Two-year-old colt Some High ($1.22 fav) made it a winning racetrack debut when claiming a two-year-old maiden event in Hobart on Sunday night.
Driver Tarn Ford had the Emma Stewart-trained pacer positioned outside the leader, in a race that turned into a sprint home, scoring by 2.9m over Haveyoumetmaynard ($7) and Calzo Sniper ($5.50) in a 27.5s final quarter.
The time for the mile was 2:01.5s, on a rain-affected track.
Some High is by Ride High, who won his C0 in Launceston in May 2018 before finishing his career with 16 wins from 18 starts.
He is out of Somerocksomeroll, whose only other progeny to race is Some American, a winner of six races with 12 minor placings, including three at Group 1 level.
Some High is owned and bred by Victorian duo Peter Gleeson and Clayton Tonkin, who were happy with the pacer’s debut effort.
“He did a good job. It is his first time away from home, and he hasn’t actually been exposed to a lot.
“But he is going to make a nice horse; he sort of gives you a good feel. He has got good speed, and just the experience in itself of having a trip away will be a huge thing for him; we find a trip down there really can bring them on,” said Tonkin.
“He was born and bred at our property, so it was great to see him win. It’s probably a little bit more special when you breed them yourself.
Tonkin said the colt was set to travel back to Victoria this week, with his short-term target being the Rising Star 2YO at Ballarat on 11 June, where the winner will receive an offer to compete in the BDTC and Durham Park slot in the $500,000 Protostar at Brisbane’s Albion Park in July.
“I really want to line him up in that race at Ballarat, so I just wanted to give him a run and sort of get him away, and just give him that little bit more experience.
“The (Two-Year-Old) races haven’t been really holding up in Victoria. And that race will soon come around where, if you don’t get a run into them, some of those horses will be a bit more experienced.
“If he ran a great race and didn’t win, for sure I would chase a slot. But if he sort of didn’t measure up to it, I wouldn’t bother. He will determine his fate on that night,” said Tonkin.
Some High’s win was one of several on the program for concession drivers.
Ethan Arnott partnered the in-form mare Shes Allaboutluv ($1.16 fav) to victory in a National Rating 75 to 105 event.
Charli Masotti recorded her first win since relocating to the state when scoring with Colby Sanz ($6.50), continuing the good run for trainer Kent Rattray.
Trainer Tammy Langley prepared a double, with both winners driven by concession drivers. Ryan Backhouse scored with Hammering Seas ($12), before Grace Jones drove Ashante Queen ($5) to victory.
Father and son pair Wayne and Mark Yole also teamed up with a double with Mista Eagle ($6), and We Salute You ($6).
Other winners included the Paul Williams-trained and driven Shades Of Silk ($5), with the gelding recording back-to-back wins heading towards some upcoming Tasbred features.
The Roger Whitmore-trained Resurgent Warrior ($6.50) recorded his first win of the season in the final race of the night, with Pacing For Pink ambassador Rodney Ashwood taking the winning drive.
