Top juvenile Western Hero could cross the Bass Strait and run in Melbourne after confirming his status as Tasmania’s best juvenile at Launceston on the weekend.

The classy youngster couldn’t have been more impressive – racing clear of his rivals to win by four and three quarter lengths in the Tasmanian Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

A member of the Terence Evans stable, Western Hero was purchased by The Horse Racing Tragic Syndicate for just $11,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. He’s now won almost $150,000.

“We’ll wait till the dust settles but you’ve got to think about (Melbourne),” Evans told The Examiner. “You don’t get horses like this very often.”

“He’s had a long preparation but he’s had a couple of little breaks and he’s a horse that doesn’t waste any energy on trackwork.”

“He’s like any good sportsman – he relaxes in his stall and goes to sleep while he’s waiting for his race to come around.”

The win in the Sires’ Produce Stakes on Saturday provided the stable with back to back wins following Pittenweem’s win 12 months earlier.

“There’s no comparison,” Evans said, declaring Western Hero a clearly better galloper.

Bred by Sue Monks and sold through her Springfield Stud draft at the Launceston based Tasmanian Yearling Sale last year, Western Hero is a son of star Grenville Stud stallion West Quest.

Western Hero is the first named foal for Horkins Nancy, a four time winning Made of Gold half sister to Malaysia’s Perak Derby winner Fast Flying.

The family also includes Victorian and South Australia Derby winner Rebel Raider, Queensland Oaks heroine A Little Kiss and crack Hong Kong based miler Able One.