Search

show me:

Preview : Hobart - Sunday, 18th April 2021

3 minute read

Sunday afternoon thoroughbred action is in Hobart where there are good numbers across a nine-race program.

The undisputed drawcard of the afternoon is the emerging superstar Hela, who aims to extend the unbeaten start to her career to seven in a race that will largely consist of stablemates. Racing fans will be cheering her home as a start in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks in South Australia beckons if things go to plan on Sunday.

Several of the other races appear wide open which will present some good value if the winner can be found.

The rail is in the +3m position and a decent weather forecast suggests the track is unlikely to race worse than a soft 5.

R1 Elwick Functions & Events 2yo Handicap, 1100m

Good little 2YO race to start the day. GEEGEELUCKYSTAR (2) was narrowly beaten on debut by FIGHTING STYX (5) but atoned for that by heading to Launceston and winning by a space. Fighting Styx held the inside when they met, and they draw for similar runs with the filly coming up with barrier one. Race experience and a 2kg swing will benefit Geegeeluckystar this time around, but he'll have a new rider with Siggy Carr suspended. FAR AWAY HIT (6) was a $45k purchase and makes her debut in a handicap despite being eligible for easier. She was very impressive at the trials and the market will be a vital watch. GEE GEE ALS PRINCE (1) was a knockout winner in Devonport before taking on the big guns in the Elwick Stakes and wasn't disgraced despite being unplaced. Where he gets to in the run is a query, drawing barrier 8 of 8.

R2 Unique Doors & Windows Maiden, 1200m

Most of these ran on Good Friday in various races. SKILENDRA (12) was smashed into a very short quote and seemed to have her chance to break through. The track did play a few tricks that day but dropping back to 1200m, she certainly won't be odds on again. HOT CAT (13) wasn't quite as short as Skilendra but was heavily supported and didn't hit the line after looking the winner at the top of the straight. JOHN'S LAD (3) ran straight past him there and THE BEEKEEPER (6) was second in that race after settling outside the leader at only a moderate tempo. SHAKE YOUR TOOSHY (11) caught the eye hitting the line from behind the speed in a race where SCRIBBLER (10) faded after leading. Both horses have double figure draws to overcome. NEV'S BOY (4) finished alongside his stablemate two starts ago in Hobart before snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in Launceston. Winkers go on him for the first time. SIGNTHECHEQUE (15) was good enough on debut behind a handy one from the same stable, with second in that race winning on Good Friday. Deep race.

R3 Kevin Sharkie Maiden, 1400m

ALWAYS A WINNER (1) was a shade disappointing last Sunday in Devonport but in turn with five weeks between runs may have needed the hit out. He held a margin to TINY TIMMY (5) in that race who appeared unlucky not to win last time he raced in Hobart. The senior rider goes back on Tiny Timmy after a late change last week. SIGNAL HILL (7) finds a maiden that appears weaker than what she's been contesting so must be given each-way claims. SUNSET GUN (9) improved racing from the front last time and finished in a bunch there which also included Tiny Timmy. Blinkers go on SOUTHERN WIND (4) who has been unable to make an impact from back in the field in three career runs to date.

R4 Hygain Mdn/cl1, 1600m

TRAVELLING GIGOLO (12) trimmed up considerably in the market last time compared to her first three starts but continued her trend of settling in an impossible position. She keeps getting back and finishing strongly. HEZA CHARMER (10) has the strange setup of going from 1400m, back to 1100m and now gets to the mile first time. He expectedly found them too sharp last time but hit the line well enough. DINGA'S DELIGHT (2) ran home strongly last time to grab HERMAN'S BELLS (3) for second in the race won by Boris the Blade. Both horses have been trying to win a race like this for a while this campaign. BRINKTOP LAD (6) was ridden cold in a race dominated on speed last time and had little chance with the way that race panned out. Both Hero of Romani and Gee Gee Devonboy won in Devonport on Sunday having been ridden in a very similar fashion out of the same race. Look for any market lead on the Glenn Stevenson pair BRAHMA ARMOUR (1) and JUDGE BURNS (4) with the latter bringing King Island form.

R5 Ladbrokes Benchmark 84 Hcp, 1600m

This is the planned final lead-up run for HELA (2) before she heads to the Group 1 Australasian Oaks and she'll tackle a field made up largely of other Seven Mile Beach tenants. She showed last time that she's far too good for this class and this is a rise in grade in name only when you look at the ratings of the opposition. She was $1.09 last time and will be a similar price again. MANILENYA (3) was the quinella horse when she raced Hela two starts back and was unsuited last time with a big weight. She's a better Hobart horse and looks likeliest to run second again, perhaps ahead of VIDEMANETTE (6) who is racing in great form and has an excellent mile record. FLOURISHING FUTURE (5) will give some cheek from the front and has a good chance of boxing on for a placing.

R6 Ladbrokes 0-66, 1200m

HEAVENLY LIGHT (5) was backed heavily late first-up but disappointed badly after leading. She did a bit wrong in the run there and now the blinkers go back on. The 1200m has brought her unstuck in the past with all three of her wins being at 1100m or less. GEE GEE BAY WATCH (8) was in the same race, running on from behind the speed to finish third. He has the widest draw which makes things a little tricky for Anthony Darmanin. ALINJER (1) has hit the line hard both times this campaign, the latest at huge odds. He'll be strong late if the leaders are fading and he's within striking distance. DON'TBUCKME OFF (2) was racing in great form before a flop on a rain-affected track last time. It may pay to be forgiving of that. LOKI PATERA (3) was caught on a hot speed last time and blew the start the run before that. On pace is his pattern but the end of 1200m has tended to be a battle, as it also has for STRATEGIC AGENDA (9) who has a good Hobart record. LUCA BRATZI (3) has had three starts in Tasmania, the most recent in December 2019. He's hard to get a handle on for the new stable but is likely to be doing his best work late.

R7 Hygain Class 1 Hcp, 1200m

It took far longer than most predicted for REITE DEN BLITZ (5) to win her maiden, but she got there with ease last start with the second horse coming out and subsequently winning. Her last 1200m run was a third in the 3YO Cup behind the very handy War Correspondent. Stablemate YARRA MASTER (1) is another last start maiden winner although he made harder work of his. That form will be tested earlier in the program. Both runners draw off the track. TECHNO AWARDS (2) is another who saluted the judge first last time, doing his best work late to do so. He should enjoy a good run from the draw. LOVE NOTES (4)GEE GEES DOUBLEYOU (8) and SEGUIMIENTOS (9) were all unsuited settling back in a leader/rail dominated affair. Love Notes started the shortest of that trio but Gee Gees Doubleyou was the best closer. HEZALITE (6) returned off a long break in a fast run race on a wet track, with neither likely ideal. LITTLE HOT MISSILE (7) has the blinkers back on and could give a sight late in a race that opens up outside the favourite.

R8 Carlton & United Breweries Open Hcp, 1200m

Four of the eight runners met last start in the race won by GEE GEE TRUE STORY (8) who was the highest priced horse in the field. Less than two lengths covered first to last so it's hard to trust that form. GEEGEE TRENDSETTER (6) started favourite there and is the weight horse with Ianish Luximon going on so the mare drops 3kg. LIM'S CRUISER (1) was heavily backed in that race and after making an early run off a slow pace just peaked late. Third-up off a big break he'll be getting fitter with each run. BALEARIC (4) and AMAWORD (3) are arguably better at 1400m but there aren't many options for horses in this ratings bracket. There's consistently been little between them when they've met. O'LONH STAR (7) is now a veteran but has an excellent first-up record in a race where anything could win without surprising.

R9 Aviso Tas Pink Cup May 16 Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1400m

STEFANIDI (3) was desperately unlucky not to win here first-up and then flashed home in the inferior going in Launceston. She loves Hobart but is unknown at 1400m and has never carried more than 57.5kg. SELLICK (1) had the right run and was a soft winner last start. He's another rising in weight but his injury woes appear behind him. IVORYMAN (2) has now had 12 placings since his last win in October 2018. JACK'S CHOICE (12) ran on well behind the grey last time but draws to be giving a big start. ZAGAME (9) has been contesting much harder than this and hasn't missed a place in two previous Hobart runs. FOREX (5) hasn't done much wrong in three Tasmanian starts and ALL DREAMS (10) looks suited up in distance at her second run in the Apple Isle going off her form for the previous stable.


Racing and Sports

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au