Three-year-old Capt Midnight filly Twilight Storm ($1.65 fav) claimed her first win since her Group 3 Evicus victory last November when taking out a no more than two lifetime win event over 1680m at Launceston’s Ladbrokes Racing Centre Mowbray, on Friday night.
Jordan Chibnall took the drive on the Kent Rattray-trained filly, who was second up from a spell.
Starting from the pole, Twilight Storm was able to hold the early lead and dashed away from her rivals at the top of the home straight to record an 8.1m win over I Gotta Go ($10) and Feelinkindalucky ($51) in a mile rate of 1:57.8s.
“It was great to see her return to the winner’s circle,” Chibnall said.
“Her first-up run was super impressive, and she had come on from that. Hopefully, she has no more setbacks and can have a good three-year-old season.
“I’m really happy with the way she has come back after a break,” the driver explained.
The win completed a race-to-race double for Chibnall, who partnered the Geoff Smith-trained Ifyoulovemeletmego ($1.90 fav) to victory in a 1680m national rating 45 to 49 event.
The seven-year-old Shadow Play mare was able to lead, and proved too strong late after being headed in the home straight, scoring by 2.2m over Cheys Angel ($3.50) with Sue Nien ($26) a further 24.7m away third, in a mile rate of 1:56.8s, the quickest of the night.
“She went well. It was a tough effort to kick back after being well and truly headed entering the straight.
“She ran a good time and looks as though she will continue to go on with it,” Chibnall said.
Chibnall shared driving honours at the meeting with Dylan Ford, who scored with the Tammy Langley-trained pair Lady In Line ($9.00) and Bail Denied ($1.26 fav).
Port Run Machine ($2.60 fav) produced one of the strongest performances of the night when coming from well back and sustaining a long three-wide run to defeat Soho Tiger Lily ($3.50) in Race 3. The Craig Hayes-trained three-year-old recorded the fastest individual last half of the meeting in 56.76s.
Everything But The ($6.50) was another to come from back in the field to win race seven.
Tullah Girl ($2.15 fav) led all the way to win the opening race, while Gobsmacked ($2.60 fav) recorded his second win of the season in race two.
