By Glenn Davis
Caloundra speedster Tarzan showed he was no Jane with a dominant all the way win in the Tim Bell Memorial Open Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
Despite a horror draw, Tarzan was driven straight to the front by apprentice Jackson Murphy and proved too strong by downing the fast finishing Cannyescent by a half length in the 1110-metre dash.
In His Stride was third, a further 1-1/4 lengths away.
Tarzan has been a model of consistency this campaign which kicked off with a brilliant win over Tumbler in the Listed Lightning Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on June 2.
Since the Lightning, Tarzan was beaten on a heavy track in the Listed Hinkler Handicap at Doomben in June before two close seconds behind Ringo’s A Rockstar on his home track at the Sunshine Coast.
Tarzan, who is regarded as a Sunshine Coast specialist and holds the 1000-metre track record there, has now won 11 of his 27 starts with prizemoney of $336,200.
Trainer Stu Kendrick pulled a master stroke with his decision to engage Murphy whose three-kilogram claim paved the way for him leading all the way.
Kendrick is currently on holidays but said before the race that Tarzan likes to get out and lead and with the claim he came in only a half a kilo over the limit.
Earlier Toowoomba trainer Matt Kropp was the least surprised when Trusty Lad caused an upset in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1630m).
Trusty Lad, ridden by Jim Orman, came from last in the five-horse field to down Red Stina by a nose with only a short head to third placegetter, Tatcee.
The son of Group 1 winner Reliable Man landed some hefty bets after firming from $21 before starting at $13.
Trusty Lad made his race debut at Toowoomba on July 7 when he ran fourth in a 1200-metre Two-Year-Old Maiden then beat one home behind the highly rated Miss Quaintly over 1600 metres at Doomben on July 21.
Kropp believed Trusty Lad’s inexperience under lights at Toowoomba may have contributed to his first start defeat.
“He’s been trialling like a real professional and he had his first run under lights and steamed home,” Kropp said.
“His next run he was stuck on the fence in the worst going and couldn’t get out.
“On his breeding he should get to 2000 metres but I’ll see how he pulls up before we find another race for him.”
Racing Queensland webnews August 4