Wesley Vale trainer Glenn Stevenson could not over-emphasise the importance of being back on the racetrack for the resumption of barrier trials at Longford on Tuesday.
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After winning with his only two runners, Bona Dea Tapit and Boom Dot Com, Stevenson said it was essential to the viability of his business to have his horses back in action, especially those with interstate connections.
"Bona Dea Tapit comes from Sydney and still has owners up there," the trainer said.
They also have horses in other states so it's been hard for me to keep telling them that this is the only place not racing
- Trainer Glenn Stevenson
"They also have horses in other states so it's been hard for me to keep telling them that this is the only place not racing.
"It's been embarrassing, really.
"So to get their filly back to the trials and winning is a big result."
Bona Dea Tapit, by leading North American sire Tapit, began her career with trainer David Payne in Sydney but failed at her first two barrier trials 12 months ago.
"Apparently she used to cook herself in the box, walking around non-stop, so I train her out of a three-acre paddock," Stevenson said.
"She's still a work in progress but I think she's quite promising."
Bona Dea Tapit won her trial by a narrow margin over Gee Gee Devonboy in the third fastest time of the morning.
The fastest time was recorded by Angela Brakey's three-year-old filly I'm A Floozy who spaced her rivals by seven lengths.
I'm A Floozy is out of Vamos Stakes winner I'm A Hussy.
John Blacker supplied three winners in Costero, Young Cranach and Subtle Cross while Team Wells won the open-class trial with Gee Gee Pengala.
Trainers took 25 horses to the first set of trials since racing was shut down on April 2 and Stevenson expects the number to increase as the June 13 race restart draws closer.
"I could have seven at the trials next week but I'm a little bit worried about the track so hopefully the weather between now and then is not too bad," he said.
"If Longford gets too wet and we can't get permission to trial at Spreyton, I might have to take a couple to Hobart."
Tasmanian Jockeys Association general manager Kevin Ring said his members were happy with the strict new protocols in place for trials.
"I was given permission to attend as an observer and I think everything went good - everyone did what they were supposed to," Ring said.
"Everyone seemed in a good frame of mind to be back and were careful to observe the social distancing rules.
"With trials restricted to four runners, we were able to adhere to the 10-person limit at the barriers - four jockeys, four attendants, a clerk and a vet.
"If racetracks were deemed to be a workplace, which of course they are, we'd be able to have more so that's something we'll be asking about."
TRIAL RESULTS
1- MDN, 700m: Costero (B Muhcu) 1, Bogan Bill (I Toker) 2, Sh'bourne Renegade (K Baker) 3. Sht 1/2 hd, 6 len. 43.03.
2- MDN, 700m: Young Cranach (B Muhcu) 1, Look To The Future (B McCoull) 2, Sh'bourne Brandy (I Toker) 3. 1-3/4 len, 2 len. 43.00.
3- CL1, 700m: I'm A Floozy (I Toker) 1, Itsa (J Blacker) 2, Sheorta (B McCoull) 3. 7 len, 4 len. 42.40.
4- CL2, 700m: Subtle Cross (B Muhcu) 1, Oh So Needy (I Toker) 2, Gee Gee Acehigh (D parish) 3. 1-1/2 len, sht 1/2 hd. 42.57.
5- 3&4YO, 700m: Boom Dot Com (Codi Jordan) 1, Moonlight Escapade (D Parish) 2, Needs More Love (Y Nishitani) 3. Sht 1/2 h, nk. 43.48.
6- OPEN, 700m: Gee Gee Pengala (I Toker) 1, Gee Gees Cricket (Codi Jordan) 2, Gee Gee Pureblonde (D Parish) 3. Sht 1/2 hd, 3/4 len. 44.00.
7- MDN, 700m: Bona Dea Tapit (I Toker) 1, Gee Gee Devonboy (D Parish) 2, Calingo (K Baker) 3. Hd, 2 len. 42.80.
