Driver Rohan Hillier took the Conor Crook-trained pacer straight into the lead and was involved in a quick lead of 41.5 seconds before losing out to Star Major ($3 favorite) in the 1500 metres.
Star Major’s driver Todd Rattray had his pacer bowling in quarters of 29.2 seconds, 28.9 seconds and 28.5 seconds before being beaten late on by Glenledi Elvis in a final quarter of 28.3 seconds, with half a neck separating the pair. Vanquish Stride ($13) was 21 feet away in third place.
The kilometer speed of 1:54.4s took 1.1s off the previous record set by Waterfront in October last year, with Star Major’s individual time also breaking that record.
Glenledi Elvis became the fourth horse to break the 2200m track record since Lanercost ran a time of 1:57.3 in 2010.
“He’s a bit of an enigma. I really liked him, and this time last year he was chairman and won the Golden Apple, and I thought he was the best horse I’d ever trained, and then he went a bit missing and was a bit hard to catch,” said trainer Conor Crook.
“Rohan (Hillier) rode him well and had a good ride, and he was back to his best, which was good.
“Hopefully he’s back and he can keep up his form, because when he’s good he’s really good, and when he’s honest he’s only honest.”
The pacer was checked and then broke in his heat of the Golden Apple last week, missing out on a place in Saturday night’s final.
Glenledi Elvis’ victory completed a double for the Crook stable, with former Victorian Ozzie Corka ($5.5) winning on his Tasmanian debut in the Find us on Facebook and Instagram Tempo (2200m).
The castrated son of Rock N Roll Heaven was quickly cleared off the pegs from the inside of the second row by driver Jordan Chibnall, before finding the lead in the 1500 meters midway through the race.
Chibnall set foot in the 500 meters and scored with 14.9 meters in 1:57.9 seconds.
“After his work at home he seems like a nice horse.
“Eric (Anderson, owner) said they always really liked him, but he never took his track work to the races, so hopefully he’ll continue with it now,” Crook said.
The double for Crook in Launceston on Sunday followed a double in Hobart on Friday evening.
For full race results, click here.
Through Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
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