Shes Allaboutluv and Rockandahardplace strengthened the form line of the recent Launceston Mile by winning at their next starts in Hobart on Sunday night.
Shes Allaboutluv, who finished fourth in the Launceston Mile, appreciated the drop back to a 65 to 74 National Rating event over 2090m.
The Chris Howlett-trained pacer was positioned outside the leader by concession reinsman Ethan Arnott.
Heath Woods, driver of race leader Barber Shop, tried to kick away from his rivals near the 400m, but a pre-race plan to try and beat him for speed late paid off.
“I was really pleased with her. She enjoyed coming back to her grade this week,” said Arnott.
“We wanted to make it a sprint home and thought that was the best way to beat Barber Shop,” the claiming novice driver added.
Shes Allaboutluv, a four-year-old daughter of Always B Miki, has now won eight races, with six of those wins being in eight starts in Tasmania this season.
Rockandhardplace’s victory came in the night’s Discretionary, after enjoying a nice run behind the leader in the 2570m trip, with driver John Walters getting the Kent Rattray-trained pacer out in plenty of time for a half-head win.
The quickest winning mile rate and margin of the meeting went to debutante Star Vision ($1.09 fav) in the Pacing For Pink Maiden.
Trained by Emma Stewart and driven by Tarn Ford, the three-year-old was able to work forward and find the lead in the early stages, and was untroubled to win by 49.7m in 1:57.0s.
“He was very interested in the warm-up, as he was still quite green and did not really know where to look or what to do. Even heading behind the mobile, he was a bit unsure of himself. But as soon as the mobile pulled away, he instantly switched into racehorse mode.
“He travelled strongly throughout and never got out of second gear, which was very impressive,” said Ford.
The Always B Miki three-year-old colt is a half-sibling to 2024 Victorian Derby winner Best Deal, who had won two races in Tasmania earlier that season.
Ford completed the night with a double after Sweet Dixie ($1.65 fav) claimed the final race of the night, leading all the way.
“She certainly deserved that win after putting together a string of very good runs. Ray and Sharon Pullen have been terrific supporters of mine, so it was especially pleasing to be able to repay their loyalty with a well-deserved victory,” said the driver.
The meeting was called remotely off-track by Paul Langham, after regular caller Matt Robertson became indisposed prior to the meeting.
