Spreyton-trained stayer Eastender has become the first horse since the legendary Brallos to complete the Devonport, Hobart and Launceston cups treble.
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Brilliantly ridden by Craig Newitt, Eastender stormed home to win the $250,000 Launceston Cup at Mowbray on Wednesday and earn a place in racing history.
Brallos, regarded as one of the greatest Tasmanian horses of all-time, completed the cups treble in 1976 and '77.
Eastender also earned a $100,000 bonus - half for his owners and half for his trainer Barry Campbell - by completing the Hobart - Launceston cups double.
He has taken us on a ride that none of us imagined possible
- Part-owner Denise Martin
Part-owner Denise Martin, originally from Devonport and now a leading syndicator based in Sydney, paid only $22,000 for Eastender who has now won $600,000.
Martin syndicated the horse to a big group of owners who come from Tasmania, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.
"This horse showed no talent at all as a two-year-old but Barry (Campbell) always believed in him and said we just had to be patient," Martin said.
"That's all very well when you're not paying the accounts.
"But he was right and we now have a very special horse who has taken us on a ride that none of us imagined possible.
"It's almost unbelievable that he's emulated the great Brallos.
"This is a thrill that we'll always treasure.
"We can only thank our marvellous trainer and his staff and Craig Newitt who has been an integral part of the story right from the start."
Campbell, 64, said that despite his good record leading into the race, he believed Eastender had been underestimated.
It was the trainer's first Launceston Cup win after two second placings.
Newitt also won the race on the Peter Moody-trained Zacielo in 2004.
