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Full Noise by SN
"Big boilover": Tasracing's Hobart Cup review
Matt Reid • February 9th, 2026 1:23 pm
Blonde Star delivered the first Tasmanian-trained victory in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup since 2020, with a sensational staying performance in the $250,000 feature on Sunday afternoon.
The $31 chance caused a big boilover, edging out race favourite Ziryab ($3.20) in a race decided by the photo finish operator. The win delivered trainer Imogen Miller and jockey Erica Byrne Burke their greatest achievement in the sport.
“I guess it’s a bit of a surprise, but we knew she’d run well,” said Imogen Miller.
None of Blonde Star’s previous seven wins had been over further than 1880m, but she dispelled any myths over her staying credentials, sustaining a run after being flushed wide from the 800m mark, and setting a new 2400m track record time with the win.
“I thought her run was good last start, but maybe she wasn’t at her best, and she pulled up with a few little niggling issues, and we’re obviously very happy with her today,” said Miller, confirming that the Launceston Cup on 25 February will be the next target for the five-year-old mare.
Sunday’s race served as a mouthwatering entrée to the Launceston Cup in a couple of weeks, with last year’s Launceston Cup winner, Distrustful Award ($26), rattling home in third. Taramansour ($11) finished fourth in the Hobart Cup, with just 0.57 lengths separating the first four horses across the line.
For Premiership-leading jockey Erica Byrne Burke, her first Group win came as a very welcome surprise.
“I’m in disbelief, I didn’t believe it until I came back and saw the numbers,” said Byrne Burke.
“She was so good, I can probably say it now that I gave her a bad ride in the Devonport Cup, but to do this for Brendon (McCoull), Imogen, and all the owners is just great.”
Both trainer and jockey finished Cup Day with doubles, as Miller won the final race of the program with Navarre River ($3) immediately after the Cup win. Byrne Burke partnered the Adam Trinder-trained Prince of Khatun ($4.20) to a Class 6 (1000m) victory earlier in the program.
