3 minute read
Punters are treated to a nine-race card in Hobart on Sunday and it’s a quality program full of depth across most races.
The two highlights are a pair of $50,000 Tasbred races, the first restricted to 2YO's and the second for the 3YO's. Turk Warrior will be incredibly short to continue his dominance of the 2YO ranks this season, while the 3YO affair is considerably more open.
Sunday's rail position of +7m isn't one that has been used previously, the closest being +7.5m on Melbourne Cup day last year where it appeared a bit of an advantage to be up on the speed. With unseasonably warm weather forecast for the weekend in Hobart, the track shouldn't race any worse than a soft 5.
R1 Grenville Stud Mdn/cl1, 2100m
The trifecta from the maiden/class 1 a fortnight ago are all here and that race was won by TRAVELLING GIGOLO (2). He raced well back there as is his pattern but savaged the line and the rise in distance appears ideal after three 1600m runs. He will meet the second horse JUDGE BURNS (1) 2.5kg worse at the weights for a small margin though. That was the former King Islander's first run for Glenn Stevenson so you would expect some improvement to come, and he's won up to 2600m. Third in that race was SARDEGNA DEEL (5) who can be up and down but is in this with her best performance. JOPHIEL (4) and STEPASIDE ROUSEY (6) were gapped by Sir Da Vinci on Good Friday but that winner came out and did something similar at Kyneton next start so the form may be better than it looked at the time. ALL DREAMS (3) is on trial at the trip having never run past 2000m but does have the services of D.Pires.
R2 Armidale Stud Maiden, 1400m
BRINKTOP LAD (2) was scratched here a fortnight ago when drawing wide. His form is better than it reads but watch what happens with the rider as Daniel Ganderton is also listed on TAVISPLASH (13) who has shown enough in two trials to suggest she can run well on debut. NUFEN SPECIAL (11) started $91 but was first of a few home that come through the maiden won by Skilendra. Interestingly Brendon McCoull has the ride on stablemate LUPANAR (10) who on paper has inferior form. EGYPTIAN STRYKER (8) caught the eye working home late in that Skilendra maiden and SHAKE YOUR TOOSHY (12) would've finished closer without interference in the home straight. In between that pair was SPEED ROCK (5) who may be suited up in distance. CHEEKY ONE (7) was scratched last week from Devonport in the race won by Silent Dreamer who she finished alongside in Launceston. EVELINA ROSE (9) was originally a $180k purchase who had one trial for Peter & Paul Snowden in NSW before coming to Tasmania. The trials were only fair, but I'd be looking for a market lead.
R3 Motree Thoroughbreds Maiden, 1200m
THE BEEKEEPER (5) has returned with two nice runs this campaign, at the latest he was the clear best of the on pacers where he was left in front a long way from home. JOHN'S LAD (3) had good market support in the same race but was gone at the top of the straight after racing wide without cover. Scott Brunton trains four first starters, MASKED BANDIT (4), ROSE DE LUNE (12), SPICEWOOD (14), ZADE'S STORIES (15) and JULE'S GIRL (10) has only one start to her credit. They all come via the Hobart trials where I didn't think there was a clear standout but the stable obviously warrant plenty of respect. ARRIONDO (1) needs to replicate last week's synthetic run on the grass. GEE GEE CLOUDY BAY (8) couldn't break through last campaign but won her trial against some Brunton runners. HEAVENS HEARTBREAK (9) should be nearing peak fitness third-up and the run of ONE MORE PARTY (11) was good here two starts back before a forgive run in Launceston on Good Friday.
R4 Tasbred 2yo, 1200m
TURK WARRIOR (1) has been the clear dominant Tassie 2YO this season and that will be reflected in his price. He's unlikely to be at his peak despite a trial win earlier in the week, but he'd need to be a long way off the horse we saw before a break to be beaten here. GEEGEELUCKYSTAR (3) was scratched as $1.50 early favourite from the race won by Far Away Hit. Provided that wasn't a major setback, he appears the second pick. He was dominant winning a maiden in Launceston that saw NEEDS REMEMBERING (5) race quite greenly on debut. GEEGEE ALS PRINCE (2) tired late to be grabbed by Far Away Hit but will take improvement from that and after drawing the widest barrier last time has the inside draw on Sunday.
R5 Petite Rhapsody Thoroughbreds Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1200m
GEE GEE QUEEN BEE (1) was a strong winner in this grade last start and will carry less weight with Kiran Quilty's claim. 1200m has found her out in the past but she maps for a soft run. Adam Trinder has two good chances through WARRIOR PRINCE (3) and SILKSTONE (2). The latter has amazingly placed at 10 of his 11 starts for the stable. Warrior Prince was a good winner last time we saw him but failed in Hobart with a big weight the start prior, the same scenario he'll face on Sunday. REITE DEN BLITZ (7) bypassed the $50k Tasbred 3YO race to run here. After taking nine starts to win a race she's now staring down the barrel of a hat-trick. Worth noting her last start win was considerably slower than the race that LOKI PATERA (6), GEE GEE BAY WATCH (8) and ALINJER (5) come through on the same day, the trio finishing in that order behind Luca Bratzi. Alinjer was the shortest price of the three and chopped out of a run at a key stage close to home.
R6 Tasbred 3yo, 1200m
ALGERNON (2) has been freshened since winning with a big weight, beating a pair who have since run well. He's a perfect three from three in Hobart and maps for a good run behind a hot speed. FIRST ACCUSED (1) perhaps didn't hit the highs he promised last campaign but was far from disgraced. He's two from two first-up and his recent trial was impressive. AZARA (5) debuted a lot later than her main rivals here but has made a splash all the same. This is her first look at Hobart, but she has a little weight relief from recent starts. THUNBERG (4) and GEE GEE SOX (6) trialled against each other last week with little between them. They both like to race on pace so the wide gates could create an obstacle. ENTRAPPED (3) is a classy performer who was ridden for speed last campaign. She's another that's first-up with a nice trial in the bank. Deep race, full of quality.
R7 Ambidexter At Brooklyn Park Stud Class 1 Hcp, 1400m
Scott Brunton trains five of the 12 runners, none of them having jockeys named at the time of writing which complicates doing the form. SUNSET GUN (8) was an impressive maiden winner last time, running good time for the day in the process. SKILENDRA (10) finally got the maiden win she deserved at start 10. She may take confidence from that and interestingly Pires stays with her despite the bevvy of Brunton runners in the race. TWEE (3) had the race run to suit when she won at start two, but that race has produced a few subsequent winners. All three of her runs have been spaced out. FOREX (5) was quite brave in a BM60 after covering ground in the run but has drawn off the track, so she'll need a good steer. YARRA MASTER (1) had her chance racing on a slow tempo and that raced produced a bunched finish with LITTLE HOT MISSILE (7), THE GUILTY PARTY (12) and SEGUIMIENTOS (13) all involved for the minors. Reite Den Blitz can add a push for that form in the previous race. DINGA'S DELIGHT (9) has been up a while but his best runs in recent times have been at 1400m.
R8 Macleay Thoroughbred Stud Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1400m
RUNAWAY GIRL (4) has been a great addition to Scott Brunton's stable, she's yet to win in Hobart but has placed at all five runs. She wasn't suited coming from the back in Devonport, and neither was OCEAN ESSENCE (5) who settled last after receiving heavy pre-race market support. LESNAR (3) has won two on the bounce since being relegated behind TAKE THE SIT (6) on protest in Launceston. Hobart is an unknown for the grey and he'll meet the mare 1.5kg worse from their Good Friday meeting. O'LONH STAR (1) was heavily backed before failing here first-up and then scratched last week in Devonport from the race that UNDERPLAY (2) ran second in. The toppy has never won past 1200m and the majority of Underplay's best results have been on the synthetic. CORONATION PIA (7) will be strong late but may find 1400m a bit short.
R9 Alva Stud 0-66 Hcp, 1400m
Plenty was put on LUCA BRATZI (4) first-up for Scott Brunton and followers were duly rewarded with the best of a photo finish. The way he rattled home suggests the rise in distance will only suit and any pattern for the day will be known by the last race. SELLICK (1) just pipped IVORYMAN (6) in the final race a fortnight ago. The winner was penalised pretty severely for that, rising 4 rating points and will meet Ivoryman 2.5kg worse as a result. TEE JAY FRANKIE (5) trialled up well last week for a race return but hasn't placed in two previous first-up runs. FLOURISHING FUTURE (3) may take catching if left alone in front. The Hobart 1400m has become her pet trip. JACK'S CHOICE (9) and MAGIC KHAN (7) have been solid at their past couple of runs and DON'TBUCKME OFF (2) hit the front a bit early in a swoopers race that was won by Luca Bratzi.
