After recording 12 placings since arriving in the state in October, nine-year-old gelding Reign Of Pain finally won his first Tasmanian race when he took out the Longford Equine Clinic Handicap in Launceston on Friday night.
After beginning safely from his 10-metre handicap, Reign Of Pain settled one-out and three-back before enjoying a lovely three-wide cart up at the bell.
Driver Todd Rattray called upon the $2.80 favourite at the 400-metre mark and the gelded son of Armbro Operative proved too strong for Stylish Trend over the concluding stages.
Trainer and part-owner Heath Szczypka explained post-race that he thought Reign Of Pain looked well-placed in the standing start event.
“It was a drop in class for him and I was hopeful that he would run in the first three placings, it is hard to come here thinking he is going to win cause he has a lot of tricks to get himself beat,” Szczypka said after the win.
“He has been a consistent horse all his life and he has never won any of his races by a big margin,” the trainer added.
Szczypka who took over the training responsibilities in October has been a part-owner of the pacer when he and four others purchased him as a youngster at the yearling sales.
“We bought him at the Melbourne yearling sale for $7,500, he started his career in Victoria, he did run third in the Vicbred final as a three-year-old which was a big thrill and he will be going back to the mainland at the end of August as he will be very hard to place here when we go back to one meeting a week,” Szczypka explained.
Depending on his performances in Victoria, the winner of 12 races may come back to the state over the Christmas – New Year period.
The win of Reign Of Pain compleated a driving double for Todd Rattray who won the opening race with Jigamaroo.
Earlier in the night, the Rodney Burgess-trained Jaminas Joy won her third race of the season in the Trainers Encouragement Pace, courtesy of a brilliant drive by Rohan Hillier.
After settling one-out and one-back Hillier whipped around at the bell to find the spot outside the leader and the Major In Art mare was able to hold off a late challenge by the race favourite Moonlite Bay to score by a half neck.
“It was a drop-in class tonight but you still have to win them,” Burgess said after the win.
Jaminas Joy arrived in Burgess’ care in June 2017 and has never been too far away in her races.
“She has won seven since arriving in our care and she has certainly paid her way,” the trainer and part-owner said.
The trainer is undecided on her future on the race track going forward.
“She may become a broodmare as she is getting onto a hard mark now, but she can have a break, and I will have a break and we will asses it in a few weeks,” said Burgess.
The state’s leading trainer Ben Yole took training honours at the meeting with a treble.
Diamond Grace and Popnduke both saluted while Max Richter won the claiming race of the night.
There were four claims in the event with Another Swinger, Karalta Dazzler and Jeans Mattjesty all being claimed by Gavin Kelly while Northview Dave will join the Beauty Point stables of Troy Hillier.
