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A superior staying performance saw former Kiwi Home By Midnight carry topweight and draw away for an easy win in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup (2400m) on Wednesday.

Jockey Billy Egan produced a special ride, finding a place on the fence after jumping from barrier 11 and giving Home By Midnight ($11) every chance in the run.
The horse did the rest, cruising past leader and eventual runner up Taikomochi ($5.50) on the turn and coming clear to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths with Dogmatic ($9.50) third.
The effort was an improvement on Home By Midnight's midfield finish in the Hobart Cup but he had headed to Tasmania after back-to-back seconds at Caulfield for Victorian trainer Patrick Payne.
Stable representative Joe O'Neill said the Hobart hitout had topped Home By Midnight off perfectly for his Mowbray assignment.
"He's won good races in New Zealand, he's a very good stayer," O'Neill said.
"Patrick's a great trainer of any horse but he's a master trainer of stayers, he gets them fit."
O'Neill also praised another member of the team.
"Tahlia Hope deserves a mention, she's been over here looking after the horse and done a terrific job."
Egan was also quick to compliment Hope and said the win was a thrill.
"It was such a team effort by everyone and I'm really proud of Tahlia for what she's done with the horse so it's something to celebrate today I think."