Admiral launched another winning week for Vinery sire Mossman in the LR Gold Sovereign Stakes (1200m) in Launceston on Wednesday.
The Barry Campbell trained youngster is a firm favourite to be crowned Tasmania’s 2YO Champion this season after an emphatic victory in that State’s premier juvenile event.
Admiral (2g Mossman – Reunification by West Quest) burst to the front in the straight to score by a half-length from Geegees Doublejay (Wordsmith) and Toothless (Old Deuteronomy).
It was his fourth win in five starts after victories in the Debutante Plate, Alfa Bowl and LR Elwick Stakes. “He should be unbeaten,” Campbell claimed. “He copped a rain-affected track when Geegees Doublejay beat him in Hobart just before Christmas.”
Admiral is raced by part-owner and breeder Bruno Calabro along with Ron and Trudy Schwanke and Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds. Calabro bought the gelding’s dam Reunification when she was offered for sale by the late Dudley Clark.
Reunification had won 12 races under Campbell’s care and was carrying Admiral when she changed hands.
Winning jockey Brendon McCoull praised Admiral and Campbell after the Gold Sovereign. “I knew I was on the best horse and it was just a matter of getting him into clear racing room. He hit the line like I expected and it was a pretty decisive win. Barry has certainly done an outstanding job with him.”
Later in the day, Team Hawkes completed a double for Mossman with Traitor in the ATC Membership On Sale Hcp (1400m) at Randwick.
Traitor (3g Mossman – Informant by Flying Spur) was always travelling like a winner for Brenton Avdulla before producing a superior turn of foot to score by two lengths. Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the gelding will keep progressing through the grades and is still “a prep or two” away from peaking.
Avdulla agreed after return to scale. “We always had them covered,” he declared. “I think he will eventually develop into a stakes horse.”
Traitor was a $75,000 buy at the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions and he is related to Kitchwin Hills stallion Dane Shadow.
Team Hawkes has unbeaten Mossman filly Mossfun ticking over nicely in readiness for the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill this Saturday. She is a last-start winner of the LR Widden Stakes at Rosehill.
In what’s shaping up as an evenly matched contest, Mossfun is priced at $4.80 with the TAB for the Silver Slipper. Testa Rossa colt Unencumbered has opened up the $3 favourite for his return to racing following that big pay-day in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 11.
ADMIRAL
Mossman gelding wins the LR Gold Sovereign Stakes
Photo / Peter Staples