Wilton's ‘Tactical' Hobart Success

TACTICAL Emperor gave trainer John Wilton, one of Tasmania's great characters, his first Hobart winner in over eight years when he scored an upset win in a Masters 461m event last Thursday night.

The son of Spring Gun and No Cash Ear showed plenty of pace soon after the start and setting up a handy break on the bend, he careered away to score a 1 ½ length victory over Take Guard in 26.30.

Owned and trained by Wilton at Brighton, Tactical Emperor opened his winning account at start 20.

"Tactical Emperor has been in the placings – finally he was able to put it together and I was thrilled with the result. Trials around Hobart indicated that he has ability and it seems to be his best track," said Wilton.

John Wilton's involvement with the code stretches well back to the early days of tin hare racing.

"My first dog was a pup I purchased in the seventies from Bob Wilson in New South Wales and I got the dog at five months and he was taught to wear a collar and lead – I used to walk him on the roads.

"I named him the Smooth Yodeler because of his barking and I gave him his first start at the TCA in a puppy series and at that time Charlie Morris would come from the mainland with a team," he said.

"Charlie had a pretty smart pup in the race who had ability and the experts knew about it. They said no one could beat it and my bloke won easily and that's how I got started in racing," John recalled.

John says his biggest claim to fame was making the 1981 Hobart Thousand with Approved By All.

"It was definitely a great thrill to make the final with Approved By All (Super Approval x Pictish Girl), he led the field and was running third in the straight – he was dragged down and ran last," he added.

Black Aztec for Harry Sarkis won the final over Worthy Weston claiming prizemoney of $5,000.

These days John tends to only have one dog in work, though he keeps busy running the Brighton Straight Track for many years, he is also a proud member of the GOTBAT alongside Chairman Graeme Barber.

"I used to play golf a fair bit, but time has caught up with me, so the dogs keep me fit," quipped Wilton.

"I've been fortunate to have trained some handy dogs over the years, it's a hobby and I love the sport."