Dad And Dave has delivered trainer Ciaron Maher his second success in the Tasmanian Derby, taking out the three-year-old highlight at Elwick Racecourse.
The Time Test gelding becomes the seventh runner to claim both the Launceston Guineas and the Tasmanian Derby.
Maher’s initial triumph in the three-year-old event was alongside David Eustace, courtesy of the multiple Group 1 victor Explosive Jack back in 2021.
Stable representative Nikki White noted that the gelding keeps surpassing expectations.
“He’s sort of been a bit of a dark horse,” she said.
“We didn’t screw him down as much at home, but we just knew we had potential to obviously get out and trip and it’s paid off.
“When I sort of saw him back three-wide, I thought, ‘you know, you’ve got to ride this horse ugly to be able to produce him’, and it worked out.”
When asked about targeting other Derbys, White said: “We possibly will. We’ll see how he comes back through this and we’ll make a plan after that.”
Even with a wide barrier draw on the day, Eoin Walsh managed to position the $3.30 favourite midfield, one off the rail, with a circuit remaining on the Hobart track.
The Irish jockey shifted to the three-wide trail and started gathering momentum in the gelding midway through the contest, posing a serious threat on the home bend.
The gelding’s stamina prevailed in the closing stages, hitting the front and pulling clear of competitors to win by three quarters of a length.
Consecutive LR wins for Time Test 3yo DAD AND DAVE in the Tasmanian Derby following his win in the Launceston Guineas@cmaherracing @WindsorParkStud @KarakaChat @OhukiaLodge @NZTM_TWEET @littleavondale @_TJK_pic.twitter.com/5y7hshmc0k
— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) February 6, 2026
Walsh expressed satisfaction with the early race flow.
“I was pretty confident going into the first bend, I thought ‘geez, we’re going to go a good one as long as they don’t steady them up,’ he said.
“But no, a lovely genuine tempo and my lad was the best stayer in the race today.
“I was just following him on one I got stuck behind last day as well, and that’s why I popped out three wide, just to get my lad going, because I could see my native friend John Allen (Colizzi) was travelling well down the inside.
“I just wanted to get him in a pocket, but my horse is still just racing a little lazy still.”
Dad And Dave held off the David and Coral Feek-prepared Colizzi ($8), while Patrick and Michelle Payne’s Helioson ($12) finished another half-length back in third. Check out the top Australian betting sites for similar racing action.
The post Watch: Dad And Dave’s Tasmanian Derby Delight first appeared on Just Horse Racing.