Blessed win for McShane

TASMANIAN Hall of Fame trainer Walter McShane claimed his first winner in two years when the well-named galloper Bless Me Father powered to an impressive victory in a 1200m maiden in Hobart on Sunday.

Bless Me Father (Keep The Faith-Dubious Lady) settled second with apprentice Teagan Voorham aboard but, when asked for an effort, the gelding forged clear over the concluding stages to defeat Cunning Fox and Monmouth.

McShane said the threeyear-old had taken a while to come to hand but he expected steady progress now that he has captured his maiden win.

“We took the horse to Launceston for his debut on Launceston Cup Day but that didn’t work out,” McShane said. “But his work improved enormously, and I did expect improvement. But I wouldn’t go as far to say I expected him to win.

“I told the owners to have a little investment but there was emphasis on little.

“That’s my first winner in a long time but then again I haven’t taken many to the races since Norsqui won the Adelaide Cup in 2013.”

McShane’s previous winner was Miss Choosey in March 2015 and since that mare’s last win the veteran mentor has had only four horses in work.

Bless Me Father is from a mare who was owned by former Tasracing administrator Simon Stout, who is caretaker CEO of Racing Queensland after the sudden departure of Eliot Forbes.

Bless Me Father’s victory was the first leg of a winning double for Voorham, who also partnered the Stuart Gandytrained Geegee Trendsetter to a solid win in a benchmark 62 handicap over 1000m.

Geegee Trendsetter showed a lot of courage to win as she is not a big filly and made light of the 58kg and a wide barrier.

“I was very impressed with Geegee Trendsetter because she ran through the line and she felt strong on the line so I’m sure she’ll win more races,” Voorham said.

“It was also great to get a win for Mr McShane.” MEHMET ULUCINAR was rewarded for the work he has been putting in at the Scott Brunton stable at Seven Mile Beach.

The Brunton-trained Mansplaining ($13) scored a surprise win in a class one handicap over 1400m, scoring by almost a length from his stablemate and odds-on favourite Banca Boy ($1.50), much to the chagrin of punters.

Ulucinar has been riding trackwork for Brunton since he returned from an overseas holiday last September.

The rider, who has a constant struggle with his riding weight, has kept persevering and it is good to see him being rewarded for a tremendous effort. THE John Keys-trained Amaword scored a game win in a benchmark 68 handicap (1400m) after backing up from a second in Launceston last Wednesday night.

He seemed to appreciate the five-day back-up.

“I had it in the back of my mind to run this horse at both meetings and I’m ever so glad I did,” Keys said.

“He has been a bit of a problem horse but when he puts it all together he can gallop.”