Not many gallopers go from clearing maiden ranks to winning a Class 1 at their next outing but that’s exactly what Barry Campbell’s promising charge Pennstock did at Launceston on Wednesday night and he did it impressively.
The Hinchinbrook gelding went back to the tail from his wide draw under top hoop Craig Newitt but was looming large on straightening and went on for a soft victory in the colts-and-geldings Class 1 handicap over 1400 metres.
The lightly raced three-year-old will now likely head towards the Tasmanian and Hobart Guineas but Campbell expects Pennstock will be at his best over a staying trip, with the Tasmanian Derby (2100m) his ultimate goal.
Stuart Gandy and his apprentice Amirul Ismadi took the honours at Wednesday night’s meeting with a brace of wins apiece.
They combined for their first success, with Gee Gee Rich Ruby leading throughout for a comfortable 1½-length win in the BM58 handicap over 1200 metres.
Ismadi made it a running double when taking the BM72 handicap over 1600 metres on the Rodney Seymour-trained Geegees Brightstar.
The Singaporean tracked short-priced favourite Earl Da Vinci throughout before making his move on the home turn.
Seymour’s Wordsmith gelding quickly got his head in front and, while the fave gave a kick, he was unable to peg back the margin (despite a 3kg pull in the weights), Ismadi’s mount scoring by a half-length.
Ismadi, a dual Group 1 winner in his home country, is on loan to Gandy for three months and Wednesday night’s double took his Tasmanian tally to four wins.
Gandy completed his double with speedy mare Galeocerdo, who was untroubled leading throughout in the BM68 handicap over 1100 metres under Siggy Carr to notch her third successive win.