Like most Tasmanian racing fans and industry participants I was shocked to hear of Sky Channel’s decision to make one of the nation’s most respected callers, Colin McNiff, redundant last week.
McNiff, who called his 35th consecutive Hobart Cup in February, had a passion for Tasmanian racing which was evidenced in his calls and it is unfortunate he wasn’t afforded the chance to call a final meeting at Devonport on Sunday to be given a fitting sendoff for his years of dedication.
Glenn Stevenson and Codi Jordan shared honours at Tasmania’s first meeting of the post-McNiff era, each bagging a trio of victors.
They combined for their first success with debutante Onlyforaminute launching late to nail heavily backed fellow first-starter Roundle Park, who had looked set for victory in the two-year-olds’ maiden plate over 1150 metres.
Jordan then made it a double on the Bradley Franklin-prepared roughie Margie ($26), who was untroubled leading throughout in the Class 1 handicap over the same trip.
The win was also the first leg of a double for Franklin, who later took the benchmark 60 handicap over 1009 metres with Miss Keeds, the four-year-old Akeed Mofeed mare proving too strong after box-seating under David Pires.
Jordan completed her treble aboard the Rowan Hamer-trained Mohnar, who also enjoyed a gun run in transit before taking the maiden/Class 1 plate over 1650 metres.
Stevenson’s second win came via progressive former Victorian Spring Bean, who notched his second dominant win from as many runs this term in the Class 4 handicap over 1350 metres under Anthony Darmanin.
The former Ben O’Farrell rep has now won four of seven Tasmanian appearances and placed on another two occasions.
Up-and-coming stayer Es And Es completed Stevenson’s treble, wearing down pacemaker Fashion Fox in the concluding stages of the 1880-metre benchmark 66 handicap under the urgings of in-form apprentice Christopher Pang.

Stevenson will be hoping his strong run of form continues at Caulfield on Saturday when his stable star First Accused tackles the Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap over 1400 metres.

Last season's Tasmanian horse of the year scored a narrow, tough win off a freshen and will only be improved but will need luck from gate 12 in a 16-horse field and is currently rated a $26 chance.