John Blacker’s super honest charge Blaze Forth broke through for a much deserved second victory of his campaign when taking Wednesday night’s feature event at Launceston, a $20,000 open handicap over 1220 metres.
The Court Command gelding enjoyed a box-seat trail under Jason Benbow before finishing off hard over the concluding stages to wear down favourite Life on the Wire, who gave a good sight after racing outside the leader.
Blacker’s charge had earned a cheque at his previous eight runs this term, proving competitive with such stars as Mystic Journey, Hellova Street and I’m Wesley in the state’s feature sprints over the summer, but had won just one other race in that period.
Brendon McCoull and Troy Baker shared riding honours at the meeting with a double apiece.
McCoull kicked off in the night’s opener, a benchmark 64 handicap over 1420 metres, aboard the Bill Ryan-trained Sentimental Dream.
McCoull gave the Telesto (USA) gelding a good trail just off the pace before hooking to the outside of the leaders just prior to the home turn. The lightly raced seven-year-old then let down strongly to score by a length.
The 14-time Tasmanian premiership winner later combined with Team Wells for victory in the open-age maiden plate over 1220 metres with debutant Gee Gee True Story.
The Wordsmith gelding was also given a good trail better than midfield by McCoull before racing clear for an impressive 2½-length victory.  
The win provided Team Wells with the first leg of a running double as they also took the maiden/Class 1 plate over 1420 metres with Gee Gees Bulldog, who ran on strongly from midfield for a comfortable win under Daniel Ganderton. 
It was a well deserved first win for the Clangalang gelding, who had placed at four of his previous five runs this time in work. 
Baker opened his account aboard the Stuart Gandy-prepared Fitzwilliam, who led throughout for a super-impressive 10-length win in the two-year-old maiden plate over 1120 metres.
He later scored on the Royston Carr-trained Alfred Street, who made it two wins from just three appearances when taking the Class 1 handicap over 1420 metres.