Hot Pursuit’s Bowl bid

THE Alfa Bowl has long been a good guide to a two-yearold’s chances of capturing a Listed race during the Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival, and one that is sure to come under notice in tonight’s edition in Launceston is the Adam Trinder-trained Mystical Pursuit.

Mystical Pursuit was impressive in winning at her only start in Launceston and according to her trainer the filly will go into the race in top order.

“We were all very impressed with her debut win be- cause she encountered some trouble gaining a clear run, but when she found clean air she was dynamic to the line,” Trinder said.

“I can’t fault her work leading up to this race and from gate three she should secure a decent run in transit.”

Mystical Pursuit is a threequarter sister to last year’s Alfa Bowl winner Mystic Journey, which went on to be named Tasmanian 2YO of the year.

She has been a revelation this season winning a Listed and a Group 3YO race in Melbourne.

On exposed form Mystical Pursuit — along with the Leon Wells-trained pair Gee Gees Darl and Gee Gee Bay Watch, the only male in the field — loom as the most likely winning chances.

But there also has been strong support for the Barry Campbell-trained first-starter Deroche.

The well-bred daughter of Needs Further, bred by Armidale Stud, was purchased by Denise Martin at last year’s Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $61,000.

The filly has only been once to the trials for an effortless win on her home track at Spreyton on December 27 (800m), which she won by more than 10 lengths from Dehere the Word and Maywyn is the Word.

Deroche was ridden by Craig Newitt in the trial and he has secured the ride tonight. Deroche was scratched from a 2YO maiden in Hobart last Friday to contest tonight’s race.

Campbell said the filly has shown above-average ability and he expects her to run well on debut.

“Deroche is a nice filly, she’s well-bred and has done all I’ve asked of her leading up to this race,” Campbell said.

She is a full sister to Jubilance, which won last year’s Tasmanian Magic Millions 3YO Classic.

Gee Gee Bay Watch, to be partnered by Brendon McCoull, impressed at her third race start by winning the Alexandra Plate over 1000m in Hobart late last month and that followed a third to Mystical Pursuit in Launceston.

Gee Gees Darl, to be ridden by Troy Baker, won the first juvenile race of the season in Hobart in mid-November and followed up with a second to Bay Watch in the Alexandra Plate.

Gee Gee Bay Watch, a daughter of Cluster-Speedy Sky, was purchased by Paul Geard at last year’s Magic Millions Tasmania yearling sale for $45,000.