New scenery delivers first-up success

Roucheaux dominant at first start for Jessie Bazan.

A newcomer to the Jessie Bazan Stable made a one-act affair of the 1650m maiden in Devonport on Wednesday.

Rocheaux, formerly trained by Cameron Thompson, sat on the pace for most of the race before bursting clear to win comfortably.

The 4YO was having his 10th overall start and had some support firming from $11 to $7.50.

"He seems to have settled in really well, he's a lovely horse to deal with, he's got a lovely action and seems to be enjoying himself.

"He had some form up in Queensland that we hoped would translate to the Tapeta (synthetic surface) so hopefully he is in for a nice season," Bazan said.

Another stable newcomer was equally impressive winning the 1009m maiden with ex- Victorian Bluff Point scoring an all-the-way win.

Now trained by Leanne Gaffney, Bluff Point was heavily backed to start the $2.25 favourite on debut in Tasmania and never looked like losing.

"We've actually had her a long time, she was quite sick when she was loaded on to the boat to bring her over and she was sick here for nearly six months, definitely a really good gutsy win," Gaffney said.

Gie It Laldy ($8) was an eye-catching second, coming from the tail around the home turn and should be winning soon.

Gaffney went onto bookend the meeting when Bankrollbenny defied a betting drift ($5 – $8.50) to win the 0-60 (1350m).

The improving 3YO has now won two of his past three starts.

Another relative newcomer to the state, Gunship, was far too good in the 1150m Class 1 after a flawless ride by Taylor Johnstone.

The 3YO, formerly trained by Team Hawkes in Sydney was bought to contest some feature races but there were excuses for his poor performances at his first few appearances.

"We bought him for that 3YO race on Launny Cup Day but he just got lost, he finished up on the outside fence, he just couldn't get around the Launny corner but he always worked good here and the shades (blinkers) sharpened him up," Hamer said.

Winning tip

John Blacker gave punters a leg up, declaring Champagne Cinders ($6) the best of his team going to Devonport, and the mare didn't let the side down.

Taken straight to the front by Chelsea Baker, Champagne Cinders gave a strong kick when challenged and went to win by more than a length in the  BM60 Hcp, (1009m).

"She's a beauty; sometimes she can be a little bit tardy away; we were pretty confident with how she has been working, a bigger gap between runs, and she loves the synthetic, and she won really convincingly," Baker said.

Time for a celebration

Moorboozie ($12 – $5) landed some good bets, getting back to his favourite track where he has scored all three career wins.

Although his form on the grass had been far from flattering, Moorboozie came from well back to beat Hellot ($9) narrowly. They put six lengths on the field in the 1880m 0-64 Hcp.

The win completed a race-to-race double for rider Chelsea Baker.

Another track specialist Carneros ($7) found his best form back on home surroundings to come from well back and overhaul Muscle Up ($3.50) to win the BM68 Hcp (1350m).

Carneros has raced seven times in Devonport for three wins and three placings.

"He's had two runs back, and they've been awful, to say the least, but he does race well here on his home track, so it didn't surprise me," trainer Barry Campbell said after the race.


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