Tasmanian-owned and bred Double You Tee outstayed his rivals in the Hobart Cup at Elwick on Sunday to land one of the biggest plunges in the recent history of the $250,000 race.
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Backed from $7 to $2.80 favourite, Double You Tee comfortably accounted for Classic Weiwei and Barade to give interstate trainers the trifecta.
It's a huge thrill ... on a scale of 1-to-10, it's probably a 12
- Part-owner Ian Halliday
They were the only three Victorian-based horses in the race.
But, as far as Double You Tee's owners were concerned, it was a "home town " victory for the Patrick Payne-trained six-year-old.
"I'm not a bit emotional, I'm a lot emotional," said part-owner Ian Halliday. "It's a huge thrill ... on a scale of 1-to-10, it's probably a 12.
"He's Tasmanian-owned and bred and we're just so glad to have been able to bring him home.
"He was bought at the Tasmanian sale (for $115,000). He didn't race at two but raced here as a three-year-old before we sent him to Paddy."
Double You Tee was runner-up in the Hobart and Tasmanian Guineas and fourth in the Tasmanian Derby when trained by John Blacker.
The horse has been a great money-spinner for connections in Victoria but had run a frustrating 10 minor placings since his last win.
Billy Egan has ridden him in most of those races but couldn't make the Hobart Cup weight and was replaced by Melbourne Cup-winner Jye McNeil.
"I was offered the ride because of the weight and saw it as a good opportunity to come down here," McNeil said.
"Hopefully, I can come back to ride him in the Launceston Cup."
McNeil said his only worry during the race was the lack of pace.
"I was a touch concerned - obviously being on a backmarker you need speed to bring you into the race," he said.
"But things played out in our favour ... I let him improve slowly, he got a lovely cart into the race and he had a brilliant finish.
"It's fantastic to get a win with this horse in Tasmania."
McNeil said Payne had done "a fantastic job" conditioning Double You Tee whose career earnings are now $784,000.
Runner-up Classic Weiwei, a notable drifter in the market from $9 to $17, ran a brave race after being left flat-footed when the winner made his move.
Barade ($4.60) ran on strongly but was left with too much to do after settling at the rear.
Outsider Captain Cook gave a big sight, hitting the front on the home turn before finishing fourth at $61, just in front of last year's winner Toorak Affair.
Eastender, the 2019 winner, was eased right down by Craig Newitt in the straight and finished tailed off last.
