3 minute read
It looks a great day of autumn racing in Hobart on Sunday but punters can ill-afford a sleep in with the first of nine races scheduled for 11:10.
R1 Up Cups Benchmark 70 Hcp, 2100m
The penny seems to have dropped for SIR DA VINCI (2) who took 15 starts to win his maiden but has now strung two in a row by a combined 11-lengths. He's a month between runs but will run them along and prove hard to catch. STORMONT (1) hasn't raced since the St.Leger where he ended up in the wrong part of the track on the night. He's the proven performer in the field. VIDEMANETTE (5) is on the quick back-up after acquitting herself well last Sunday. Back to Hobart should suit. LA DERNIER FILLE (6) has been much better at her last couple and has claims if she handles the rise from 1400m to 2100m.
R2 Ladbrokes It! Maiden, 1100m
A maiden with eight first starters and seven runners from the one stable. Good luck punters! THE BEEKEEPER (4) has the recent race form, finishing in the money in all three runs this campaign. FREAK ON A LEAD (1) trialled up very stylishly last week. He's been gelded since we last saw him and has drawn well for the stable rider David Pires. MAKE A DECISION (2) also trialled very well for a stable that no longer flies under the radar. I'M BACK (16) and WE DESERVE THIS (15) are guaranteed a start with two early scratchings. They weren't asked for much at the trials and have the benefit of race experience. The former finished behind LEICA STARLET (6) in what was a slow time compared to others for the session. There was nothing between GEE GEE MISS QUITA (11), ROHZAE (10) and FINXY (9) in their trial but the time was also nothing to shout about. STARS IN THE NIGHT (7) has shown good early speed when we've seen her, including at the trials where she beat Dramazing who was unlucky last Sunday. She'll be trying to spear across the field from an awful draw. SELKIE (14) has been forward in both of her trials and is one of five 2YO's taking on older horses.
R3 Graham Family Funerals Maiden, 1400m
BRINKTOP LAD (2) started an easing favourite last time but only ground to the line after enjoying a good run. He was five weeks between runs there and should strip fitter. LUPANAR (10) went around a big price in the same race to finish third. The stable is in form, and she'll do little work from the inside draw. EVELINA ROSE (9) is the third chance from that race, receiving good support and sticking on well after racing near the speed. Blinkers go on her. The other key formline appears to be the maiden won by John's Lad. MASKED BANDIT (7) was backed on debut there and ran on fairly. He's had little luck with the barrier. Stablemate SPICEWOOD (11) draws near the inside and drops to 53.5kg with the claim for Codi Jordan. We can get a line through the trial of BREW HORSE (1) in the previous race who has the blinkers off for the first time.
R4 Ella Baché Hobart Tasmanian Sires Produce, 1400m
This will likely be the last time that TURK WARRIOR (1) races in Tasmania as a 2YO and he will be unbackable odds to extend his winning streak to six. He's been a class above everyone he's faced this season and on Sunday his opposition are winless from a combined nine starts. Two trials leading into the race suggest that this has perhaps been a target for TAPPA PASS (4) but 1400m first-up is a decent ask. There wasn't much between ENSNARE (2) and KRUPT CANDY (5) behind the favourite last time, though the latter did cover more ground in the run.
R5 Ranvet National Apprentice Race Series Mdn/cl1, 1600m
This is the heat of the NARS so quite a few riders will be experiencing the Hobart track for the first time. TAVISPLASH (8) was well-backed and did the job for followers on debut. Having her first start at 1400m suggests she wants ground so the rise in distance likely suits. We should know by now whether gate 1 is any negative. SUNSET GUN (7) was first home of a stack of runners that come via the Class 1 won by Forex. She was good running on from midfield there, but the wide draw makes things tricky for Scarlet So. YARRA MASTER (4) stuck on after racing near the speed in that race and RYLSTONE (3) savaged the line from an impossible position after blowing the start. He won't be $81 this time. ALL DREAMS (5) is still only lightly exposed in Tassie and after having her three starts over 1100m, 1400m and 2100m it's difficult to know what her preferred trip is. SIGNAL HILL (10) placed behind Sunset Gun two starts ago and is on the quick back-up after leading at a very slow pace last Sunday.
R6 Aviso Tas Pink Cup 3yo Autumn Classic, 1400m
ALGERNON (1) is unbeaten in Hobart from four starts including the lead-up to this race. Brendon McCoull had the run of the race there, but the horse really attacked the line late to pick-up the leader. 1400m should be fine off that. FIRST ACCUSED (2) was backed into $1.80 first-up but covered a lot more ground in the run than the quinella and that was telling in the finish. There doesn't appear much between the top two chances and tactics will be key in a race lacking an obvious leader. AZARA (4) and SHANOA (5) were much further down the track and will likely need the fancied pair to be well of their game to turn the tables. This is a significant class jump for JOHN'S LAD (3) though his last start win will be tested earlier in the card.
R7 Skillinvest Benchmark 60 Hcp (apprentice Riders Only), 1200m
Persistence finally paid off for IVORYMAN (2) last start with a superb ride delivering a win over several rivals he meets here. The drop in distance doesn't look ideal but he rarely runs a bad race. STEFANIDI (6) finished just behind Ivoryman four weeks ago and was forced wide in the run there. She has ability but also a few tricks so may not be the easiest ride for Louise Day. GEE GEE BAY WATCH (7) hasn't won for a long time but is racing in good form. He gets in well dropping in class but staying on the same weight as last start. SHAMPZ AGAIN (1) was held together in a fast trial and has a good first-up record. Look for any market lead with the Brunton/Keys team very strongly represented in the race. GYMPINS (8) mixes form but is very capable on her day. She ran a super race first-up last July in a campaign that concluded with the scalp of the very smart War Correspondent.
R8 Deputy Mayor Bec Thomas Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1200m
GALENUS (1) races for the first time in his home state since October last year. He was a Cranbourne winner last month beating Ocular who then went and won during the Warrnambool carnival. Suspect Scott Brunton targeted this race as opposed to other mainland options and if he's at his best he'll be hard to toss. TAKE THE SIT (10) and ALINJER (13) could not have been more impressive winning at the last Hobart program. They've both drawn off the track though so will likely be back and hoping swoopers can get into the race. SAVS FINALE (7) and UBER ED (8) are both first-up after lengthy breaks. Savs Finale is 411 days between runs but has the benefit of two trials. GEE GEE TRUE STORY (4) races very well in Hobart and seems to be back somewhere near his best.
R9 Unique Doors & Windows Class 1 Hcp, 1200m
RED ROGER (1) resumes with a reasonable Longford trial behind him a few weeks ago. The wide draw might be an advantage by the last race and his only win came first-up. ROBBEN ISLAND (6) and LIKILIKU (4) were no match for Michbar last Sunday but there was little between them there. Back to Hobart should suit Robben Island, particularly if Tahlia Hope can make something of the widest draw. GEE GEES DOUBLEYOU (9) and SEGUIMIENTOS (10) have been up a long time but will be hitting the line strongly. NEEDADOLLARBILL (3) is an unknown in Hobart but has generally been a better horse than we saw last start. MATSUMOTO (5) finds a pretty shallow Class 1 to commence his Tasmanian career in and LE MONDE DE LUCAS (2) is firmly in calculations if he brings anything near his best.
