Inexperience proved to be no disadvantage for well-bred gelding Master Hanover at the harness racing meeting at Devonport on Monday night with the David Hayes-trained pacer proving too strong for his rivals in the Jeremy Rockliff Pace over 1930 metres.
Master Hanover (Keith Toulmin) was having only his second start and was coming off a sixth on debut behind Ryley Major in Launceston.
Toulmin allowed Master Hanover to settle worse than midfield off a solid speed set by Somedan while the well-backed Metro Mouse landed in the one-out-one-back spot.
When Toulmin called on Master Hanover for the supreme effort in the back straight the gelding unleashed a powerful sprint.
The Cardmaster Hanover gelding went on to score by a half-metre from Metro Mouse with Karalta Deluxe that was awkwardly placed three-back the fence for most of the race, an eye-catching third a half-metre astern.
The winner was bred by the Hayes family from their well-performed broodmare Mersey Torado that raced 11 times for four wins over four preparations before being retired due to injury.
This is Mersey Torado's second foal to race and she also has a weanling colt by Four Starzzz Shark.
Peter Staples