The Hobart Cup had been the only feature Tasmanian race to elude the Trinder family but that changed last Sunday with much improved mare Toorak Affair taking the Group 3 $250,000 event.
The daughter of Toorak Toff enjoyed a nice trail just off the pace under Anthony Darmanin before looming large on straightening and going on for a 1½-length win over fellow Tasmanian mares Shady Hustle and Glass Warrior. 
The six-year-old mare began her career with Troy Blacker and always showed ability, winning five of her first 25 appearances, but has gone to another level under Michael Trinder’s care, winning seven of her 10 outings for the veteran Spreyton conditioner.
The 70-year-old had a cancer scare early last year but has fully recovered and rides Toorak Affair in all her trackwork.
Elsewhere on the program Scott Brunton’s rising star Mandela Effect enhanced his claims for a birth in the All-Star Mile with a soft win in the listed $100,000 Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) — the same race Mystic Journey won on her way to taking the inaugural running of the world’s richest 1600-metre event.
The Turffontein gelding has now put together back-to-back stakes wins and Brunton is sure he’ll prove very competitive in the All-Star Mile provided he gains enough votes to gain a start.
Top local fillies Still a Star and Mystical Pursuit fought out a thrilling finish in the listed $100,000 Strutt Stakes (2100m) with Still a Star holding on for the narrowest of victories after racing on pace throughout under Brendon McCoull.
The other feature on the program, the Group 3 $150,000 Bow Mistress Stakes, went to the Hayes and Dabernig-trained Zargos, who finished off strongly from midfield under Blaike McDougall. Local filly Deroche looked a good thing beaten after being badly held up in the home straight.
The mainlanders’ success continued at Launceston on Wednesday night with the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Jyoti taking Tasmania’s major juvenile event, the $150,000 Gold Sovereign Stakes over 1200 metres.
The daughter of Akeed Mofeed had notched a win and a second after racing on pace at her first two appearances in Adelaide.
Again she took up a prominent position under Jamie Kah on Wednesday night, sitting just off the pace before taking the front on the home turn.
Challengers emerged quickly but Kah’s mount dug deep to hold her rivals at bay and record a determined victory.