3 minute read
Racing is in Devonport on Sunday where an eight-race card commences at 12:33.
The program contains seven of the eight winners from the return meeting here a fortnight ago with Hero of Romani, Gee Gee Devonboy, Spirit of Wiora, Wineglass Bay, Rising Hsiang, Cabarrus and Lesnar all in action again, and with that winning form they're expected to be reasonably found in the market.
The weather plays a minimal role in conditions at the tapeta track, particularly at this time of year, but the forecast is fine for a good day of racing.
R1 Lest We Forget Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1350m
Lesnar (1) has a great record at the T&D, never missing the quinella in four starts and winning his past two. He was a $1.80 favourite when winning in this grade last start and the claim for Codi Jordan means he'll carry 0.5kg less. Sanction King (2) was on the greys heels when they last met in Launceston. He's been ridden much closer to the speed at his last couple and tactics may be key here in the small field. Is Don Is Good (3) was a late scratching in the race Lesnar won last time. He was around the $4 mark that day and must be given a chance again. Dixie's Boy (4) and GEEGEES ROCKOPERA (5) will be suited by the rise in distance but are up in grade. Blinkers go on Dixie's Boy who should be near the speed while GeeGees Rock Opera will hope to get over the top late.
R2 Ladbrokes Bet Ticker Maiden, 1150m
Silent Dreamer (7) improved at his second career start where he enjoyed a cushy run behind the speed and ran into the minors. He's drawn the same marble here and can easily have the same run in transit. Cheeky One (12) finished alongside Silent Dreamer in Launceston but has drawn off the track on Sunday. With a capacity field and plenty of potential blockers, I'd say Anthony Darmanin will try and cross early. Sea Nymph (14) is a debutante without a trial in the formguide. Interesting that Siggy Carr chooses the synthetic for her debut, look for any market push. Gee Gee Baracus (4) enjoyed a good run here a fortnight ago to finish second but that was at 1350m. Back in distance and a poor draw appear potential negatives. Innocent Pegg (9) wasn't hopeless in a pair of runs last campaign and was held together in a recent trial, beaten there by Jackjack (17) who needs scratchings to gain a start. Maywyn Is The Word (1) has run the odd cheeky race but has drawn to be giving a big margin to the leaders.
R3 Goodstone Group Class 1 Hcp, 1009m
This is a Class 1 where only three of the eight runners have won a race and the maiden gallopers are poorly treated at the weights. Gee Gee Devonboy (1) was backed as if the race had been decided last time, defeating Dirado (6) who started the easing $2.40 favourite. I suspect Dirado takes improvement second-up, but she only gets a 0.5kg swing in the weights despite racing out of her grade. Gee Gees Teardrop (2) was no match for Rising Hsiang in a fast run race but had a good margin to third. He can race forward or back which gives Peter Lui some options from the wide draw. Likiliku (3) led to win her maiden at her most recent start and now comes across Bass Strait to join John Blacker. That form could easily hold up. The Beekeeper (4) is another racing out of his grade, but he hasn't been beaten far in two runs this campaign.
R4 Tasmanian Horse Transport 0-60, 1880m
The race panned out perfectly for Wineglass Bay (4) last time who was a soft winner on the line. His winning time was around 13 lengths quicker than Spirit Of Wiora (2) on the same day, though the races were obviously run at far different tempos. Spirit of Wiora was ridden contrary to his usual pattern last start so it will be interesting to see whether he goes forward again. Rhode Away (1) was ridden very cold at his last start for Ian Hay and has now changed stables to join Mark Ganderton and be trained on the track. Look for any market lead there. We Need A Star (5) meets Spirit of Wiora 2kg better at the weights and should take improvement from his first run at 1880m. High Maintenance (6) is maiden eligible so Glenn Stevenson must be keen to see him out to this distance. He closed well last time in a slowly run affair. Son Of Faith (3) hasn't generally shown his best on the synthetic but can't be totally dismissed.
R5 Teddy Sheean Vc Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1650m
Videmanette (6) is flying but her only run in Devonport was first-up back in December where she failed to beat a runner home when sent out a $4 chance. If she handles the track, she is the likely winner, but it's a definite query. Phenomenal Dancer (7) was no match for Videmanette at the last Launceston meeting but does meet her 2kg better and is a winner at the T&D. Both Magic Waler (2) and Tezlah (1) come out of strongly run races, one rises in trip and the other drops back. Wineglass Bay has the chance to frank the form for Tezlah by now. Magic Waler has a good record in Devonport with seven placings from 10 starts including all three of this career wins. Huon Chief (5) had the track bias in his favour in Launceston when winning which was a clear spike on his runs this campaign. On the other hand, Stinka (3) had no chance that same day with the way the track was playing so it's worth making some adjustment for their previous starts accordingly. So Astounding (4) is a query dropping back from the St. Leger and having his first synthetic start.
R6 Carlton And United Breweries Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1150m
Gee Gee Sox (6) had things in her favour on Good Friday but returned a good winner all the same. She's since been kept up to the mark with a nice trial and wasn't beaten far at her one previous Devonport run. Rising Hsiang (10) has made a real impression in two mainland Tasmania runs, winning the most recent in arrogant fashion. Gee Gees Teardrop can frank that form by this stage of the day. Rhyme Writer (4) enjoyed getting back to a firm track last time, only narrowly beaten in a race dominated on speed. Lady Joker (7) was three-wide back in the field there and draws for a much softer run. Gee Gee Top Tip (9) won at a big price first-up, rounding the field from the back which is her pattern. That's harder to do at this track. Forgive the run of Gee Gee Ladybird (8) in the same race who was caught in a BBQ on the pace. DATE NIGHT (1) is the class runner but carrying 62.5kg even after the claim is a huge task. Merciabelle (5) has an excellent synthetic record but she was poor on face value last time. Border Protection (2) has placed in seven of his last nine starts dating back to his last win in April 2020.
R7 Kevin Sharkie Class 1 Hcp, 1350m
Hero Of Romani (4) was a pretty soft winner to open the program a fortnight ago. While it took him a while to win his first race, he has barely run a bad one, particularly on his home track. Divisor (1) has disappointed compared to market expectation in two runs this campaign but hasn't had much go right either. Visors replace blinkers and getting to 1350m third-up should suit. Military Law (2) started $2.60 favourite last time but things didn't pan out and the two horses that finished ahead of him there have since run well. The synthetic is an unknown for. Perkins (3) is racing very consistently and will be thereabouts again if Kiran Quilty can cross early from a wide gate. Wood's Point (7) was scratched from a mile race in Hobart last week and Glenn Stevenson has been having some success with these King Island imports. Needadollarbill (5) was a big drifter and ran accordingly last time. Both he and Catch Me Paddy (6) dropped right out after leading at a slow tempo. The jury is out on Blushed (8) who was safely held last time when a $2.70 favourite.
R8 Legacy Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1350m
Small field but all six runners generally like to race up on the speed. Cabarrus (2) is a perfect four from four at the T&D including a last start victory in the same grade. That was a slowly run race and he got the best of a busy finish, but it's hard to see him not figuring again. Invincible Rock (5) led there and was just run over the top late. There's consistently been little between him and Cabarrus when they've met. Underplay (3) finished last in that race but will strip fitter from that run where he was first-up off a long break and does met the winner 2kg better. O'Lonh Star (1) was heavily backed last Sunday in Hobart but didn't fire after leading. He hasn't won past 1200m, but Devonport holds no fears. The Master Speed (4) has been freshened since his campaign went off the boil and has the blinkers back on. His best would be right in the mix.
