Consistent pacer Me Mate Les has been promising to win a feature race for some time and on Sunday night he finally delivered the goods when he powered home to take out the Light Harness Tasmania Cup over 2579 metres at Tattersall's Park in Hobart.
Me Mate Les went into the race on the back of a handy fourth in a heat a week earlier.
With ace Victorian reinsman John Caldow aboard, the gelded son of Real Desire trailed the leaders to the home turn before easing out three-wide to challenge and he finished too powerfully for his rivals.
Me Mate Les went on to score by four metres from Supersub that faced the breeze for the final two laps, with Might Jasper coming from well back to grab third 3-1/2 metres away.
The six-year-old has only been with trainer Andrew Rawlings a short while but he has managed to get the best out of the gelding while in his care.
It was a masterful drive from Caldow who was aware that Me Mate Les would not appreciate being in front if eye-balled by another horse so when Rohan Hadley sent Pushkin around the field Caldow was quick to hand up the lead.
Nathan Ford aboard Supersub was not content with the speed in the race so he too went forward from beyond midfield to face the breeze.
Supersub forged to the lead turning for home the last time but he had no answer to Me Mate Les's finishing burst.
Peter Staples