TRACKSIDE ACTION FROM THE CUP

A COVID- 19- capped crowd flocked to Spreyton on Wednesday as Tasmania’s summer racing carnival kicked off in style after a false start at Elwick.

The crowd for the $ 100,000 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup was capped at 2500 this year – half of the 5000 that usually comes through the gates.

The all- weather synthetic track – tagged as # god’s carpet on Twitter – was of no concern to officials.

“This is a great start to the season after a disappointing start ( at Elwick),” officials said.

“Then we have the Launceston Cup on Friday before racing returns to Spreyton on Monday.” The Hobart Cup is due to be held at the troubled Elwick Racecourse in February, depending on the condition of the grass track.

Officials were forced to cancel the Guineas meeting at Elwick on December 28 after the track failed to meet safety requirements.

At Spreyton yesterday Racing Minister Jane Howlett said she expected to get a report on March 1 into what went wrong with the $ 12.5m Elwick upgrade.

“I will release it to the public

soon after that. It is important we all know why it was not up to scratch and to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” she said.

Ms Howlett also announced a new maternity assistance program for jockeys and harness racing drivers in Tasmania.

For health reasons, a female jockey or driver is prohibited from riding or driving after the first trimester of their pregnancy under national racing rules.

“Tasracing’s maternity assistance program will bridge the gap from when a jockey or driver ceases riding or driving at the end of their first trimester until they are eligible for the federal government’s paid parental leave scheme

at the birth of the child,” Ms Howlett said.

The scheme will be paid from the start of the second trimester until the birth of the child and will be paid at a rate that is equivalent to the jockey or driver’s average weekly wage, capped at the government’s rate for paid parental leave.

There are 12 female jockeys in Tasmania and 12 female harness racing drivers and the number is growing. Most are aged under 25.

While the usual crazy outfits were few and far between at this year’s Devonport Cup, there were still lots of glamorous racing at the annual Fashion on the Field competition.

Devonport Cup ambassador

Taylor Fuller, 19, of Ulverstone, was one of the judges and also soaked up the atmosphere among punters on the lawns.

Self- named fashion of the field veteran Amanda Southwell, from Wesley Vale, took out both the millinery and classic racewear sections in a hat she made herself.

“Go out and get creative in 2021,” she told the crowd.

Vini Reid, in another homemade outfit, took out the contemporary section.

Devonport’s Raphael Reynolds took out the men’s section at his first cup and Izabel Murray and Edward Bidwell were named best couple.

NEWHART joined an elite band of gallopers at Spreyton Park on Wednesday when he powered his way to victory in the $ 100,000 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup to become the first since champion Brallos to win the race in consecutive seasons.

The Leanne Gaffney-trained five- year- old emerged last season as one of the most promising young stayers when he won the Devonport club’s showcase event for the first time but this latest win was easily a career- best effort. Newhart ($ 3.40 fav) was superbly ridden by champion rider Craig Newitt who allowed the gelded son of Fighting Sun to settle near the rear of the field from the outside gate, while Dark Warrior ($ 4.20) assumed the role of pacemaker with the wellbacked Gee Gee Fiorente ($ 5.50) content to sit just off the speed.

Galway Girl ($ 23) also raced near the speed and when she emerged to stake her claim at the top of the straight Newitt called on Newhart for the big effort.

But once Newhart caught sight of the leader he knuckled down to his task and drew clear close to home to defeat Galway Girl with outsider White Cliffs ($ 41) flashing home along the rails to grab third.

“I love this horse and to win the race again from the outside barrier was a credit to him and to his rider Craig Newitt,” Gaffney said. “If he comes through this race in good order he will head to one of the lead- up races to the Hobart Cup but that’s as far ahead as we are planning.”

Newitt summed up his thoughts in one precise statement. “He is a real good horse and we haven’t seen the best of him,” Newitt said.

Orange Roughie, that went into the race on the back of five consecutive wins in graded events, ran on gamely to finish fourth.

Newhart’s cup win gave Gaffney four winners in what was clearly her most memorable day at the races and it was Newitt’s seventh Devonport Cup to give him the record of most wins by a jockey. JOCKEY Bulent Muhcu started the day in style winning the first two races on the 10- event card and by race six he had four winners in the bag.

His winners were Barbie’s Witness and Aragon Star for Gaffney and his ride aboard Gee Gees Jennia ($ 3.10) to win the Carlton & United Breweries Maiden over 1150m was a gem. His fourth aboard talented three- year- old filly Mystical Beauty was another great ride.

Mystical Beauty ($ 5.50) is prepared by Adam Trinder, who endured a mixed day as one of his stable favourites Douglas unfortunately suffered a heart attack and had to be euthanized.

“All the girls are devastated as Douglas was one of the favourites around the stable,” said Trinder, as he tried to hold back tears.