God’s Own gelding Inner Warrior demolished one of the best Tasmanian Guineas fields in decades on New Year’s Eve.

Set alight approaching the home turn, Inner Warrior circled the leaders and had the race won at the top of the straight.  He claimed the 1600m Listed event in Launceston by more than two lengths.

Inner Warrior (3g God’s Own – El Milagro by Encosta De Lago) had won the Tasmanian Sires’ Produce Stakes in May and he geared up for the Guineas with a convincing victory in the 3YO Trophy on December 18.

“He’s the real deal with a V8 motor,” trainer Terry Evans beamed.  “He isn’t a flash looking horse but when it comes to being a racehorse, he’s a thorough professional.

“He’s a pleasure to train and I had him right where I wanted him tonight.  I just heard someone call him a star and I’m here to say they got that right.”

Evans will now set Inner Warrior for the LR Tasmanian Derby (2200m) on Sunday, February 2.

“That was very special,” jockey Siggy Carr explained on Tuesday evening.  “I had to hold back the tears passing the post.  I’ve been on him since he arrived from the breakers.  On the corner I thought, ‘How far’ and that’s exactly how it turned out.  He’s unreal.”

Inner Warrior is by Greta West Stud stallion God’s Own who had sired 50 individual winners of $1.45 million by year’s end.  He’s in third place on the 2013-14 Victorian sires’ premiership behind Reset and Bel Esprit.