Tassie Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s star filly eyes stakes glory

Most Australian Premiers look on racing as a cash cow for their budgets, Tasmania’s Jermey Rockliff is different he is cashing in on racing in a personal way.

The Tasmanian Premier owns a share in the Star Thoroughbreds’ Sanniya, a winner of six of her seven starts and maybe the best horse in the Apple Isle.

She will step out at Launceston on Wednesday, in the Vamos Stakes, looking to further her black type portfolio.

This time last year, Rockliff was trackside to watch her win the Gold Sovereign Stakes and has been to major meetings around as fan of the sport.

“What a thrill indeed, the heart is still pumping and when they say there is no better feeling than your horse winning, they are absolutely right,” he said after the Gold Sovereign.

Rockliff discloses his shareholding in his parliamentary register, which causes him some political problems as his government moves to shut down greyhound racing in the state.

He attempts to keep his ownership low key, which must be hard with a filly that won nearly $400,000 in prizemoney.

She was only a $67,500 purchase at the Magic Millions Tasmanian sale a couple of years ago.

Sanniya is a $1.60 favourite on Wednesday, even with the Hayes brothers sending Grid Girl over for the Group 3.

It will be the first time Sanniya has stepped up to 1400m, but on her Mystic Journey Stakes win earlier this month, trainer Barry Campbell thinks she will maintain her winning run.

“If they leave her alone early, then she’s hard to beat, but if they take her on and chop her up, then they might do damage to her, but they’ll do a lot more to themselves,” he said.