Dark Destroyer descends late in fresh-up surprise

Dark Destroyer ($11) showed he has come back as a spring 4yo in fine fettle, winning the $300K G1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings yesterday. Settled back by rider Lisa Allpress, Dark Destroyer moved near the home turn, with Imperatriz ($1.50) and Spring Tide looking set to battle it out at the 200m, before Dark Destroyer asserted his superiority to win by a length from Spring Tide. La Crique knocked off Imperatriz for third in an $842 trifecta. ‘‘There will be a lot of improvement in him,’’ said Matamata co-trainer Andrew Scott.