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Thoroughbred racing is on the grass this week with an eight-race program in Hobart.
R1 It's Why We Race Open Hcp, 1100m
MUSIC ADDITION (2) was a plunge landed at his first Tassie run and then gave a smart one too big a start last time out. Both his efforts for the stable have been in Hobart and he should appreciate a few kilos off his back. Both SAVS FINALE (1) and CORONATION KEITH (3) resume with good first-up records and finished alongside each other in a recent trial. Both likely want a bit further than 1100m, however the market may provide a guide. GEEGEE TRENDSETTER (4) was fair first-up and has generally been a better grass horse in her career. IVORYMAN (6) plummets in weight but the small field might make it tough for him to be smothered up for a short sprint which is what he needs. REWARD ACHIEVER (5) is on the quick back-up after a good fresh run last week.
R2 Mcdonald's North Hobart 3yo Maiden, 1100m
Black book runs don't come any more obvious than the first-up effort of NICCO THE GREEK (3). After being slowly away he then covered the near width of the Hobart straight to find clear air. He'll be short off that, with the negative being that his first-up run was clearly his best last campaign. Nicco was knocked off by one from the same yard who had blinkers for the first time, a scenario that MOVE LIKE JAGGER (2), EXPENSIVE MISTAKE (1) and HER THOUGHTS (12) have this time around. WANE'S QUEST (5) had support at a big price last time and only missed a place when the swoopers arrived. FAIRY MAGIC (8) is a debutante who hasn't trialled since November last year where she finished behind a pair that have since won races. Off small volume, trainer Sarah Cotton has an excellent career record with a 19% winning strike rate but she's just 2/28 this season. TARKINE EAGLE (4) has given cheek in front at his past couple but now drops sharply in distance. GEE GEE CHORIS (10) hasn't raced since an unplaced effort as a 2YO in January last year. The draw likely dictates that she'll be back and trying to hit the line.
R3 Off The Track Maiden, 1600m
EAGLE STREET (3) was a market mover up in distance last time but had to burn some petrol early after stepping a little slowly. He was far from disgraced and will have supporters again. ARCUCCI (8) was right at the other end of the market but made a mockery of her $91. She warrants far more respect off that performance. ZEWINNA (14) comes through the same race where she finished just better than midfield. She'll strip fitter but at the time of writing has no jockey booked. STRIKE IMPACT (7), KHAN OF KHANS (5), JUST FOR CURIOSITY (4) and FURTHER NORTH (10) come back in distance from a 2100m race at the last Hobart program. Strike Impact led there and may again with I'M VERY HAPPY (12) the only other noted speed runner. CORONATION APACHE (2) looks a big grinding type from his trials so it's no surprise to see his career start over a mile. Connections have obviously been patient with the 4YO so the market may provide a lead. SHAMMGOD (13) was entitled to finish strongly last week and now steps out to 1600m for the first time in her 16-start career.
R4 Bec Thomas Mayor Of Glenorchy Maiden, 1200m
SISTINE (11) takes on the older horses after a pair of runs where she didn't quite live up to market expectation but had a few excuses as well. It looked like Siggy Carr was trying to teach her to settle in a recent that trial that she won with ease. BROADWAY BABE (4) returned with her typical strong finish last time to run third and that form can be franked earlier in the day. She's proven a hard horse to trust but this race drops away very quickly. Stablemate SIGNTHECHEQUE (8) has had a freshen and a couple of gear changes for her first-up assignment. She can land on-speed in a race lacking much pace. MANODAL RAIN (2) is only lightly raced and trialled in reasonable fashion last week. SURANGANI (9) settled a mile back at her Tassie debut and wasn't pushed out over the concluding stages. JACKJACK (1) has had a stable change and has only raced twice on grass in her 15-start career.
R5 A-maze-in Richmond Class 1 Hcp, 1200m
TWO DOLLAR TOM (2) had good market support fresh but found the 1009m on the carpet a bit sharp. He should enjoy an economical run from the inside draw and his one previous Hobart start had merit. MAKE A DECISION (1) played up in the gates at the last Hobart meeting and was a late scratching. He's since trialled to maintain his ticket but is clearly a horse that is still learning the caper, albeit one with plenty of ability. I'M BACK (4) drops in distance but was a winner at the T&D two starts ago in a race where the form has held up. BANCA TOM (3) was a surprise last start winner, improving from his debut run with the application of blinkers. He draws wide but his win can receive a push through earlier races. LAYLOW PLUCK (5) resumes and his only win came first-up. HEAVEN'S MIRACLE (10) raced wide on speed first-up and should strip fitter for that. She also has a lower draw which should enable her to race nearer the inside rail. POWERFUL PEBBLES (7) has placed in six of seven Hobart runs and look for any market push on RANSOM TRUST (6) who brings moderate mainland form to the stables of Sarah Cotton.
R6 Graham Family Funerals Bm62 Hcp, 1200m
KUROSET (1) appreciated soft conditions at the last Hobart meeting to run on strongly for second. A firmer track may not be a positive, but the extra distance likely will be. ZAGAME (10) was third in the same race but has tended to be a far better horse first-up. DON'TBUCKME OFF (2) and TIESTO (5) were further down the track but don't need to improve a lot to feature. CRYSTAL PALAZZO (9) was scratched from that meeting. She chases a hat-trick of wins with her previous two when leading all the way. Any pattern favouring the front will benefit her. LUCA BRATZI (8) goes well fresh and was given a very soft time of it in a late April trial. He was hammered in betting at his first run for the stable so that may be worth monitoring. The 1009m at Devonport was to short for I'M KRUPT (7) and he was doing his best work late there. PRISTINE IMAGE (3) was in the same trial as Luca Bratzi in what was pretty fast time for that session. He started favourite at his last four starts for Simon Wilde so expect him to be in the market off that SP profile.
R7 Aviso Tas Pink Cup, 1430m
AMANCAYA (3) came with a well-timed run to win at the last Hobart meeting in a race that quite a lot of this field come through. Both her runs this campaign have been good and she's placed in all three starts at the T&D including a win. TRUE SCOTSMAN (1) ran on from last in that race and should relish the rise to 1400m. YARRA MASTER (7) was second in that race after cutting the corner to save ground and is another who won't be deterred by the extra 200m. FREAK ON A LEAD (2) looked to have his chance on the carpet last Sunday but wasn't beaten far. He's a winner at the T&D two starts ago in a race that was run to suit him and gave little chance to a horse like STEFANIDI (11) who was back in the field. SQUARE DONUT (4) led and dictated a slowly run affair in Devonport for a surprise win. That form didn't get a huge push a week ago. BERRUTI (8) was easily the fastest trial winner for the day on 10 May. Blinkers go on and he is a bit of a wildcard in the race.
R8 Up Cups Bm68 Hcp, 2100m
TRAVELING GIGOLO (3) was a dominant winner at the T&D four weeks ago, beating a field that included ONE LOTTO (1). The latter had a wide run that day but the winner meets him 1.5kg better at the weights, so it's hard to see the tables being turned. COSTERO (5) also has a favourable weight swing on the toppy from their Good Friday meeting where there was very little between them. Costero was two months between runs there, so the gap here may not be a negative. SUSNET GUN (7) relished the rise to 2100m last start in much easier grade. She drops 4kg assuming Chelsea Baker can't use her full claim. STORMONT (4) is back in class but up sharply in trip and may need this one before he shows his best.
