Flaming Roadstar (Daryl Douglas), from its second row draw, was responsible for the biggest run in the race having to do it hard for much of the journey. To finish such a close second to the winner suggested he will be competitive in the major races to be held in coming weeks. 

The scratchings from the field were the stablemates, the well performed Victorian Ultimate Mark and Dontfencemein NZ. The previous day trainer Andy Gath discovered both to have been a little sore after running around their paddock during an electrical storm in the Melton area. An X-ray indicated no serious damage had occurred to either pacer, with Gath opting to take no chances.  

Some minutes prior to the start of the race, well known form analyst Bill Hutchison told thousands watching an extended coverage from Hobart obartHobarton Sky Channel that Manwarra Goforgold was a ‘certainty’ if the horse could get the lead early in the race and then dictate its own terms. On Super Tab, its price in the last four minutes tumbled from $3.30 to be a clear favourite at $2.60, in spite of continued support for Robin Hood. 

When the tapes flew back, Zonda NZ began best to lead, with Chris Alford then prepared to allow the favourite to take up the running on the first turn rather than become involved in an early battle for that position when Brian Gath took Manwarra Goforgold in search of the front spot. 

Dee Dees Dream (Aaron Dunn) threw away its chances by galloping at the start, having then to bring up the rear for more than a lap. after one lap, the favourite led from Flaming Roadstar, which Douglas had taken forward in a hurry to lead the outside line. Zonda NZ was on the back of the leader; the rank outsider Trouble No More was fourth, while buried away on the pegs mid-field was Graeme Lang with Advance Attack NZ. 

With one lap to go, Daryl Douglas (Flaming Roadster) elected to pour the pressure on the favourite with his horse to ensure Manwarra Goforgold was not having things too easy in front. 

Meanwhile, Gavin Lang, who had been able to steer Robin Hood past two rivals early in the race, was biding his time back mid-field trying to give the backmarker a relatively easy run in the middle stages, just as he had done the previous week when winning in Melbourne. 

After passing the bell, Graeme Lang worked off the inside with Advance Attack NZ and for a moment seemed likely to be capable of staking a claim to finish in the prizemoney. But then, Trouble No More, under severe pressure to retain its position, broke into a wild gallop, dropping right into the lap of Advance Attack NZ and delivering a KO blow to that horse. 

Up the home straight, despite having a tough run, Flaming Roadster had the audacity to stick on well, making Gath pull out all stops to hang on and win with the favourite. The local Yakuza turned in a solid effort to finish third, just ahead of Zonda NZ and Fleet Express. 

At face value it might have seemed Robin Hood’s sixth was disappointing. However, such is the depth in Grand Circuit racing these days that a 20-metre back mark is tougher to cope with than many might realise.

The last half mile was low flying for Tasmania with Manwarra Goforgold forced to pace this in a fast 56.5 seconds; the final quarter in 28.4. The overall mile rate was 2:00.8.  

It is obvious Manwarra Goforgold has this season taken the next step, while Robin Hood has regained that great form it displayed two years ago before being plagued by nagging feet problems that led to extended spells in the paddock. It did not contest the Bendigo Cup, probably being saved for the PETstock Ballarat Cup on 26 January, a race it won two years ago.  

The forthcoming big race at Ballarat promises to attract all the major names in Australasian pacing as it is likely to include the northern stars restricted from racing by the recent outbreak of equine flu in Queensland and parts of NSW.