Young Victorian hoop Jett Stanley notched the biggest win of his career on Wednesday, taking the $250,000 Group 3 Launceston Cup (2400m) aboard the Glenn Stevenson-trained Asva.
The gelded son of Capitalist faded from on pace in the Hobart Cup at his previous outing but benefited from a quieter ride this time.
He was able to settle a little worse than midfield before joining the three-wide running line at the 800-metre mark and looming large prior to the home turn. He raced clear at the top of the straight, holding off fast-finishing fellow locals Zulu Angel and Distrustful Award.
Asva has stamped himself as arguably the best stayer in Tasmania this summer, with Wednesday’s success following on from wins in the Brighton and Devonport cups.
His win provided Stevenson with a treble at the meeting. He won earlier with Who’s In Dev, who led throughout under Codi Jordan to clear maiden ranks over 1400 metres, and Agnete, who came from the rear to take the Class 4 handicap over the same trip with Craig Newitt in the saddle.
Newitt also had feature success on boom filly Sanniya, who dispelled any doubts on her ability to run 1400 metres with another brilliant display of sustained speed, leading throughout in the $150,000 Group 3 Vamos Stakes.
The daughter of Stratosphere has now won seven from eight appearances and was runner-up on the other occasion.
Mainlanders struck in the other stakes race on the card, the $150,000 Hellova Street Stakes, with Steparty following his drought-breaking win in the Thomas Lyons with a soft victory.
After settling at the rear under John Allen, the Paul Preusker-prepared Artie Schiller gelding showed a neat turn of foot to reel his rivals in and score by three-quarters of a length.
John Keys trained the other two feature winners, headed by former Ciaron Maher rep Perspiration, who also came from the back to take the $50,000 Royal Rambo over 1200 metres under Luke Currie.
Stablemate Swift Force took the $125,000 3YO Classic over the same trip in contrasting fashion, leading throughout under Newitt.
The daughter of Magnus appears to have a very bright future, with her only defeat from four outings thus far coming at the hands of Perspiration in the three- and four-year old Magic Millions Classic at her previous outing, where she was only worn down late.