Steparty breaks drought, set to stay in Tasmania

The 2026 Wrest Point Thomas Lyons Stakes delivered on its promise as one of the best weight-for-age races ever run in the state, with Victorian visitor Steparty winning in Hobart on Sunday.

The Paul Preusker-trained Steparty ($2.70 fav) hadn’t won a race since September 2023, but the five-year-old gelding broke his drought in fine style, defeating superstar local Durazzo ($3.50), who was brave in defeat, with another visitor, Welwal ($6), finishing third.

The win was part of a Cup Day double for Preusker, who won earlier in the day with No Rumours ($2.70), while winning jockey John Allen had a day out with three winners of his own.

“He’s a good honest horse, just things have got to go right. I thought the trip over here and a drop back in grade would help, and hopefully we keep rolling on,” Preusker said.

Steparty won the first five races of his career, the most recent being a Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude in 2023. His Thomas Lyons victory takes his total prize money past $1.8 million.

John Allen gave Steparty the run of the race, landing in a midfield position, and making a run down the centre of the track in the home straight.

“I think he might’ve forgotten how to win a little bit as I picked the runner-up easy at the 100m mark and I felt as if I was going to win going away, but he started pulling up on me late,” Allen said.

After a slow start, Durazzo was a big run in second place, and the quinella are likely to meet again in the Listed Hellova Street Stakes over 1600m in Launceston on 25 February.

“He can have a holiday over here away from me and hopefully improve,” said Preusker, confirming that Steparty is stabled with John Keys at Seven Mile Beach during his time in Tasmania.