3 minute read
No Tasmanian stable is more in-form than that of Wesley Vale-based trainer Glenn Stevenson.
With 14 winners from his last 50 runners, Glenn Stevenson's hot run has resulted in him shooting to the top of the state's premiership table with 25 wins, two clear of John Blacker in second place.
Following on from a treble at the Tasmanian Stakes meeting in Hobart last Friday, where he took out the feature race with First Accused, Stevenson is aiming for more black-type success when he lines up with Just Cruisin' in the $125,000 Listed Ladbrokes Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) in Hobart on Friday afternoon.
The gelded son of Street Boss and Reve De Victoire, takes a different path to the three-year-old feature to most of the locals who competed in the 3YO Trophy over 1400m in Launceston on 13 December.
Following a maiden win on the 3YO Trophy program, Just Cruisin' raced out of his grade in Devonport on 22 December when comfortably winning a class 2 (1350m).
"He's come on since that win in Devonport.
"He should land in a nice spot; Daniel (Ganderton, jockey) has drawn to be not too far off them," said the trainer.
"I think greenness is still a concern for him. We wouldn't want to be hitting the front too soon but I think Daniel is the right person to be riding the horse," added the trainer, with Ganderton being aboard the horse for all three career starts.
If successful, it would be a second Tasmanian Guineas for Ganderton, who tasted success in 2022 with Alpine Wolf.
"Daniel's been all over the form, and I think he's pretty confident we can win it."
Bookmakers have rated Just Cruisin' a $6.50 chance, with 3YO Trophy winner D'oro Star as favourite at $2.70, followed by the Patrick Payne-trained Wings of Song at $3.90.
Stevenson is poised to play a strong role in Friday afternoon's quaddie, with the progressive Charlie Bucket a warm favourite in the BM72 over 1600m (race 7).
"He had a straightforward operation to remove a small chip, which was why he hadn't raced for so long.
"He's bred to get 2100 metres or more, but our plan going in wasn't to look much further than these first two races and see how he pulls up," said Stevenson.
After Friday's program, Stevenson will quickly set his sights on next Wednesday's $125,000 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup, where he will saddle up Ashy Boy, with Craig Newitt to retain the ride following his impressive Brighton Cup win last Friday.
"He pulled up enormous from Hobart.
"There looks like six really good chances, but we're in the mix, and I think barriers will be really important."
