3 minute read
Just A Tribute storms home to win the Thomas Lyons.
After being beaten in a Benchmark 68 at his most recent run, Just A Tribute put up a career best performance to come from last and win the WFA $125,000 Magic Millions Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) in Hobart on Sunday.
Starting at ($15), Just A tribute was still near the tail of the field at the top of the straight but finished all over the top of his more fancied rivals to win.
Trained by Gary White, who in the 90s and early 2000s made winning feature Cups look easy, and ridden by Carleen Hefel, Just A Tribute beat First Accused ($5), who looked the winner 100m from home, pacesetter Turk Warrior ($12) finished third.
"We set him for this race today," White said.
"It's great to win a race like this. I'm 68, and I plan to retire soon."
Tsunami of support
Punters were off to the best possible start on Cup Day with the well-supported Tsunami Sam ($2.20 – $1.90) winning by three lengths in the 1100m BM76.
The speedy 5YO is lightly raced with five wins from his 14 runs and just on $120,000 in prizemoney.
Apprentice Chelsea Baker took the favourite straight to the front, dictated terms and skipped home the last 600m in a slick 33.83 seconds, giving those chasing no hope.
"The horse basically did it for me.
"I jumped nicely, gave him a little squeeze, a four-horse field can sometimes be the worst ones tactically but he got to the rail easily, felt great and when I asked him to let down, he was just like a V-eight," the winning jockey said.
