Karalta Artemis has claimed the $20,000 Dynamo bonus after recording the fastest winning mile rate across the eight-heat series at Hobart’s Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Friday night.
The Luke Hooper-trained six-year-old recorded 1:56.0s in the opening heat of the series, and none of the subsequent seven winners beat his time.
Driven by Brodie Davis, Karalta Artemis ($2.05 fav) was restrained to the tail of the field from barrier seven as the leaders set a solid tempo through opening quarters of 27.8s and 29.7s.
Still last at the half-mile, he gained a three-wide cart into the race before being forced four wide approaching the home turn.
Mr Bondi ($16) shot clear at the top of the straight, but Karalta Artemis was able to grab the lead inside the final 100m and score by 1.2m, with Itsmenotu ($4.80) a further 8.1m away in third.
The victory was his 12th career success and fourth from 10 starts over the Hobart mile distance.
Karalta Artemis has been known for his speed throughout his career, having set a then Tasmanian two-year-old record of 1:56.3s in Hobart in October 2022.
Hooper believes a change in racing style and scenery has been important for the Huntsville gelding, who has now recorded two wins and two second placings from five starts since joining his stable.
“He just seems to be getting a little bit stronger and stronger each week,” Hooper said.
“He showed plenty of speed early as a young horse, and he was known for being tough.
“Now he is a bit older, I don’t think that enables him to be that tough-driven horse anymore, so we’re just going to try and sit him up and use a bit of his speed to his advantage.”
Hooper also praised Davis, who has developed a good understanding with the gelding.
“He’s definitely up the top there with the drivers in Tassie at the moment,” he said.
“He’s done a good job with him for a horse that he knew absolutely nothing about.”
Hooper, who has between eight and ten horses in work, credited the support of his partner Sally Shaw and his stepchildren Sienna and Eli for helping keep the stable running.
“It’s a real family affair at home with us.”
Iden Lady Lincoln went closest to the winning time, recording 1:56.4s in heat four, providing the first leg of a double for driver Dylan Ford and his mother, trainer Tammy Langley.
Their second success came with Ollies Medal ($5.50), who won heat five by a neck in 1:57.5s.
The Rodney Ashwood-trained Maxx ($1.40 fav) won heat seven in 1:57.3s for Jordan Chibnall, who drove last year’s Dynamo bonus winner Ultimaction.
Father-and-son combination Adrian and Jacob Duggan also enjoyed a successful night, winning with Sue Nien ($15) in 1:58.4s and Five Star Shark ($7.00) in 2:00.4s.
Hannah Van Dongen combined with trainer Wayne Yole to win the final heat with Montgomery Burns ($15) in 1:58.1s.
Howlett dominates the Blue Bonnet
Trainer Chris Howlett landed the trifecta in the $14,000 Ladbrokes Blue Bonnet (1609m) for two-year-old fillies.
Howlett had three last-start winners in the race, including Group 2 Evicus winner Danger Beware, but New Zealand import Ann Penny ($10) proved too strong.
Driven by Ethan Arnott, the Bettors Delight filly settled one-out and two-back after starting from inside the second row before finishing strongly three and four wide over the final 400m.
Ann Penny scored by 5.8m over stablemate Kooky ($7), who had raced outside the leader for the final 1100m.
Danger Beware ($1.30 fav) came from last at the 400m to finish a further 1.5m away in third.
The Blue Bonnet victory was the first leg of a driving double for Arnott, who later partnered Really Smartie ($5.00) to victory in heat seven of the Dynamo.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Tasmanian-born, Victorian-based driver Josh Duggan claimed a win during New Zealand Cup week when Luvtobeuptome claimed the ninth race of the program. The pacer is now the $10 second favourite for next week’s New Zealand Derby.
Josh is the son of the state’s most winning driver, Ricky Duggan, who is currently taking an extended interstate holiday.
