3 minute read

While the bigger stables may dominate the Easter Monday program in Devonport, trainer Terry Evans will make the long trip hoping for success with the one horse he is taking to the track.

It will be a long day for Evans, his horse Etosha, is contesting the last race of the day making it a late finish by the time he returns to his Brighton stables.

Etosha is one of six horses Evans has in work and is a winner of two races from 15 starts. One of those wins was in Devonport, in May last year over the same distance as Monday's race (1009m).

"It's the last race and it's a long way to go but he likes the track.

"It's hard to get races to suit him, he doesn't go much further than 1000m, but I think we've got a pretty fair chance," Evans said.

"It's only a small field so that should help a bit too."

Mehmet Ulucinar will ride Etosha, he was also aboard at his last win 11 months ago in Devonport when he stepped straight to the front and led all the way. On that occasion the winning margin was almost three lengths.

"He's only won two races but he usually earns a cheque, he's generally not too far away and he gives us a bit of a thrill to see if he can hang on or not."

While you won't find Evans anywhere near the top of the trainers premiership, he is widely respected and has enjoyed plenty of success over the years.

Last season he was 16th on the Tasmanian trainers table with seven winners from just 53 starters at the very healthy strike rate of 13.20%. Scott Brunton who won the premiership had a winning strike rate of 13.40%.

Evans' best horse was Noble Sensation who won nine races and almost $230,00 in prize money. His wins included the 1999 Gold Sovereign as a 2YO and the WFA Thomas Lyons and George Adams Stakes later in his career.

In more recent times Concrete Johnny won nine races from 30 starts for the stable and Hellova Night is a handy galloper and last start Hobart winner.

While it will be an early start and a late finish for the veteran trainer on Monday, there's no doubt Evans will be back at the stables first thing Tuesday morning, caring for his small team, readying them for their next assignment, and who knows, there might even be a few extra dollars in the pocket and a spring in his step…..

This is the first meeting on the Tapeta surface since Devonport Cup Day in early January, looking for a best bet on the card, I like Katzenjammer in race 3. He hasn't been far away at his past couple of runs, he is trained at the track and has won at the track and distance.

The first of seven races on Easter Monday is scheduled for 13:09 with coverage on Sky Channel and TasracingTV.