Four-year-old entire Iron Clad ($7.50) was the first horse to qualify for the Lees Orchard Tassie Golden Apple (2200m), when outstaying his rivals in the first heat in Launceston on Sunday afternoon.
The son of Art Major stepped safely in the standing start event and ended up racing outside the leader.
Driver Jack Laugher drove a confident race, putting the foot down near the 500m mark, when Triple Vinnies broke, resulting in trailing runners One Big Shew and Glenledi Elvis being checked.
Iron Clad ended up scoring by 7.2m over Maebee ($8), with Star Major ($3.50), who started off a 30m handicap, a further 23.5m away third, in a mile rate of 1:59.7s.
“I was very impressed with both the horse and Jack Laugher,” said winning trainer Wayne Yole post-race.
“He done it tough. He didn’t get a dream run or anything, racing outside the leader.
“Jack was rapt with him, and he said he would like to retain the drive on him, so that’s a good rap within itself.”
It was the fifth Tasmanian start for Iron Clad, who was purchased after a win at Albion Park in late September.
“He has arrived on a nice mark ahead of the summer, and he is a well put together horse, and he is a lovely horse to have around. Despite being a stallion, he was a gentleman at the races, and even when I got him swabbed, the swab stewards were surprised by how quiet he was.”
Iron Clad will be one of four horses to represent the Yole stable in the final, with Keayang Fitzy, Anything Goes, and Vanquish Stride all qualifying for the final.
Another former Tasmanian driver that is now based in Victoria, Alex Ashwood, partnered Heza Punk Rocker ($1.70 fav) to victory in the second heat of the Lees Orchard Tassie Golden Apple, holding off Triedtotellya ($3.30) by a short half-head in 1:59.3s.
Sunday’s program also included heats of the 6ty° Bandbox (2200m), which was dominated by race favourites with Smooth Reason ($1.10 fav) recording a 10.2m win, while Barbary Tales ($1.70 fav) returned from a Victorian campaign to win her heat by 11.5m.
Punters got it right in the Nutrien Ag Solutions Globe Derby (2200m), with Hungry Hippo ($1.65 fav) defeating the second favourite, Ourtiger ($3.70), and Okanui Beach ($5), who started on the third line of betting, finishing third.
The finals for the Tassie Golden Apple, Bandbox, and Globe Derby will be held on Saturday night, 29 November.
