Kelvin Sanderson was the standout performer at last Friday night’s Launceston meeting with a trio of victors.
He opened his account aboard the Stuart Gandy-trained Sh’bourne Hiflyer, who defied a noted drift in betting ($6-$13) with a hard-finishing win in the maiden plate over 1420 metres.
The win gave Gandy an early double as he’d also taken the 1120-metre maiden plate with Vabuiagi, who proved too strong after box-seating under Anthony Darmanin.
Sanderson combined with Monica Ryan for his second success, Mastretta leading and fending off all challengers in the benchmark 68 handicap over 1220 metres.
The daughter of Grunt had led and given a good sight in open company the week prior and punters noted the drop in grade, backing her in from $2.60 to $1.90.
Sanderson then made it a running double on Liam Beamish’s in-form mare Henley Extreme, who proved 2150 metres wasn’t a problem in scoring a dominant 5½-length win over her benchmark 68 rivals.
State’s best lock horns
Smart Tassie mares Geegees Mistruth and Swift Force will clash for the first time when they tackle the $240,000 Group 3 Asahi Super Dry Sprint at Flemington on Saturday.
The Mark Walker-trained Mistruth was sound in Group 1 company at her first two runs this prep before missing the kick and failing to feature back to listed level third up.
Blake Shinn steps off her to partner the Mick Price and Michael Kent junior-prepared Naifah. Mistruth will instead be partnered by Cox Plate-winning hoop Willie Pike.
John Keys’s speedster Swift Force will have the services of her usual pilot, Craig Newitt. She was only worn down late after leading first up at Caulfield on October 14.
She faces her acid test but has only missed the quinella once in seven appearances and is sure to be in it for a long way.