John Blacker celebrated his second consecutive Tasmanian trainers’ premiership in style when recent acquisition Wineglass Bay stormed home to take last Sunday’s Hobart feature, the $45,000 Aviso TAS Insurance Brokers Open Handicap (1430m).
The former Chris Waller rep settled worse than midfield under stable apprentice Jackson Radley before launching down the outside, leaving several smart sprinters in his wake to remain unbeaten from three local outings.
The win gave Radley a double at the meeting as he was earlier successful aboard the Imogen Miller-prepared Rainbow Alley, who overcame a wide draw to clear maiden ranks over 1200 metres second up from a break.
Blacker prepared 82 winners for the season, well clear of Glenn Stevenson on 44, while Radley took the leading apprentice title with 51 wins ahead of Chloe Wells and Lauryn Bingley, who each notched 43 victories.
It’s the first time in recent memory that a trainer and his apprentice have secured titles in the same season.
In other news, Wells has had her indentures transferred to former Launcestonian and now leading Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote. She had five rides at Doomben on Wednesday but unfortunately failed to register a placing.
Anthony Darmanin secured his second consecutive jockeys’ premiership with 68 wins and was also in the winner’s circle at Hobart after scoring aboard the John Keys-trained Furneaux in the benchmark 68 handicap over 1200 metres.
The gelded son of Palentino failed to fire on the Devonport synthetic at his previous start but relished the return to turf and now has two two wins from three outings on heavy going.
Do believe the Hype
Elsewhere, Tasmanian professional polo player Aiden Nunn made it back-to-back wins in the $150,000 Mackay Cup with his stable star Hype last Saturday.
The gelded son of Siyouni settled midfield on the rail under Ryan Wiggins and always travelled strongly.
Once angled to the outside in the home straight he let down strongly for a comfortable win in the 2000-metre feature.