EASTENDER TOO GOOD IN LAUNCESTON CUP

By Scott Gooley | Wednesday, February 27, 2019

CUP CLEAN SWEEP FOR TASSIE LOCAL

The mainland visitors arrived in numbers in their attempt to claim the Launceston Cup today, however, the Cup stays in Tasmanian after Eastender, trained by Barry Campbell, took out the $250K Group Three feature.

Campbell’s five-year-old, who has won three from three this campaign including the Devonport and Hobart Cups, added a third Cup to his resume with a half-length win over the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott trained, Fabrizio, courtesy of a text book ride from Craig Newitt.

Race favourite, Godolphin representative Etymology, finished out of the placings, crossing the line in eighth position.

“We’ve now won every major race in Tassie,” Campbell said proudly after the victory.

“It took me 40 years to do it, but this was the only one we hadn’t won.”

“I thought I was going to die having never won it.”

“He’ll go to Adelaide now providing he pulls up well and it’s going to take a good to beat him there as well I think.”

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VILLAMI PRODUCES IMMEDIATE RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Well-bred two-year-old filly Villami has confirmed Gerald Ryan’s early assessment of her and scored an impressive win on debut at Rosehill today.

“I said about eight months ago she’s probably the best two-year-old filly I’ve had since Melito and Snitzerland and she’s done nothing since to change my opinion.”

A daughter of Foxwedge out of Galapagos Girl - a multiple Group 3 winner who also who ran third in Bollinger’s Group 1 Coolmore Classic - was a $425 000 Magic Million yearling purchase and backed up her two recent barrier trials win with a strong victory over Chris Waller’s Starla with a further 4.6 lengths to third.

Jumping well, Villami found the front easily from a wider gate and then, when challenged at the top of the straight, worked through her gears to record the victory in a smart time of 1.04:18.