The growing rivalry between Tasmania’s weight-for-age stars went to a new level at Elwick today when Hellova Street toughed out a deserving win in the $100,000 Luxbet Thomas Lyon Stakes (1400m).

Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla pulled out all stops to get Hellova Street home over his Scott Brunton-trained stablemate Lord Da Vinci with arch rival Admiral third.

Admiral won the Thomas Lyons last year and has been the undisputed king of weight-for-age racing in Tasmania over the last two seasons.

Hellova Street and Admiral have clashed seven times over the last 18 months with today’s win only the second time Brunton’s six-year-old has beaten his year younger rival.

Lord Da Vinci had also met Admiral on two previous occasions but today was the first time he had got the better of the Barry Campbell-trained star.

Their rivalry is set to continue in Launceston later this month with Hellova Street to take on Admiral again in the $100,000 George Adams over 1600m at Mowbray on February 22.

“It will be a different story at Launceston as the mile at Mowbray is perfect for Admiral, he will be hard to beat,” Scott Brunton admitted.

Hellova Street continued a big Hobart Cup day for the Brunton stable, being their third winner in the first six races.

He is an Elwick specialist, having won six of his eight starts on his home track including three from four over the 1400m trip.

The gelding had finished second to Admiral in the Conquering Stakes (1400m) and Tasmanian Stakes (1600m) at Mowbray in December before he was sent to Melbourne for his most recent start at Caulfield where he again finished second over 1600m behind Burning Front.

Brunton said another trip to Melbourne would have to be considered after the Launceston carnival as there will then be a paucity of races for his gelding in Tasmania.

Barry Campbell said the track conditions contributed to Admiral’s defeat after the track was heavily watered following the Tasmanian Derby meeting on Friday due to concerns that it was too firm.

“I was not disappointed with the horse but I am disappointed with the track,” Campbell said.

“We’ll get him back to Launceston and a track that will suit him.”