Cossetot in Derby triumph
THE powerful Godolphin stable’s first foray into Tasmania resulted in a brilliant win by three-year-old Cossetot in the $150,000 Tasmanian Derby over 2200m at Elwick yesterday.
Cossetot was backed in to start the $2.50 favourite and with star Tasmanian jockey Craig Newitt delivering one of his best rides this season they powered their way to an impressive win.
Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings earmarked the Tasmanian campaign for the Epaulette gelding last month after he won at Canterbury, albeit over a shorter course (1550m).
But the trainer’s decision to step him up to a staying trip in the Derby was justified when he sped clear of his rivals in the straight to score by more than a length from Tasmanian filly Glass Warrior ($7) with wellbacked Victorian gelding Twilight Run ($3.60) a game third.
Godolphin’s travelling foreman Nacim Dilmi said the stable earmarked the Tasmanian Derby for the horse about two weeks ago.
“It was Vin Cox’s [Godolphin director] idea to bring some horses to Tasmania and it was about two weeks ago we selected this race for Cossetot,” Dilmi said.
“I was amazed at how good the horse presented in the mounting yard before the race.
“He had to travel down to Melbourne from Sydney and then travel by sea to Tasmania and then by road to a stable in Hobart so the horse only settled into his box at Brighton yesterday.
“Considering the travelling he has done the horse has done an amazing job.
“He is a horse with plenty of scope and he was courageous today when he needed to be to win.”
The winner of the Tasmanian Derby receives ballot-free entry into the TAB Launceston Cup over 2400m at the end of the month and Dilmi said that would be a consideration.
“We will have to wait and see how the horse recovers from this race before we make any plans but the Launceston Cup could be considered.”
Newitt had Cossetot settled worse than midfield and on the rails inside of Glass Warrior at the halfway mark while Red Fiore led with another inter- state invader Heir of Tavistock camped at its girth.
Twilight Run emerged from the pack to take the lead and looked home at the top of the straight, but he faded on his run and Cossetot forged clear with Glass Warrior doing her best work late.