3 minute read

Bold Soul wins the Tasmanian Derby.

Victorian trainer Patrick Payne is making the Tasmanian Derby his own, winning the classic for the third consecutive year in Hobart on Friday.

The short-priced favourite Bold Soul ($1.45) hooked out wide and looked set for an easy win at the top of the straight but was forced to work overtime by runner-up Gold Wolf ($19 – $11) and at the finish, there was just a short head between the two.

"He had to dig deep, but he got there, and that's all that matters," Michelle Payne said, representing her brother.

"He probably doesn't help himself in the way he missed the start and gets a little bit keen, but he switched off halfway through the race and was able to get to the outside, and it was nice to see him get over the line in front."

Payne's previous winners were The Nephew in 2022 and Dunkel last year.

The Devonport Cup winning duo of Glenn Stevenson and Craig Newitt were off to a flier on Derby Day with consistent filly Hypercube breaking through for her first win in the 1100m maiden.

From the outside gate, Newitt was able to get a three-wide trailing position, and from midfield, Hypercube ($6.50) rattled home to grab the lead in the shadows of the post, beating Batchy Bullet ($9) and the well-supported debutant In The Ocean, ($6.50- $2.90).

"She's always been a trier, but we've had some trouble with her breathing; one day, she will pull up gurgling; the next day, she gallops good, but she's always shown she wants to try," Stevenson said.

Punters were on target when Lordosis landed some good bets in the 1200m class 1.

Backed from $4.60 to $2.70 before easing to start at $3.20, Lordosis was caught three-wide early but got cover when Tricky Mikki, who was over racing, popped out to give the favourite a trail.

Ridden by Jason Maskiell, Lordosis got home by a long neck from Spinhof ($16) with Tricky Mikki ($13) a long neck away third.

"I was pretty lucky when the horse that was over racing popped out in front of me and gave us cover, and we tracked up nicely.

"I was confident a long way out that I had them covered, but he doesn't know how to put them away yet, but once he learns, he's going to be a nice horse," the winning rider said.

Keys quickly made it a double for the day when Hellot made it back-to-back wins in Hobart, taking out the BM60 (1600m).

Hellot scored a surprise win first-up from a spell on 21 January, but this time he was well in the market, starting the second favourite ($5.50).

"Nice patient ride from 'Darma', and he got the luck today too, and he's getting to the right age, knows what he's doing now," Keys said.

Keys also trained the runner-up, the heavily backed Dantes ($2.30 -$1.80) but he was badly held up at a vital stage, and it will pay to overlook the run.