Dream Pedlar will head the home defence of the G3 Hobart Cup on February 13. The West Quest gelding took over as Tasmania’s leading galloper after his resounding victory in the Kevin Sharkie Stakes (1600m) last Sunday.
The Troy Blacker-trained gelding dethroned Tassie hero Conquering in the weight-for-age mile. He enjoyed a dream run under heavyweight jockey Michael Guthrie and was poised to pounce when Conquering’s three length lead began to diminish in the straight.
When Guthrie called, Dream Pedlar dug deep and stormed home to boost his record to 7 wins and 13 placings in 36 starts.
It was Dream Pedlar’s first win back in Tasmania after a successful mainland campaign where he won the LR Bendigo Cup and Ballarat Gold Nugget. He was also fourth home in the G3 Coongy Hcp at Caulfield and the G3 Queen’s Cup at Flemington.
“I would really love to win the Hobart Cup and I reckon I’ve got the horse to do it this season,” Blacker said. “He’s been placed in the past two Hobart Cups but he is a many lengths better horse this time around.”
Blacker will nominate him for the Devonport Cup on January 5 and the Jockey Club Cup on February 5 leading into Hobart Cup.
Dream Pedlar (6g West Quest – Unamah by Top Avenger) is by Grenville Stud sire West Quest (Gone West) who is aiming for six Tasmanian sires’ premierships in a row in 2010-11. He has sired 13 winners of 18 races in Australia so far this season for earnings of $507,843.
Next in line are Armidale Stud residents Ladoni on $360,679 (15 winners of 20 races) and Savoire Vivre on $311,990 (16 winners of 22).
Armidale owner Robyn Whishaw will offer a Ladoni half-brother to Dream Pedlar at the 2011 Tasmanian Magic Millions.