Spell has magical outcome
WILY trainer Royston Carr had no need to justify his induction into the Tasmanian Racing Hall of Fame this year but, if he did need to give cause for his inclusion in the elite, it came in the form of a masterly training effort in Hobart on Sunday.
In what was the closest finish of the day, three horses crossed the line almost in synch with Chief Navigator ($10) poking his nose out on the line to defeat Kingsclere ($6.50) and short-price favourite The Decider ($1.30).
It was a brilliant training feat by Carr to have Chief Navigator fit enough to tackle a 2100m event first up from an eightmonth break.
“I’m absolutely stoked because he’s come into this race over 2100 metres off a very long spell with only a trial over 1400m under his belt a few weeks ago,” Carr said.
“He is a deadset one-pace wonder so it’s no use putting him in a 1600m race because he’s too slow and can’t keep up but when we get him out to 2000m and beyond he’s com- petitive. I’ve thought all along that he might develop into a handy stayer and maybe this time in the penny has dropped and he might just measure up.
“I have to thank the jockey Troy Baker because it was a gem of a ride and he was the one who convinced me to run him in the race.” TRAINER Barry Campbell saddled up odds-on favourite Balearic in a Class 2 handicap (1400m) but before the race he was unsure whether the price was a true indication of his winning chances.
Balearic started at the cramped odds of $1.50 but as most of his best form had been produced on wet tracks, Campbell was wary of the firm track that had been upgraded from a good 4 to a good 3 by the time Balearic’s race was due to be run.
But the Hall of Fame trainer’s concerns were unwarranted as the gelded son of Smart Missile had no trouble with the surface and cruised to an effortless 1¼ length victory over His Nibs ($15) and secondfavourite Ivoryman ($3.10).
“You always worry when tracks get upgraded in the firmer direction when you know your horse prefers rain affected ground but we obviously had no need to worry,” Campbell said.
“Craig (Newitt) said the horse let down really well and was not troubled by the firmness of the surface.
“It’s nice to know because we could run into more firm tracks in Hobart if we get a real hot summer.”
Balearic is one of three horses Campbell had come into his stable recently that used to reside with Chris Waller in Sydney.
The riding honours were shared by Baker and Newitt, who both snared trebles.
Baker also saluted aboard another Carr runner Weekend Whisky in a benchmark 70 handicap over 1200m and he guided the Scott Brunton-trained Earl Da Vinci to a convincing win in a benchmark 70 over 1400m.
Newitt also scored aboard the John Luttrell-trained filly Clever Charlotte and Orphanali for Team Wells in a 1200m maiden.
Carr and Luttrell each trained a double.