Kelvin Sanderson was on fire early when Tassie racing returned to the Devonport synthetic on Monday, bagging the first two winners on the card.
He kicked off aboard Barry Campbell’s stable newcomer Rippington, who led before cruising to a soft fove-length maiden win over 1350 metres at his local debut.
The gelded son of Written By had been well held in five runs for Chris Waller but was confidently backed on Monday, firming from $3.90 to start the $2.80 race favourite.
Sanderson’s second win wasn’t as well fancied and the margin was much smaller with the Dylan Clark-prepared debutant Just Plain Nuts scraping home at $51 in the maiden plate over 1009 metres in a deceptive photo finish.
The Divine Prophet gelding raced on speed throughout but appeared to be nabbed on the line by runner-up Strato Ken and then had to survive a protest from that galloper.
Campbell also went on to complete a double with another former Waller rep, Hartman, who led throughout under Chloe Wells in the benchmark 68 handicap over 1350 metres.
The gelded son of Exceed And Excel has now won three of seven Tasmanian appearances and has only failed to earn a cheque once.
Elsewhere on the card The John Luttrell-trained Zoete’s Rock enhanced his already strong record over the Devonport 1150 metres by taking the benchmark 60 handicap over that route.
The Impending gelding box-seated under Bulent Muhcu before wearing down pacemakers Fluffy’s Girl and Billie The Great in the concluding stages.
The four-year-old has now had six starts over Monday’s course for three wins and two minor placings.