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Preview: Hobart - Sunday, 8th May 2022

3 minute read

While many eyes will be on the Tasmania Jackjumpers over the back fence on Sunday afternoon, there is a quality card of racing in Hobart with a nine-event program headlined by a pair of $50,000 Autumn Classic races.

Picture: Racing and Sports

R1 The Mills New Norfolk Maiden, 1100m

NICCO THE GREEK (6) placed at the T&D on debut where he had little luck getting across from a wide barrier. He wasn't asked for anything in a recent trial. MOVE LIKE JAGGER (4) has been costly for punters this campaign and it's hard to see where the improvement comes from at start five this time in. BROADWAY BABE (9) gave the pack a big lead in her trial but chased them down well. 1100m is likely too short for her but she'll be strong late. LACERATE (3) is another coming in fresh. He beat some moderate performers at the trials in stylish fashion. He's only very lightly exposed on the grass, let alone a wet track. Stablemates STARS IN THE NIGHT (12) and WANE'S QUEST (8) also bring carpet form to the grass. The latter covered ground first-up in a race where Stars in the Night jumped favourite and appeared to have her chance. HER THOUGHTS (10) was towards the head of the market last time but couldn't make much impression in a race controlled by the leader. GEE GEES JOE BLOW (2) hit the line well at 1200m but that was a run which didn't point towards a drop in distance next start. BANCA TOM (1) comes via the same race and gets blinkers on for start two. 2YO debutantes ALVARINHO (13) and ENCHANTED SPY (15) take on the older horses after trial wins and the market may provide a guide there. ELMAJAY (14) is another 2YO but with race experience. The draw makes it hard for her, particularly given she's felt the pinch at the end of most of her races.

R2 Elwick Functions & Events Maiden, 1400m

Stablemates EAGLE STREET (4) and ZADE'S STORIES (13) ran well despite market drifts last time in a race won by another Seven Mile Beach tenant. From low draws they should land in forward spots again. TARKINE EAGLE (7) comes via the same race where he gave plenty of cheek from the front at a big price. It would be a surprise to see the market miss him again off that performance. ALPINE AVIATOR (2) was a rough watch for favourite punters in Devonport where he was wide without cover for the trip. Daniel Ganderton takes the ride this time and the horse jumps to 1400m on the seven-day back-up. ZEWINNA (14) was far from disgraced in better company last time, though the pace of that race played into the hands of horses like her that were outclassed. She's a month between runs now which may be a query up to 1400m for the first time. FRYER HILL (10) couldn't get into the race from the back but could be an improver off what she showed last campaign.

R3 Tasmanian Bloodstock Class 1 Hcp, 1400m

SALLY SUNSHINE (6) was a strong winner to start the Good Friday program. She didn't beat a lot there but had margins back through the field. She'll land in the first couple and showed she can handle the wet last start. FOUR LETTER WORD (5) arrived at just the right time to win her maiden two months ago. She had been up a while before then so the break between runs may have been a plan. I'M BACK (2) can have his win franked in the previous race. FAYERRA (3) finished ahead of stablemate OLYMPIC HONOUR (3) last time in a 1200m affair that did rate well for races over that distance on the day. NEED A FLUTTER (9) was in between that pair with LAKE BLED (11) and ROCKYMOUNTAINHIGH (12) further down the track.

R4 Ladbroke It! Tasmanian Sires Produce, 1400m

GEEGEE JET BY (1) justified his short price with a return win on Good Friday. He had the drop on the leaders but still had to knuckle down to grab UNIQUE GLOW (7) who did work in the early part of the race. You'd expect with the gap between runs that GeeGee Jet By had leading into last start that he will strip fitter, but he also rises 1kg in weight. SHARE THE GOLD (2) was no match for that quinella in Launceston which was run on a rain-affected track which could be relevant given the weather forecast. He sat outside the leader to win in Hobart where there was very little between HAPPY CLAN (3)ZULU ANGEL (4), JUST A NEEDS (8) and STARCADIA (9) among those in behind. If that's the right formline then a case could be made for them all, as most had at least minor excuses that day.

R5 Graham Family Funerals Mdn/cl1, 2100m

GOOD LUCK BOB (1) was disappointing here two starts ago but atoned with a good second at the T&D last time in a race where the winner was in a different class. Gate 1 might potentially be awkward given he's shown no gate speed in recent starts. STRIKE IMPACT (6) kept grinding away in an on-pace dominated affair last time to finish ahead of MELITON (2) who had the drop on the leaders. SUNSET GUN (7) was the even money favourite in that race, but the chasers couldn't make a lot of ground. At this stage of their campaigns, all three along with JUST FOR CURIOSITY (4) who comes via the same race, appear to have the grounding for their first go at 2100m. KHAN OF KHANS (5) most recently comes from the Matt Cumani stable where his form was only moderate. Fitness is unlikely to be an issue with a Terang jump-out since his latest run. STRAWBERRY KISS (11) placed over the trip on Good Friday and this race doesn't appear a lot harder.

R6 Kevin Sharkie 3yo Autumn Classic, 1400m

TURK WARRIOR (1) has now won just one of his last four starts which came when Codi Jordan allowed him to free roll in front over 1100m at this track. Subsequent runs have seen him held up on slow tempos where he hasn't been able to show his brilliance with 60kg. Tuesday's Devonport trial indicated he may be cut loose this time around. VERBANO (6) had the right run but made reasonably light work of older and more experienced horses when she resumed. She had a similar setup earlier in the year and drops 3.5kg as she comes back to her own age group. MONTE BIANCO (8) has been freshened since an impressive 1400m win in late March. She'll be back and hitting the line so a watch on the track pattern will be important for her, as well as the fact she has a nomination for Sandown on Wednesday. RICH CLAN (2) comes in on a hat-trick of wins, the latest franked when Freak On A Lead won at the last Hobart meeting. EPIC SONG (3) has been up a long time but wasn't asked for a lot in her recent trial. Blinkers come off and she'll likely be on the speed along with FINXY (4)GEE GEE SNOWFLAKE (7) continues to hold form well and looks ready for 1400m at her seventh start for the campaign.

R7 The Tasmanian Wine Centre Open Hcp, 1400m

One of last season's top 3YO's HELA (5) looks set to resume her race career. After being scratched at the last two grass meetings this appears a targeted kick-off point, and her trials point towards her being ready to go first-up. At 54kg Dean Holland has come across for the ride, leaving David Pires to ride SIR SIMON (4). The big grey did some work resuming when unable to cross to the inside, but he drops 5.5kg and the wetter the better for him. TAVIRUN (3) and AMAWORD (3) filled the exotics in that race, the drop to 1400m appearing to suit Amaword much more than Tavirun. BLAZE FORTH (2) knocked off a hot pot that goes around at Caulfield on Saturday last start. He's never been a Hobart horse, but he stays down in the weights and a wet track won't impact him. LIM'S CRUISER (1) was a big run at Bendigo but carrying 64kg is a huge ask if he's here. VALLABAR (7) goes very well in the wet and is a last start winner that plummets in weight with EBB claiming 3kg at this meeting.

R8 Carlton & United Breweries Class 3 Hcp, 1200m

NEED TO BE UNIQUE (1) has built an impressive career record in just six starts. His Devonport trial was in fast time and the two that placed behind him ran good races last Sunday. CRYSTAL PALLAZO (11) is chasing a hat-trick, leading throughout at his previous two. There does look to be a bit of speed in this race and any track pattern will be established by this stage of the day. OUR SHINKANSEN (12) and AMANCAYA (10) crossed the line together from well back in the field last time. Up to 1200m looks more suitable for both. PRISTINE IMAGE (2) is an ex-Symon Wylde horse and new trainer Sarah Cotton will be hoping this horse runs like Wylde's did at Warrnambool through the week. He was held together in a Hobart trial, but all his wins have come on good rated tracks. TERRACOTTA (9) hasn't done a lot wrong since she arrived in Tassie, largely in similar races to this. TRUE SCOTSMAN (3) and FIGHTING FLOYD (4) both resume. They draw opposite sides of the track and will likely be making runs from back in the field. ENSNARE (5) over-raced in front last time but still boxed on OK. This is start 11 for his campaign. Brunton-trained pair KEEPER'S TOUCH (6) and YARRA MASTER (7) aren't without some hope in a deep quaddie leg.

R9 Happy 40th Birthday Damian Bm62 Hcp, 1100m

SHARMA RAMA (4) couldn't have been more impressive winning back-to-back races in Launceston. She's shown she can handle all surfaces and looks a leading player again. VETLANDA (5) was another Good Friday winner, allowed to do as she pleased in front, she gave a good kick in the home straight to beat Turk Warrior who can frank the form earlier in the day. There does appear to be considerably more pressure in this race on paper. MAKE A DECISION (7) was a big run on the same program. Back to 1100m second-up doesn't look ideal, nor does gate 2 for a horse that's settled in the back half at both previous starts. KUROSET (2) and TIESTO (6) drop significantly in class off recent runs but also fall into a category where dropping to 1100m perhaps isn't the perfect option. IVORYMAN (1) is an opportunist who did just that to run into the minor money last time. He'll carry a big weight with Pires aboard. ZAGAME (11) can bob up fresh, scoring both of her career wins first-up.


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