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It’s an early start for Sunday’s nine-race program in Devonport where the opening event is scheduled for 11:10.
Small fields bookend the card but for the most part there appears good depth to a lot of the races which should result in a competitive days racing.
R1 Leigh Jordan One Agency Collins Real Estate Bm68 Hcp, 1650m
ROCK THE BOWLER (3) was a heavily supported favourite at the last Devonport meeting but couldn't really get warm until the race was over. The rise in distance looks perfect after two 1350m runs since arriving in Tassie. INCRIMINATE (5) comes through the same race where he appeared to have a reasonable time of it in front. It's fair to say he hasn't exactly savaged the line at either start this campaign, but he should enjoy a good run on pace with GEEGEES FIRST LADY (6) the only other logical speed runner. BARJEEL (1) had to make a sweeping run from the back last time and couldn't catch one that had a far more economical run. Interestingly connections chose to drop back to a mile. DARGO (2) will appreciate a bit of weight relief after finishing behind Dramazing who will have plenty of supporters at the other end of the program.
R2 Ladbrokes Mates Mode Maiden, 1009m
ROCK'EM BABY (8) debuts as a 4YO after a trial where she missed the kick badly but rounded the field up with ease. It will be much harder to win after blowing the start on race day, particularly over this trip. BOLD INSTINCT (10) was the most expensive purchase at the 2021 Tassie Magic Millions Sales but after three starts and just under $7k in prize money, he's now with a new stable. His winning trial was slightly slower than STARNOTE (12) with neither asked for maximum effort. Both are 2YO's taking on the older horses. LACERATE (2) faded badly on a soft track last week so it would be a strange setup to see him drop back in distance at home a week later. LIONROUND (7) will have likely improved since her only start and trialled in reasonable time for the day. STATUE OF DREAMS (9) bombed the start at the T&D last time so forgive that, particularly if keen that day. GEEGEES TONIC (11) is another debutante who finished alongside one in a trial who crossed the line just worse than midfield last Sunday in Hobart.
R3 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1350m
A huge late betting drift was an indicator of the unplaced run SILVER PERSUASION (9) would put in at the T&D last start. She was outside the leader there and plain given the winner raced wide without cover. A senior rider goes aboard for the first time in her career. EIGHT MARGARITAS (4) settled handy last time but couldn't wear down the leader in an on-pace dominated affair. This is her first look at the 1350m. RUNS LIKE WATER (6) interestingly debuts at 1350m with just the one recent 800m trial behind her. The market may provide a guide with the Adam Trinder stable having a pair of fancies in the race. SILENT LOVE (8) has enjoyed cushy runs at her past two and has a nice middle draw for the same again. SHAMMGOD (7) continues to run eye catching placings but can't find that elusive win. This is another good chance. The last start form hasn't held up well for EGAO (3) but she had a good margin on third there. OUR SONNY BOY (1) is another that's had a few chances but ran on well last time. Gate 1 might not be ideal for a horse that often settles in the back half of the field.
R4 Tasmanian Horse Transport Mdn/cl1, 1650m
NAMABAALE (3) was added to the list of recent stable plunges last start and was three-wide without cover in the process. Form for the previous stable suggests the mile won't be a negative. BIG JOHN (5) caught the eye rattling home there though the winner was entitled to tire late. The 5YO has always looked like a horse that will be better over ground, but he's shown no tactical speed in either start. SPIRITED TOFF (4) was a barrier 1 victim last time, with plans to lead quickly shelved when he was slowly away. That race was run to suit the leader with him and the likes of BELMISTA (1) and SWEETSOP (8) only able to take ground when the race was done and dusted.
R5 Thai Imperial Class 1 Hcp, 1150m
QUEEN'S THE WORD (7) defied a big market drift to lead all the way when resuming. She'll need to step cleanly from a low marble to repeat the dose and that form can receive a push earlier in the day. DAWN EAGLE (4) is first-up after racing against some handy types in her debut campaign. She has a pair of recent trial wins but a wide draw to contend with. LORD WHITEGATE (1) also draws off the track for his resumption. He comfortably had the scalp of DADORABLE (8) at the trials and she's since placed first-up, finding the 1009m a bit sharp. GEE GEES BUZZ (3) was caught wide in the same race but should enjoy a more economical run here. GEE GEE REAL DEAL (10) landed in the 1-1 last time so her run was a bit plain, particularly given a $3.80 SP. She rarely runs poorly, but in turn, rarely wins. REDOLLIX (2) is in line to make his Tassie debut after being scratched from a Hobart meeting a few weeks ago. His first-up record is quite strong. DREAMING TORONADO (5) won at her first Tassie start but subsequent runs have made that look like an anomaly. She's sharply back in trip with a month between runs.
R6 Lending 4 U Bm76 Hcp, 1150m
GEE GEE PLANE (3) just keeps winning at the T&D, now up to five wins from six starts. He's taken full advantage of gate 1 at his last two runs with Troy Baker having a slightly more awkward barrier to contend with here. He wore down JULIUS (7) last time who was first-up off a long break where a late betting drift suggested he may have needed the run. He was brave in defeat there, working to cross from the outside barrier and he has gate 1 second-up. ARTUSO (5) was caught wide at stages in that race and drops 6kg to be the weight horse from that formline. He rarely puts in a bad one at the T&D either. ETHICAL DILEMMA (2) resumes with a good first-up record. He will be back and running on with OUR LITTLE TED (1) so the ability for swoopers to get into the race will be pivotal for both. There was little between REWARD ACHIEVER (8) and ANCONA (4) in a recent trial, though the 1150m may suit the former more than the latter. WARRIOR PRINCE (6) was no match for some smart ones in Hobart but maps for a good run and stablemate BORDER PROTECTION (9) is a last start T&D winner in much easier grade. Almost an "F' leg to start the quaddie.
R7 Great Northern 0-62, 1009m
ETOSHA (1) was an impressive winner at the T&D to open the last Devonport program where she was simply too fast. The wide draw was no hinderance there, albeit in a field half the size. BETHPAGE (12) was a huge run at her first Tassie start, never better than three-wide she ran one that went interstate next start to within half a length. ZEGREY (7) would have to be a different horse for Adam Trinder than he was for John Blacker to be winning at this distance, but his trial pointed towards that being a possibility. GEE GEES CRICKET (5) and GEE GEE DEVONBOY (8) went around at big prices in better company last time but weren't beaten far. TROJAN STORM (2) will be rattling home from the back which will be a task over this distance with 60kg. RHYME WRITER (3) and GEE GEES TEARDROP (4) were at the head of the market last time in this grade. Gee Gees Teardrop was wide after receiving strong market support and gets the tongue tie on. Looks for a market lead on ISKRA (11) who resumes for a new camp, but previous form suggests she'll need a bit further to show her best.
R8 Kevin Sharkie Bm68 Hcp, 1350m
FREAK ON A LEAD (4) had a great tussle with IMAGINE HOWE (5) up the Hobart straight and finished with a photo that could have gone either way. That pair controlled the race from the front with the Trinder runner getting a 1.5kg swing and blinkers on returning to his new home track. SQUARE DONUT (6) was a surprise winner here last start, the tactics to lead being far different to his usual racing pattern. That form can receive a push earlier in the day but it's hard to see him getting such a soft time in front here. SKILENDRA (10) timed her run to perfection to grab HOT RELATION (7) in the shadows of the post at the T&D last start. The winning time was a couple of lengths quicker than Square Donut on the same day. FREELANCER (2) resumes with a pair of trial wins behind him. He hasn't delivered what he promised early in his career but still being a 4YO this may well be the campaign. LADY JOKER (8) caught the eye rattling home as she has the tendency to do from time to time. RISING HSIANG (1) won five of his first six starts for the stable but is now approaching 12 months without a victory, a stretch of 13 runs. TURK DELIGHT (3) has placed in over half his 11 starts at the track. His trial was in very fast time although he was beaten out of sight. Another deep quaddie leg.
R9 Young Racing Tasmania Bm62 Hcp, 1880m
Anthony Darmanin has quickly built a good association with DRAMAZING (2) comfortably winning both starts aboard the mare. Connections chose the 1880m option over staying at the mile in the first race on this program. ALWAYS A WINNER (3) has a 2kg swing on Dramazing for finishing second to her last start in a race where he was taken on in front. There looks to be less speed in this race on paper, with TEE JAY FRANKIE (6) the other potential leader. He has his own favourable weight swing on GEEGEES ROCK OPERA (4) who enjoyed the run of the race to win at the T&D last start. She rises 5kg and was safely held by Dramazing two starts ago. Blinkers go back on GREGORIAN CHANT (1) who hasn't been able to make an impression from back in the field at her last two starts. She was 1350m to 1880m last time so will likely have benefitted from that run.
