrating his first winner a few weeks back, rode a heady race to land the prize.
From a wide alley, Morimoto had no hesitation in sending the 6YO to the lead; he rated Freak On A Lead ($6.50 -$11) perfectly, racing clear around the home turn and running home his last 600m in 35.65 seconds, giving nothing else a chance.
The winners kept on coming for Keys with Sweet Lucifer ($4.20) getting home strongly to snatch victory in the BM66 (1200m).
With a hot speed, Sweet Lucifer came from worse than midfield to down leader Etosha ($3), with Fighting Floyd ($26) coming from last to finish third.
"I reckon he's a really good horse. He's finding his groove slowly, and he's got a great attitude. He still wears a crossover (noseband), but eventually, with his attitude, he won't have to wear that gear, and if we can get him to relax, I reckon he will be an open-class horse," Brunton said.
