Enjoy Life winning the 2026 Tasmanian Derby on Sunday. Photo by Chelsea Matthews
Victorian driver Kerryn Manning made the most of her trip to Hobart’s Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Sunday, claiming the two Listed features, the Woodlands Stud Tasmanian Derby (2090m) and Woodlands Stud Tasmanian Oaks (2090m).
Enjoy Life ($1.24 fav) maintained his unbeaten record at his seventh career start when claiming the Derby.
From barrier two on the second line, Enjoy Life settled midfield before taking off three wide near the 1500m and finding the spot outside the leader at the 1100m.
The Always B Miki colt proved too tough late to score by 1.4m over Rocky Rocks ($6.50), who was making ground on the sprint lane, with Likeyouforareason ($14), who raced wide for the final half-mile, a further 1.2m away, third in a mile rate of 1:56.8s.
“It was a close finish, but we got the job done,” said Manning post-race.
“To his credit, he fought on well. He still had a bit left.
“He waited for them a bit, but he wouldn’t let them pass,” the driver added.
It was Manning’s second Tasmanian Derby win, and fifth for trainer Emma Stewart, including the past four runnings.
Enjoy Life was bred by Peter Gleeson, who races the horse in partnership with Warren Stewart, and the colt will now be aimed at the upcoming Vicbred series.
In the Oaks, Manning partnered the Danny O’Brien-trained Rocknroll Willow ($1.12 fav), who raced outside the leader from her outside front-row draw before drawing clear late for a 6m win over Twilight Storm ($11) and Sweetheart Dior ($21) in a 2:01.1s mile rate.
“She had to work forward early and did a little bit to get there.
“I thought I’d better get moving a little bit before they came, because she’s pretty tough, this one,” Manning said.
“She’s pretty lightly raced, and she’s got a very good record. She’s a tiny little thing. There’s not much of her, but she’s got a big heart. She’s very tough, and she tries really hard,” the driver added.
O’Brien said pre-race that the daughter of Rock N Roll Worldsome would be aimed at some Breeders Challenge races in New South Wales later in the season.
