Crosswell's Vintage Derby Triumph

ASTUTE trainer David Crosswell celebrated an overdue feature race win when Highland Vintage recorded a last-stride victory in Tuesday's Rapidvite Tasmanian Country Derby Final (452m) at Devonport.

 The son of El Grand Senor and She's All Class began well from box seven, burning straight to lead by the top turn with a handy break but coming towards the wire. Challenges came hard and fast, which saw the black chaser dig deep, staving off a late run from Buckle Up Rhonan.

It was a desperately tight photo, with the judge declaring Highland Vintage the winner, scoring by a head.

The Longford-based Highland Vintage has now won seven races from 18 starts with $15,645 in prizemoney.

"A great result – it's been a while since our last big win," David Crosswell told.

"I don't think we've seen the best of Highland Vintage or Vintage Dancer just yet; it was a concern whether they would be stuck running just 300-metres, but with time I think like their sire, they've matured and can handle further a lot better.

"Between the two dogs Vintage Dancer is quicker time wise, though he suffered plenty of interference from box three when Atley Quick was desperately tying to get up the track, they're a good litter and to have won 26 races so far is great," he added.

Tuesday's victory in the Tasmanian Country Derby was a second success in seven years for Crosswell, following Chicka Scott's win in 2013, having then being purchased from Queensland, the son of Surf Lorian retired in 2016 with 11 race wins.

Crosswell says the current climate of the industry in Tassie has resisted his temptation from breeding recently.

"I was keen on breeding with a bitch I had here but with all the hurdles of paper work and just the mucking around was a waste of time. She's All Class has a seven-month-old litter by Aston Dee Bee which I've kept a couple from and that will keep me going for a while," said David.

"We'll head to Hobart next week for the heats of the Owners & Trainers Series, both these pups are still in low grade down there and I'll try to use them up and take them along slowly. Once they reach 2 ½ years of age is when they will really hit their full potential."

The TAB Tasmanian Country Oaks final, worth $3,000 to-the-winner, was also staged at Devonport, with Allan Clark's Lady Danger jumping from box four to win by 3 ½ lengths from Shadows No More and Chilled Out in 25.65.