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The decision by the owners of King Island galloper Rising Hsiang to test the gelding out on the mainland has paid big dividends with the gelded son of Reward for Effort scoring an emphatic win in a Class 1 Handicap over 1100m in Devonport on Sunday.
Rising Hsiang, owned by King Island couple Ron and Joy Crack, gave a glimpse of things to come when he flashed home for second in Launceston on Good Friday at his first start for Wesley Vale trainer Glenn Stevenson.
Punters came late for the gelding on Sunday, firming from $4.20 to start the $3 second elect behind Blushed (2.70 favourite).
Blushed had enjoyed the run of the race on the back of the leader Fun 'N' Frolic ($7.50).
Stable apprentice Codi Jordan had Rising Hsiang settled midfield but travelling on a tight rein and when they reached the home turn, she allowed the gelding more rein and he was the only one you wanted to be on.
Rising Hsiang hauled in the leaders and went on to win by over two lengths from Gee Gees Teardrop ($3.70) that loomed to win halfway up the home straight while Blushed edged out Fun 'N' Frolic for the minor prize.
"On this horse's trackwork you wouldn't back him with Monopoly money but so far he has done a great job on race day," Stevenson said.
"His first run for us was terrific but based on his trackwork I thought he would either run last or win and thankfully it was the latter.
"Some of these King Island horses thrive on being worked every day and I think this horse is one of those that appreciates it.
"On his two runs for the stable you would think there are more wins for him this prep.
"Now that we know he handles the synthetic track we'll look for a race over 1100-1150m in a couple of weeks."
Rising Hsiang arrived in Stevenson's stable having won four and placed a dozen times from 26 starts on King Island for his owner-trainer Ron Crack.
The Cracks had another handy galloper with Stevenson in Mr America that won six on the island before transferring to Stevenson who prepared the sprinter-miler to win another six.
Stevenson ended the day with a double courtesy of his gallant grey Lesnar winning a Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1350m.
The win made up for the gelding losing a race on protest in Launceston on Good Friday.
Lesnar (Daniel Ganderton) shortened up to start the $1.80 favourite.
After enjoying the run of the race on the back of the leader Gee Gees Cricket, the grey gelding burst clear in the straight.
The gelding then staved off a determined challenge from three-year-old filly Azara.
Lesnar had to survive a protest lodged by the rider of the runner-up, Georgie Catania, claiming interference over the concluding stages but the objection was quickly dismissed.
