Tassie runners push the stars

TASMANIAN runners at Flemington on Saturday I’m Wesley and Lady Pluck might not have won, but both did the state proud.

Lightly raced three-year-old filly Lady Pluck ($71) was having only her third start but was able to power to the line to finish third behind two promising fillies in Smart Melody ($2.25 fav) and Music Bay ($9) in the Cap D’Antibes Stakes. I’m Wesley was well-backed to win the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality over 1200m and he delivered a superb effort to finish fourth to Dothraki and only 0.8 lengths from the winner.

The gelding was backed in from $26 to start at $8 and was the best-backed in the field of nine which included multiple Group winners Rich Charm ($3.60 fav) and Hey Doc ($7).

I’m Wesley’s trainer Glenn Stevenson was delighted with his stable star’s effort.

“Hey Doc and Wes were the natural speed in the race, so we decided to ride him where he is comfortable and that meant he was going to be left facing that strong breeze. So given the circumstances, he’s done a mighty job,” Stevenson said. “He has pulled up really well, so we’ll have him back in Tassie on Tuesday and head back to Melbourne in three weeks for the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.”

Lady Pluck’s trainer Scott Brunton also was rapt with his filly’s effort. “Given she was having only her third start, she’s done a great job,” he said.