Ciaron Maher had success with his first runner to venture south for the Tasmanian summer carnival when up-and-coming stayer Dad And Dave took the $125,000 listed Launceston Guineas (2000m) at that track on Wednesday night.
The gelded son of Time Test had scored a dominant maiden win at Kyneton when out to 1856 metres at his third attempt and relished the further rise in trip.
After settling rearward in the small six-horse field under Eoin Walsh he appeared to hit a flat spot when the tempo quickened approaching the home turn but once balanced up in the straight finished off hard to defeat top local filly Crack The Shutters.
Maher will also have representation at Hobart on Sunday, with tough on-pacer Ziryab likely to start favourite in the weight-for-age $100,000 Summer Cup (2200m).
Keys, Kennedy on song
John Keys and Victorian apprentice Sam Kennedy took the honours at Launceston, combining for a trio of wins.
They opened their account with Goddess Of Rock, who settled at the tail before tracking short-priced favourite Daytona Diva into the race and proving too strong for that promising filly in the drive to the line for the Class 3 handicap over 1600 metres.
Keys and Kennedy made it a double in contrasting fashion, Johnnie Pinch leading all the way for a comfortable 2½-length win over stablemate Iffycould in the benchmark 60 handicap over 2100 metres.
The duo completed their treble with Nicco The Greek, who took the benchmark 68 handicap over 1400 metres at surprisingly healthy odds ($10).
The gelded son of Nicconi was never likely when resuming over 1100 metres but settled closer in running up in trip on Wednesday night before digging deep to withstand the late surge of race favourite Agnete.