The depth of talent in Tasmania's harness racing three-year-old ranks was on show in Launceston on Sunday night in preludes of the state's sires' stakes races.
In the Globe Derby prelude for colts and geldings three stars in their own right flashed across the line with narrow margins separating the trio.
Rocknroll Turbo emerged the victor by a few centimeters from Usain Jolt with race leader Harjeet a similar margin away third.
Rocknroll Turbo ($2.30 favourite), trained at Beauty Point by Rohan Hillier who also drove the colt, said very little separates the first three across the line.
"I was very happy with how my horse performed tonight but the first three across the line will improve from that run and probably the barrier draw and luck in running will play a big role in the outcome of the final," Hillier said.
Harjeet ($3) led from gate four while Hillier snagged his charge back at the start to settle one-out-one-back with the well-backed Usain Jolt ($3.80) also eased out of the early speed battle from barrier six to settle last.
When Harjeet's driver Barrie Rattray tried to slow the pace slightly entering the back straight the last time Duggan eased Usain Jolt out three-wide to make his move but it also allowed Rocknroll Turbo to find his back for a cart home.
When the pressure was applied in the home straight it became a survival of the fittest with Rocknroll Turbo getting up in the last bound.
The Bandbox prelude for fillies resulted in another close finish between Playing Arkabella (Rohan Hillier) and the favourite El Jays Mystery (Ricky Duggan).
Hillier tried to pinch a winning break when he sent Playing Arkabella around the field to assume control leaving the back straight the last time but under strong driving from Duggan the favourite gained the upper hand right on the line.
El Jays Mystery, prepared at Karoola by Dick Eaves, was heavily backed to start the $2.10 favourite while Playing Arkabella had her share of supporters firming from $5 to start $4.40.
Duggan was content with his filly's effort but he was concerned about her breaking gait soon after the start.
"I'm going to suggest a slight gear change to Dick (Eaves) that might stop this filly from breaking at the start," Duggan said.
Peter Staples