3 minute read
Sunday thoroughbred racing is back on the synthetic in Devonport this week, the first of three consecutive meetings at the track.
R1 Ladbrokes Class 1 Hcp, 1350m
Small field and I don't think you can totally put a line through any of them. GEE GEE BARACUS (1) won as a short favourite over this T&D last start. That race was a sprint home, and he had the best turn of foot which may be the case again here. RED HELMET (4) was just over a length behind the topweight and although he's maiden eligible, a case can be made for him with a 2kg weight swing. PORT BERRY (6) seems to race well over the Devonport 1350m and should enjoy a good run here. She finished ahead of HERMAN'S BELLS (3) last time who keeps picking up cheques, just not the first prize ones. FIGHTING FAITH (2) is on to her fifth trainer and fourth state she's raced in. Hard to line her up but her only win came on the Pakenham synthetic. MATSUMOTO (5) had market support last Sunday but didn't flatter. He has no synthetic form, but the stable did have a winner on the one-week back-up with Signal Hill.
R2 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1150m
Over half the field come through the maiden won by Scribbler. MISS RED (8) was first of those home from that race even though she started $31. She had the run of the race there but finished well and maps to do little work again from the inside draw. UBRIACO (5) was slow out there, as he was at the trials leading into that debut run. He ran out of room late and the extra distance is a positive. HELEN'S THE BOSS (7) also didn't have much luck in the straight in that race, while ZAHEELI (10) and OXY DREAM (11) seemed to feel the pinch late after racing near the speed. GEE GEE ROYBOY (2) resumes with two trials behind him. He struggled to finish off his races last campaign but has early speed. The form isn't quite as bad as it reads from last prep for APOLLO LANDING (6) who is likely to be doing her best work late and TENNESSEE TOO (4) has shocking form on paper but wasn't disgraced in Class 1 company last start.
R3 Kevin Sharkie Maiden, 1150m
DRAMAZING (7) was heavily backed on debut and despite not having any luck in the run, charged late to be beaten by a half head. Clearly she has ability, and the wide draw might not be a big negative if she is slowly away again. THE BEEKEEPER (4) found a few lightly raced types too good last Sunday but acquitted himself well. He's knocking on the door of a maiden win and his one Devonport run was on debut. JACKJACK (2) looked the winner at the top of the straight first-up, but the leader kicked strongly. That race rated well. DEEP KNEAD (1) is a new addition to the stables of Michael Trinder. He was a $3.50 chance at his only start and was found to be lame after finishing last. He ran past a few horses that are better than maiden grade in his recent trial. VELINO (5) looks to have good early speed and was a complete forgive run at his only start to date.
R4 Tasmanian Horse Transport Mdn/cl1, 1650m
WOOD'S POINT (4) enjoyed getting out to this distance last start but was on the wrong end of a very close finish. This looks a drop in class from that race, and he has a soft draw for the in-form Daniel Ganderton. Stablemate BRAHMA ARMOUR (1) was backed last time but a shade disappointing. He may not have appreciated going back to 1350m and can improve here. CHEEKY ONE (9) has her form tested in the opening race. Anthony Darmanin will likely roll forward from the wide draw and the filly is on trial at this distance. SURPRIZE EFFORT (6) and DARGO (2) are newcomers to the state who bring reasonable Victorian form for a race like this. INDIGO GIRLS (5) will be fitter third-up and like Brahma Armour from the same race, I think this distance is more suitable.
R5 Carlton And United Breweries Class 1 Hcp, 1009m
SHARMA RAMA (3) resumes off the back of two trials where she wasn't fully extended. She was at the front of the market to finish last campaign and the lethal A.Trinder/B.McCoull combination likely dictates she will be here too. Stablemate SCRIBBLER (5) was paddling late when winning her maiden, but that form can be franked earlier in the day. ROBBEN ISLAND (6) was scratched last Sunday in Hobart. She led them up here last start and has been solid in both runs back from a spell. GEE GEE DEVONBOY (1) couldn't make an impact from the tail when favourite last time. He'll drop 5kg from that with Chloe Wells' claim. TILTHEREWARSYOU (8) trialled nicely at Longford and developed into a very consistent commodity last campaign. ARCTIC STAR (9) brings moderate Victorian form across to the Siggy Carr stable but look for any market lead. GOLD CURRENT (4) will be strong late but is likely looking for 1150m or 1350m at this track.
R6 Thai Imperial Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1150m
There's no shortage of speed in this race on paper. WARRIOR PRINCE (1) returns to his home track where he is unbeaten from his only previous run. He was poor in Hobart last time but two of his worst career runs have now come at that track. Awkward draw and he's yet to prove he can carry the big weight. Stablemate SILKSTONE (4) also flopped in Hobart, but he was very consistent prior to that. Expect a bounce back run here. ENTRAPPED (5) is another who went way worse than the market thought in Hobart. She hasn't missed the quinella in two Devonport runs but is drawn off the track with a lot of speed beneath her. FITZWILLIAM (7) is one of the speed runners who loves the synthetic, but all his wins here have been over the shorter sprints. RHYME WRITER (10) has appreciated the return to Devonport and though up in class, he'll drop 5kg from recent runs. ARAGON STAR (8) is a perfect three from three at the T&D but countering that, she's unplaced in three first-up runs. She'll appreciate the speed up front as will ROUGH ROAD (3) who'll be better over further. Deep race.
R7 Vale Graeme "gypsy" Lee Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1350m
Assuming the emergencies don't run, this is a BM60 where all the field are rated above that number and will carry big weights as a result. RISING HSIANG (7) needed an upheld protest to extend his winning run to three last time. He's racing in great form and draws for an economical run at his first attempt over the distance. GEE GEES TEARDROP (5) was close in that race and MISS EXCESS (10) ran out of room in the straight after charging through the field from the back. GEE GEES CRICKET (3) delivered a fairy-tale win for Chloe Wells at her first race ride. She'll carry 4.5kg more here but should be able to lead again if she wants it. LUCA BRATZI (6) has started favourite in two runs for the Brunton camp, winning one of them. He hasn't placed in three prior synthetic runs. TEE JAY FRANKIE (8) may have raced in the worst part of the track first-up and can improve. GEEGEES ROCK OPERA (9) and ELISAVET (2) should be strong late in a race that's close to a field job for the quaddie.
R8 Birdcage Tavern & Function Centre Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1650m
OCEAN ESSENCE (2) should appreciate getting to the mile third-up. He was backed heavily first-up, then didn't shirk the task in Hobart and despite the big margins, the quinella there ran well again last week. CORONATION PIA (3) ran on from last to finish a length behind Ocean Essence in that race. She loves the mile and is a Devonport winner but hasn't raced here since October 2019. UNDERPLAY (1) raced wide and then wasn't pushed out in Hobart, he's a likely improver back to a track where eight of his 10 wins have come. HIGH MAINTENANCE (5) is racing well but jumps sharply in grade. He was scratched last Sunday to run here. PHENOMENAL DANCER (4) is another racing out of her class, but it suited by the small field. She's yet to run a bad race in three previous attempts at the track.
