Turkish jockey wins both $50,000 feature races at Elwick

Muhcu came from back in the field to win the $50,000 Sires Produce on Bobble then led virtually all the way on Alvarinho in the $50,000 3YO Autumn Classic.

Trainer Gary White said he expected Bobble to develop into a topline three-year-old.

"She'll go the paddock now and I'm sure she'll come back much stronger next season," he said.

"I think there is a lot of upside to her because she is only just learning how to race.

"She'll be very competitive in the better three-year-old races."

Bobble was having only her fourth start and had previously run fourth in the Gold Sovereign before winning her maiden in mid-March.

"She missed some races you would have wanted her to run in leading up to this," White said.

Bobble had to make do with a trial 12 days earlier when White said she raced a little too keenly.

"She jumped a bit slow today but got into a great position before Bulent was forced to make his run probably a little early and she lost ground on the corner," White said.

"Otherwise, I think she might have put two or three lengths on them."

Muhcu said he had to go when he did because the pace had been very slow.

"I knew I was going a bit early but I had to make a decision," he said.

Bobble won by a neck over perennial placegetter Hilarity who fought on strongly after leading.

Trainer Imogen Miller is also looking ahead to next season with Alvarinho who proved far too good for a handy field in the last three-year-old feature of 2022-23.

"I thought she was pretty impressive," Miller said.

"She's come good with a bit of maturity and will improve again with another 12 months under her belt.

"I think we've got a lot to look forward to."

Miller said, although Alvarinho raced keenly in the early stages, Muhcu then got her to relax and she was able to give a good kick in the straight.

The Tough Speed filly got home by two lengths from the consistent Fake Magic with Galan 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Trainer John Blacker and jockey Siggy Carr were both delighted to win the Vale Dean Holland Handicap named in memory of the Victorian jockey who sustained fatal injuries in a race fall at Donald earlier in the week.

They teamed up to score with consistent mare Dawn Eagle.

"Dean came over lots of times and rode winners for us and I got to know his mother working through RISA so everyone is thinking of the family," Blacker said after Dawn Eagle finished too strongly for the favourite Dantes and I'm Krupt.

Carr said she was "super, super sad" but nonetheless thrilled to win Holland's race.

"Everyone down here is thinking of the family - we were all so fond of Dean and know how special he was," she said.

"My partner Troy (Baker) was an apprentice with him and we had some really good times together which we will now cherish forever."

It was only the second win in 21 starts for Dawn Eagle but she has been minor-placed eight times.

"Even though there's a bit of travelling involved to get down here from Longford, she seems to race best on this track," Blacker said.

"She ran home well at her previous start over 1400m and finished in front of Dantes so that form has held up."

Carr finished the meeting with a treble, also scoring on Geegeeluckystar for trainer Stuart Gandy and Gee Gee Miss Quita.for the Team Wells operation.

Sidmouth harness trainer Mark Jones beat an American buyer to the punch to secure former Victorian four-year-old Will He Pike and it looks like being a good move.

Will He Pike, driven by the trainer's son Malcom, won his second Tasmanian race from only four starts in the Find Us On Facebook Pace at Mowbray on Sunday night.

Just like when he won in Hobart at his local debut, it was over the sprint trip and he led all the way.

His mile rate for the 1680m was a quick 1:56.2 as he scored by just over three metres from Jackson Neptune and Major Lester.

Jones told the Tasracing web site that Will He Pike cost "a fair bit" and he was lucky to get him as he had almost been sold to America.

He now shares ownership of the gelding with four stable clients.

"I expect him to get to free-for-all class," the trainer said.

Malcom Jones missed Will He Pike's previous win while away on holidays but was back in the sulky this week and rated the horse nicely, to the delight of punters who sent him out a clear favourite at $2.70.

Well-bred filly Big Energy made a winning debut for new trainer Brian Mackrill in the 6TY Stakes with some help from a gun drive.

Dylan Ford went back at the start from barrier seven and settled last before eventually improving his position with inside runs.

He ran up behind the leaders approaching the home turn then got into the clear at the top of the straight, allowing Big Energy to storm home and open her account at start No. 4.

The half-sister to a string of very smart horses was previously trained by part-owner and breeder Rohan Hillier.

Her dam Flo Jo Fernandaz has now produced nine individual winners of 91 races.

Hillier got a winner of his own when Jimmy The Irishman maintained his unbeaten Tasmanian record in the fast-class race over 2698m.

The $1.28 favourite was patiently driven - racing behind the leader then one-one - before scoring by just over 3m from Colby Sanz with Mister Gently close up in third place.