BRUNTON BELIEVES MANDELA EFFECT IS ‘THE BEST WE’VE SEEN’

PREMIER trainer Scott Brunton declared his four-year-old Mandela Effect arguably the “best we’ve seen in Tasmania” after the gelding won a benchmark 70 handicap (1200m) on Wednesday night in Launceston.

Forced to carry a steadying 60kg that included a 2kg claim for apprentice Teagan Voorham, Mandela Effect was allowed to settle at the rear of the field while Apriano set a solid tempo with Box of Frogs (62.5kg) content to trail the leader.

Apriano’s rider, apprentice Breanna Smith, went for home at the top of the straight to try and pinch a winning break but when Mandela Effect slipped into third gear the gelded son of Turffontein overhauled the leader and went on to score convincingly.

“I think we’ve just seen a very special horse, possibly the best we’ve seen race here in Tassie,” Brunton said. “To carry that weight (62kg) firstup from a spell over 1200m is quite an effort and in the end he’s done it comfortably.

“We’ve got a plan for him this preparation and that is to head to an open handicap over 1400m here in Tassie and then slip over to Melbourne for a race at Flemington on Oaks Day over either 1600m or 1800m.”

Mandela Effect made quite an impact at his only other Melbourne performance scoring an easy win coming from last on the home turn at Caulfield in July (1400m). The gelding was a unanimous choice for Tasmanian three-year-old of the year and if Brunton is right he could secure the Horse of the Year award this season.

“I sat down with the horse’s managing owner Andrew Scanlon and we agreed the race at Flemington would be an achievable goal,” Brunton said.

“That’s as far ahead as we want to plan and if he can win his next two then the horse will have done his job this prep.

“He is still quite raw but when he fully matures I’m sure he will be very special.”

Brunton ended the night with a treble, courtesy of his six-year-old mare Zuberina scoring an impressive win in a class one handicap over 1200m and consistent grey gelding Ivoryman won a benchmark 64 handicap over 1400m.

Ivoryman appreciated a change of riding tactics to power home and score decisively, while Zuberina worked hard early to race outside of the leader from a wide gate but proved too strong for her rivals.

Ivoryman was ridden back in the field, settling last of the five runners, but when rider Troy Baker sent the ghostly grey around the field nearing the home turn, he cruised to the leader Jacques and went on to score by a length.

The riding honours on the nine-event card were shared equally by Troy Baker and Craig Newitt, who each snared a double, while Brunton’s treble made it a good night at the office for the reigning premier trainer.