Gordons Bay finishes too well for Tasmania Easter Cup win

Former New South Wales pacer Gordons Bay (Captaintreacherous) scored his biggest win in Tasmania when he flashed through with an inside run to take out an exciting $75,000 Ladbrokes Easter Cup at Launceston on Saturday evening.

In the process he gave his local trainer driver Charlie Castles one of his biggest successes.

In yet another action packed event favourite Horatius Speculo showed enough early speed to take the lead. Maebee had the trail behind the leader with De Goey being wide early on. However with just on two laps left to travel Jordan Chibnall on the backmarker Magnetic Terror made a lightning burst around the field to catch the leaders napping and go to the front.

Maebee then went to sit outside the leader while Horatius Speculo was pocketed behind Magnetic Terror and De Goey now had the one out and one back trail.

Magnetic Terror seemed to be holding his rivals as Horatius Speculo was looking for a run.

Gordons Bay who was three back on the rails never the left the inside as Castles negotiated his way through to virtually sprout wings to snatch victory over Horatius Speculo who kept battling on with De Goey narrowly away in third place.

However following the event Rohan Hillier on De Goey issued a protest against Horatius Speculo which was subsequently upheld. Magnetic Terror who looked the likely winner finished out of a place in fourth placing.

The race obviously changed complexion when Horatius Speculo gave away the lead but its questionable as to whether he would have won.

After the event driver Charlie Castles commented

It all just opened up. It was more luck than anything. That’s his go if he can get a soft trip and sprint home like he did he’s always in the race. The tempo was Ok and a few moves mid race from some other horses, really helped us get a bit closer. It was just great. He had a fair few problems for a while so to get him has been very special.

While in New South Wales under James Rattray Gordons Bay won the TAB Regional Championship at Menangle in May 2023 and a week he took out the Final of the TAB State Regional Final also at Menangle.

Now an eight year old gelding he was purchased subsequently purchased in 2025 by local identities Peter Cooley and Paul Dolden.

Earlier in the night Tasmania’s leading pacer Triedtotellya (Well Said) had to come off 30 metres to win the Kevin Gillies Memorial after having to race outside the leader but he fought on to hold off Ray Dan who finished strongly ahead of Montgomery Burns. Triedtotellya is now bound for Perth for the $1.25 million Nullabor on 17 April which will be his biggest test to date.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink