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The best day of racing in the Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer of Racing to date takes place on Sunday with a 10-race card for Ladbrokes Hobart Cup Day.
The Cup itself has attracted one of the deepest fields for years including the last two winners of the race, Toorak Affair and Eastender. Barade, Double You Tee and Classic Weiwei are the three interstate visitors with Barade the early race favourite in what will likely be $5 the field in betting.
All-Star Mile candidates Mystic Journey and Still A Star will both be in action and connections will be hoping that the big crowd on the day will boost voting numbers. Mystic Journey looks well placed to win the Thomas Lyons for the second time in three years while Still A Star meets Deroche who broke the Launceston track record last start. That pair have a rivalry dating back to last season where they were neck and neck for the 3YO of the year title.
Smart filly Hela aims to continue the unbeaten start to her career in the Strutt Stakes and has been installed an odds on favourite to do so.
Punters will be keeping an eye out for scratchings with a number of dual acceptors between Friday and Sunday and the weather forecast is looking increasingly poor for a significant amount of rain across Friday and Saturday.
The rail moves to the +6m position on Sunday after being in the true on Friday. The 6m position hasn't been used since Cup day 2020.
R1 Ladbrokes Switch Maiden, 1200m
Scott Brunton trains five of the 11 acceptors, three of which have accepted for Friday. One of those is LUCKY BUCKY (3) who faded badly after leading at his first run for the stable when sent out as favourite. He has a raft of gear changes for his second-up run and can improve. BORIS THE BLADE (1) covered ground on debut and now has the blinkers and Pires go on which always makes punters take notice. Look for any market lead on the rest of the stable runners, AMANCAYA (8), BROADWAY BABE (9) and JULE'S GIRL (10). PRINCESS MATOAKA (11) didn't have much luck on debut which came off the back of an impressive trial. She'll improve with that hit-out and gains the services of Group 1 winning jockey Luke Currie. MISS ENTHUSIASM (7) is no star but proven to be around the mark in races like this, same can be said for SOCIETY BILL (4) who was too far back to make an impact last start.
R2 Unique Doors And Windows Maiden, 1400m
MERV DECIDES (6) remains maiden eligible after two career starts but it's not hard to argue he should've won both. He flashed through the field last time to run third and looks suited by the rise in distance. SIGNAL HILL (12) was in the same race and also caught the eye darting back to the rail in the straight. Her run prior to a spell over the mile has held up very well form wise. ABBIE (7) had some support at a price last time but raced wide without cover, finishing just behind FIGHTING FRANK (1) who made ground from back and wide. Fighting Frank finally draws a low barrier and should settle closer as a result. NOTEABLY (10) wasn't bad a month ago at 1200m and Coronation Keith who she finished behind first-up has since won again. LAYLOW PLUCK (5) improved at his second start and stablemate ROCKYMOUNTAINHIGH (14) is back to her rightful grade after being badly outclassed in the 1000 Guineas.
R3 Ian D Halliday's 50th Birthday Mdn/cl1, 1600m
NEED A GIN (2) looked all over a winner last time but had to settle for second by a nose. That run should've topped him off for another one at the mile and he appears hardest to beat if he handles his first run around Hobart. SIR DA VINCI (5) continues to race consistently but is a real favourite of bookmakers. David Pires has ridden him in seven of his eight Tasmanian starts but interestingly jumps aboard RISING LIGHT (9) who has moderate form, but the blinkers removed. TASSIE O'REILLY (6) draws a low gate for the first time in the state and has the blinkers applied. First-up at a mile is an indicator that the stable has an opinion of him as a staying prospect. Neither DINGA'S DELIGHT (1) or SPIRIT OF WIORA (3) ran up to market expectation last time, now one goes up in trip and the other comes down. DUNMINING (4) draws to settle a bit closer and wasn't far away at the T&D last start.
R4 The Mills New Norfolk Mdn/cl1, 1600m
SO ASTOUNDING (2) has acquitted himself well in two Tasmanian runs where he has placed on both occasions. Didn't have the clearest of passages last time which may have cost him a victory. He finished just ahead of STELLADONI (5) there who raced forward and was left in front a long way out. She'll be fitter for having that mile run. HERMAN'S BELLS (1) had heavy support in Launceston but was unable to wear down the leader after having every chance to do so. He's unproven on wet ground if that arrives. NEEDS TOASTING (7) has the blinkers for the first time and may be ready for the mile after grinding home at his last two 1400m runs. OUR ROSSA (11) hasn't had a lot of luck in either run for Terry Evans and was heavily backed first-up. TERRIFIC TORRI (6) hit the line well last time but draws to be out the back again.
R5 Silk Laser Clinics Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1200m
AND BEYOND (2) could hardly have been more impressive in two career wins from as many starts. The form from both has stacked up well but his first look at the Hobart track is the query. VALLABAR (1) on the other hand has an excellent Hobart record, unbeaten from three starts at the track. I'll be looking for a market lead there with his best performances over further. MERCIABELLE (9) beat home OUR SHINKANSEN (8) last time in a slowly run affair that resulted in a blanket finish. Some query on the strength of that as a result but Our Shinkansen has a 1.5kg swing in her favour from a margin of just a nose. SIDOROVA (6) was a touch plain in better grade last time but they ran a track record and the tongue tie going on may be a sign of issues in that race. She's won at the track previously. LITTLE RIVER BOY (7) is very good on his day. TAKE THE SIT (10) resumes with pretty solid form from last preparation and MAROCH (3) raced wide first-up and is worth forgiving, particularly if you were keen that night.
R6 The Mills Thomas Lyons Stakes, 1400m
MYSTIC JOURNEY (5) couldn't quite catch BLAZE FORTH (1) first-up when the leader dictated terms and the race was nothing more than a sprint home. 1400m is much more suitable for the superstar mare but the inside gate is potentially awkward, and she won't want it too wet. Blaze Forth has tended to be a much better horse in Launceston, finishing fifth in this race last year. MYSTICAL PURSUIT (6) gave weight to the field at the T&D last time and was a winner right on the post. There's increasing evidence to suggest this is her best distance. NEWHART (2) and DARK WANDERER (4) come out of the Devonport Cup which was of course won by Newhart for the second year in a row. Dark Wanderer should find a softer time in front here. This will be only the third career grass run that Newhart has had but he's stepped up to every test that's been put in front of him so far.
R7 Crowne Plaza Strutt Stakes, 2100m
HELA (2) aims to extend the unbeaten start to her career to five. She's been dominant in every career start and Scott Brunton has made no secret of the very high opinion he has of the filly. She'll have to regress massively to have anything from the 1000 Guineas beat her home. CHEQUERBOARD (1) and MYSTIQUE FALCON (4) come via the same Flemington race where the form will be tested through Friday's Derby. Chequerboard looks like she'll settle further forward than Mystique Falcon, but the latter started half the price last start. LADY OF FORTUNE (6) rattled home to finish a clear second to Hela last start, a similar run to what she did in Devonport the start prior. If she runs out the trip she'll finish in the money off the back of those performances. NORTHERN SPIRIT (11) took on the boys last time and finished alongside the stablemate Lady of Fortune when they met in Devonport.
R8 Kevin Sharkie Bow Mistress, 1200m
DEROCHE (1) was a good thing beaten in this race last year behind Zargos. A track record first-up over 1100m says she's come off a virus in excellent condition and she looks placed to atone for last year's defeat. STILL A STAR (2) commences her All-Star Mile campaign on the racetrack after three trials in preparation. I doubt this is her ideal distance but then I'm not sure connections know what that is either. She defeated Deroche in the 3YO Cup last time they met. STREET ICON (3) appears the pick of the mainland runners having consistently been tested in black-type company. She'll be hitting the line hard. This is a big class jump for the likes of DES MOINES (6) and ETHICAL SOLUTION (5) who appear to be chasing that lucrative black-type on the resume.
R9 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup, 2400m
Read the runner by runner preview for the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup here.
R10 Winning Edge Presentation Benchmark 66 Hcp, 2100m
Tough way to get out if you're struggling at the end of 18 races in three days. This is a decent class drop for ODIN'S FOLLY (1) who was caught on a hot speed last time we saw her. Useful claim for Thomas Doyle gives him his best chance of a winner for a fair while. RHODE AWAY (3) has returned in good form, finishing behind two smart ones two starts ago and out staying the opposition at a mile last time. 2100m should be fine for him now. POOLE HARBOUR (11), ELISAVET (4) and COSTERO (2) all ran behind Sir Simon last time. Poole Harbour was the longest price of the lot but clearly the best run and the wetter the better for her. CORONATION PIA (6) and ENCOSTA FIORENTE (8) are last start winners who are unproven at the distance. RODESSA (9) will see out the trip but can mix her form. She wasn't suited up in grade last time with the way the race was run.
