3 minute read

One of Tasmania’s star mares Deroche returned to racing with a game win in the Birdcage Tavern Handicap (open) over 1150m on her home track in Devonport on Sunday.

In Brief

• Game win by talented mare.
• Interstate trip a possibility for Deroche.
• Our Little Ted being aimed at Goodwood.

Deroche surprisingly drifted in the betting from an unbackable quote when markets opened to start the $1.40 favourite in a three-horse field.

The punters were close to the mark as she faded over the concluding stages to score narrowly from Our Little Ted that was heavily backed in to start the solid second-elect at $3.40, firming from $5.50 after scratchings on race morning.

Last season's top apprentice Codi Jordan fired Deroche out of the gates to lead by four lengths after travelling 300 metres, but she reined the Barry Campbell-trained mare in and steadied her heading to the home turn.

Deroche kicked clear at the top of the straight, but the other pair started to close over the final 100 metres with the mare hanging on to win by a neck from Our Little Ted.

It was Deroche's first start since finishing second to Still A Star in last season's Vamos Stakes in late February.

Campbell said before his mare contested last Sunday's race that he was looking at a benchmark 90 at Sandown (Melbourne) in three weeks that might be a nice second-up assignment for Deroche.

Our Little Ted proved he could be up to some of the better sprint races this season.

"I was very happy with Ted's effort today and we were all getting a bit excited close to home, but the mare was just too good on the day," Thompson said.

"We will have a look at the Goodwood Handicap and go from there, but he has definitely proved he can match it with the some of the good ones.

"He will have two weeks off in the paddock and we'll bring him back for a first-up tilt at the Goodwood in Hobart in mid-November."