Powered by Todd Rattray, Gordons Bay ($26) sat in midfield from the second row. The Captain treacherous The gelding worked once near the 500m mark before finding clear space deeper on the track turning home to finish on top for a 1.67m win over Maebee ($5), with Keayang Fitzy ($16) half a head away in third.
A fast first quarter was set by the leaders in 26.7 seconds, with splits of 30.1 seconds, 29.1 seconds and 29.5 seconds, with the mile time being 1:55.4 seconds.
At $26, Gordons Bay’s victory was a disappointment for punters, but not for trainer Charlie Castles.
“I wasn’t surprised, he went pretty well on time in that fast 2200m free for all in the last start at Launceston, and he came home as well as anyone, so we knew he was doing well and he needed the right ride, and that’s exactly what Todd (Rattray) gave him.
“He’s a high judge, so we’ll just have to keep finding races for him. There are some good races coming up, and he’ll have to race in some grandstands, but we’ll just pick them as they come along with him.”
Gordons Bay was sold about six months ago by his connections in New South Wales and is played by Peter Cooley and Paul Dolden.
Cooley has won many awards, including Tasmanian harness racing’s highest award, the Edgar Tatlow Medal in 2002. He has been an administrator, was inducted into the Tasmanian Harness Hall of Fame in 2014 and was awarded the Order of Australia for services to the industry in 2016. Earlier this year he ended a long association with The Mercury Newspaper, which had provided a variety of content since the 1960s.
Another highlight of Sunday’s Hobart card took place in the opening matchwon by the two-year-old filly Jillstiger ($5).
The victory was important for trainer Kent Rattray, his 250th since obtaining his trainer’s license in the 1990/91 season.
For full race results, click here.
Through Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
#Gordons #Bay #shocks #Hobart