Leading trainer Scott Brunton has eyes on the Devonport Cup with lightly raced five-year-old Flying Cruiser, who remains unbeaten after two runs this prep after taking a benchmark 62 handicap over 1600m at Launceston on Wednesday night.
The gelded son of Lucky Owners had stormed home from the tail of the field to score over 1400 metres first up at Hobart, where the track favoured swoopers.
However, with the rise to the mile, apprentice Boris Thornton was able to settle much closer in running. After finding the front on straightening Flying Cruiser never looked in danger of defeat in the run to the line.
He has now notched four wins and five placings from just 15 outings.
The win provided Brunton with a double as he was earlier successful with stable newcomer By Order, who came from midfield to take out the Class 1 handicap over 1200 metres under David Pires.
Despite having won his only local trial comfortably the Commands gelding started at the surprisingly good price of $8.50.
Pires also notched a double at the meeting having taken the first, a Class 2 handicap over 1400 metres, on Tegan Keys’s charge Don’t We Love It, who was able to lead throughout.
Bulent Muhcu shared riding honours with Pires, also bagging a pair of winners.
He opened his account aboard the Michael Trinder-trained Claiborne King, who was able to come from just off the pace to take the colts, geldings and entires maiden plate over 1200 metres at just his second career outing.
Muhcu later teamed with Stowport trainer Shirley Berger to guide her 2014 Devonport Cup winner Red Eagle to success in the benchmark 82 handicap over 1200 metres at his second run back from a spell.
Another highlight at Launceston was the balance displayed by 15-year-old apprentice Kyle Maskiell in the final event, a benchmark 72 handicap over 2100 metres.
Maskiell, aboard the John Blacker-trained Bitter Dan, was forced to check off heels as the field passed the winning post on the first occasion, the junior doing an excellent job to remain on his mount.
After regaining his composure he guided the gelded son of Danbird to a last-stride victory.