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International flavour in Devonport

Shogo Nakano rides his first Tasmanian winner.

Picture: Tasracing.com.au

Japanese rider Shogo Nakano opened his Tasmanian account in emphatic fashion with a winning treble in Devonport on Sunday.

Nakano is currently riding in Tasmania on a three-month visa and had notched three minor placings at his first two meetings in the state prior to Sunday.

All three of Nakano's winners came for leading trainer John Blacker, partnering Tizsa Nice Drop ($4.40) to a maiden victory, before Warica ($8.50) and Power Magnum ($17) both won BM60s to start the quaddie.

"He gets them going pretty good, this bloke doesn't he?" said John Blacker with a smile after the last of both he and Nakano's three winners.

Nakano has previously ridden in Mauritius, Macau and Japan and has an association with trainer Yassy Nishitani that brought about the opportunity in Tasmania.

Continuing the international theme on Sunday's eight-event card, Irish-born jockey Erica Byrne Burke also enjoyed a winning treble.

Byrne Burke  partnered with Respite ($2.90) and Cherokee Dancer ($1.60) for her former master, Adam Trinder, before Blonde Star ($2.80) was victorious in a BM76 (1880m) late in the day.

For Cherokee Dancer, it was the five-year-old mare's second Devonport win in as many weeks.

"She's a mare that doesn't do it at both ends; she likes to rest and finish, but fair play to her, she's had a very productive week," Adam Trinder said.

Blonde Star was another of Byrne Burke's winners who has enjoyed the recent stretch of Devonport racing; she was a winner at the track on 7 September.

"It's really good to see her racing so well at the track, because we'll maybe have a little aim at the Devonport Cup next time," said Brendon Mccoull on behalf of his partner, trainer Imogen Miller.

Byrne Burke's three winners continue her brilliant start to the 25/26 season, moving to 11 winners from 45 starters at a strike rate of 24.4%, and she has a three-win lead on the Premiership table.


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