Topline Doovee Returns In Impressive Fashion
The invitation-class race looked on paper as a tough challenge for the Michael Stringer trained chaser to take on first up, with recent St Ledger winner Eagle Eye, and in-form dog Fisherman both drawn inside her.
But it was made a one-act affair as soon as the lids opened, and she had sped to a handy lead after only a few strides. Unlikely challenger, Itsa Bond, tried hard to make a race of it, but it seemed nothing could stop Doovee once she found the lead.
The final margin was seven and a half lengths over Itsa Bond, with Fisherman running into third and Eagle Eye being caught up mid-field early on to run sixth. The winning time of 25.45 was clearly the best of the day, and took a further length of her previous best.
The recent Topgun invitee had not been sighted since the Wangaratta Cup final in June, and obviously the time off had done Topline Doovee well, as it enabled her to take her stellar career to 22 wins, 4 placings off only 30 starts, including wins in th W.A Oaks, Silver Trophy at Hobart and Devonport Cup consolation. Along with her placing in last year's Hobart Thousand final, her winnings now exceed over $88,000, and at only two and a half years of age, that figure is bound to grow before her racing time is over.
Tasmania's only other Topgun hope, Big Moose, returns from a four-week spell in another high-quality invitation at Hobart on Thursday night.