Comeback pacer Sunny Sanz has run the fastest last 800m recorded in Tasmania since the introduction of calculated sectional times.
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The Kent Rattray-trained gelding's calculated sectional time at Mowbray on Sunday night was an exceptional 55.02 seconds.
Calculated sectionals have only been available since December 2015 and the previous fastest was Scootwillrev's 55.10 seconds in an open-class race at Mowbray last July.
Sunny Sanz bettered that time in a race restricted to three-year-olds at his first start for 13 months.
Sectional times for individual horses are calculated by taking into account how far they were behind the leader at the 800m mark.
In Sunny Sanz's case that was four metres, hence the difference between the time shown on the official results (55.3) and his individual time (55.02).
After winning his only three starts as a two-year-old, Sunny Sanz did a suspensory behind his knee.
Rattray gave the gelding a long-time in the paddock and a slow preparation and he's hoping this season's ultimate reward will come in the Globe Derby Stakes.
TESSIE STARS ON MOTHER'S DAY
Mother's Day always produces some sentimental winners, as was the case at Spreyton on Sunday when Tessie won the Fillies & Mares Maiden on debut.
The four-year-old is raced by Sydney-based syndicator Denise Martin and her sister Anne Campbell, in partnership with Anne's son Martin and daughter Jess.
They named the mare after their mother and grandmother Tess Martin, wife of North West sporting icon Paddy Martin.
Anne's husband Barry is the trainer and might have been feeling more pre-race pressure than usual - but he needn't have worried.
Tessie, ridden by Craig Newitt, scored the easiest win of the day by 4-1/2 lengths.
Campbell said the mare had a lot of ability and, despite her delayed debut, was "as sound as a bell".
"But she was mad and has taken a lot of getting going - this is her third or fourth prep," the trainer said.
"Thankfully she's been really good this time in and has done everything right."
NEWCOMERS MAKE FOR GOOD FINALE
The last feature race on turf this season, the $50,000 Tasbred 2YO at Mowbray on Sunday, has attracted strong nominations.
Deroche, Still A Star and Fitzwilliam stand out among those that have raced but there are some interesting newcomers.
They include the Scott Brunton-trained Galenus (a half-brother to Mandela Effect) who easily won a Longford trial under a good hold last week.
Brunton is determined to make the most of the last meeting on turf until October. He has 20 entries.