Back-to-back in Tasbred finals for Longfellow

The Emma Stewart-trained Longfellow added another feature race win to his resume when scoring in the Group 2 Tasfreight Raider Stakes in Launceston on Sunday night.

Sent out as the $1.06 favourite, reinsman Allan McDonough worked forward to find the lead after the first 400m in the 2698m event.

Having the race run on his own terms, Longfellow shook off the second elect Iylac Beach in the home straight on his way to a 10.8m win.

The mile rating was 1m 58.4s, eclipsing the track record of 1m 59.1s, which was held by Blue Pointer in December 2014, although it is rare to see a mobile start event run over that distance.

“He is a good horse this one, full credit to Emma and Clayton (Tonkin), and I would like to thank them for the drive,” McDonough said in his post-race interview.

The Bettors Delight gelding started his career in Tasmania and was purchased out of the state in August 2021. He has risen through the grades, claiming his first Group 1 in the Easter Cup earlier this year.

He is currently the only Tasmanian-bred pacer inside the top 36 for the upcoming Inter Dominion, ranked equal fifth.

It was an excellent night for Allan McDonough, who trained and drove Blitzern to victory in the first heat of the $50,000 Lees Orchard Tassie Golden Apple.

At his first standing start try, the Western Terror entire stepped safely in the 2200m event before progressing around the field to find the lead at 1400m.

McDonough allowed the $1.55 favourite to bowl in quarters of 29.8s, 29.5s, 28.0s and 27.7s, making it hard for the handicap runners to get into the race.

The official winning margin was 24.3m, and the mile rate of 1m 58.7s was just 1.1s outside Ryley Major’s track record.

“He was good, and he is pretty lazy when he gets out in front.

“I brought him over here to try and avoid Emma and Clayton’s good ones. He will head home and come back for the final, and then he has the Vicbred series after that,” said the trainer-driver.

Another heat of the Tassie Golden Apple is scheduled for 27 November.

More interstate interest is expected after several pacers have been seen in standing start trials in Victoria in recent weeks.

The Final will be held on Saturday night, 3 December.