The Glenn Stevenson-trained I’m Wesley continued his rapid rise through the grades at Launceston on Wednesday night when he beat reigning Tasmanian horse of the year and short-priced fave Hellova Street in the listed $100,000 Conquering Stakes (1400m) at weight-for-age.
The I Am Invincible gelding was given a perfect trail throughout under regular hoop Raquel Clark behind the favourite, who was surprisingly taken on in front by his Scott Brunton-prepared stablemate Box of Frogs.
With the front pair under pressure on the home turn it was clear Clark’s mount was travelling much the better and he quickly gathered them in before cruising to a sixth successive win.
It was the second successive stakes win for Stevenson’s charge, who had taken the Newmarket Handicap at the same track three weeks earlier.
The night’s other feature, the $50,000 3YO Cup (1200m), went to Royston Carr’s lightly raced charge Mister Songman, who proved he was the real deal in defeating some of the state’s best three-year-olds.
The Your Song gelding box-seated under Troy Baker and travelled kindly throughout before running down pacemaker Gee Gee Lanett (who had booted clear on straightening) despite being inclined to lay in.
It was the third win from four outings for Carr’s charge, who despite being untried beyond 1200 metres gives the impression he will be even better suited over longer trips, with the lListed Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) looming as a likely target.
Barry Campbell and Damien Thornton were the standout performers at the meeting, combining for a treble.
They kicked off with progressive stayer Moorcroft, who took the maiden/Class 1 plate over 2100 metres despite racing three wide without cover throughout.
Their second win came via super-honest conveyance Fragment, who scored a strong on-pace win in the Class 3 handicap over 1200 metres.
The Churchill Downs gelding has now won at four of his nine attempts and placed on the other five occasions.
Campbell and Thornton later combined to take the last, a benchmark 62 handicap over 1600 metres, with Axion.
The ex-NSW Lonhro gelding has also been super-consistent for his new stable, having missed a place just once from eight local runs — and that was an unlucky fourth.