Sebring’s Joy could have added her name to Longford trainer John Blacker’s travelling team when she made an impressive Tasmanian debut at Elwick on Sunday.
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The Tasmanian-bred three-year-old, who had done all her previous racing in Victoria, overcame a wide run to win the Class 1 Handicap by more than three lengths.
Blacker is now toying with the idea of sending her back to Victoria for a $100,000 fillies’ race over 1100 metres at Caulfield on July 1.
Devonport Cup winner Powercharged is earmarked to contest the $80,000 Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400m) on the same program.
Blacker had intended running Powercharged at Flemington on Saturday but had a charge of heart.
Recent Mowbray winner Zatacla is still likely to run at Flemington in a $100,000 three-year-old race over 1600m where he is 16th in the order of entry and guaranteed a start.
Blacker said that Sebring’s Joy had shown enough to warrant a trip to Melbourne if he thought the race was suitable.
“She won (at Elwick) like we thought she would, going on her Victorian record,” the trainer said.
“There’s no doubt she’s got ability.
“She came from the Darren Weir stable in very good order and has got the job done first-up for new owners.”
Weir paid $60,000 for the Sebring – Cunning Lass filly at the 2015 Magic Millions yearling sale in Launceston.
Bred by Rhonda Hall at Campania, she was the top-priced filly of her year.
Her seven starts in Victoria netted a debut maiden win at Swan Hill and five other top-four finishes.
BRUNTON HOPING FOR SOME RAIN
David Brunton is another trainer hoping Tasmania’s recent run of success continues in Melbourne on Saturday.
Brunton’s in-form mare Step The Pedal is entered for a 1400m benchmark 90 mares’ race at Flemington.
Step The Pedal has won her past five starts in Hobart and Launceston.
“She'll need it wet so I'm hoping the forecast showers come but I'm happy with her," Brunton said.
Co-trainers Imogen Miller and Chris Crook will also have Tshahitsi running at the meeting.
The five-year-old, to be ridden by Brendon McCoull, will be chasing his third win in a row after scoring in the $80,000 Echuca Cup and a $100,000 race at Flemington.
Tshahitsi has 59kg in a 1400m open handicap, 3.5kg more than he carried at his last start.
"The weight could test him but he couldn't have been more impressive last run,” Miller said.
"He does really nothing between races because there's not much of him – he's pretty light on.
“He’s very well and all things are looking pretty good going into Saturday.”