Former boom three-year-old Ryley Major made a sensational comeback at Mowbray on Sunday night to record his 10th Tasmanian win in a row.
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Having his first start since July 2016, the now six-year-old outclassed his rivals in the Faithful Park Stud Stakes, coming from one-out, four back at the bell to win, running away, by almost 5m from Northview Dave with Grinable 9m away third.
It completed a big night for his Beauty Point trainer-driver Rohan Hillier who took three horses to the races and went home with three winners.
Hillier's first-starter Dusty Martini led all the way to win the fifth heat of the Allen Williams Memorial and promising four-year-old Dufrense returned from a 10-month break to score a comfortable win in the Become An LPC Member Pace after racing in the death.
All three were odds-on favourites. Dusty Martini firmed from $3.20 to $1.90 while the other two were always deep in red figures.
Ryley Major was originally sidelined by a tendon injury and Hillier explained that the gelding had experienced a couple more "major setbacks" along the comeback trail.
"He'll be in need of the run but his class should carry him through," the trainer predicted before the race and that's exacty what happened.
DERBY DELIGHT FOR DEVONPORT COLT
Well-bred three-year-old Max Delight cost East Devonport owner Mick Maxfield $245,000 but he could be in profit by the end of the season.
Max Delight took his stake-earnings close to $200,000 when he led all the way for an effortless win in Saturday night's Tasmanian Derby.
And, potentially there's plenty more money to be won by the Bettors Delight colt, who had captured the NSW Derby at his previous start.
The $125,000 Breeders Challenge at Menangle and $200,000 Breeders Crown at Melton are likely to be on trainer David Aiken's radar.
Driver Todd McCarthy said Max Delight had all the credentials to have a big future.
"He's got speed and he's tough, that's a bit of a rare mix," McCarthy said. "Usually, you only get one or the other."
McCarthy said that the way Max Delight demolished his Tasmanian Derby rivals was "awesome."
"David had him spot on and it all went to plan," the driver said.
"He jumped in front nicely, settled good and rolled off comfortable quarters before dashing home in a bit over 27 (seconds)."
Max Delight, the unbackable $1.04 favourite (paying money-back on the tote), won by by 20m.