3 minute read

Punters might only need to look at the two trainers with the best strike rates to find a host of winners on the eight-event card in Devonport on Sunday.

In Brief

• Gaffney and Stevenson have standout strike rates.
• Dramazing appears Gaffney's best of her four runners.
• Stevenson likes his chance of securing multiple wins on Sunday.
   

Wesley Vale trainer Glenn Stevenson has a strike rate 22.60 per cent this season while Spreyton mentor Leanne Gaffney is hot on his heels with a rate of 22.10 per cent and both are likely to saddle up at least one favourite.

Stevenson has notched multiple doubles and the odd treble of late, while Gaffney established her impressive strike rate earlier this season but has just started to bring some of her better performed gallopers back to racing.

Gaffney's three-year-old filly Dramazing was a good thing beaten on debut in Devonport two weeks ago and provided she has no bad luck in running, Sunday's assignment looks hers for the taking.

The Artie Schiller filly met with interference and trouble at crucial stages last start, and few would argue she would have won with clear racing room.

She has drawn poorly in the outside gate (10), but Brendon McCoull will no doubt have a plan to counter the poor barrier.

"I'm happy with how the filly has trained on since her debut run and I am looking forward to seeing what she can do on Sunday," Gaffney said.

"She should appreciate stepping up in distance (to 1150m) and eventually I expect her to be at her best when she gets over 1350m."

Gaffney's mare Aragon Star resumes in the benchmark 66 over 1350m (race 6) and she has been working well according to her trainer.

"Aragon Star is big, strong and has a very good finish, so I expect her to be very competitive."

Gaffney will saddle up two in race seven in Elisavet and Miss Excess and she has a leaning towards Elisavet.

"Elisavet is the most honest horse a trainer could ever get, so of the apprentice (Ianish Luximon) can give her a decent ride I expect her to be very hard to beat."

Glenn Stevenson takes six to the meeting and that includes former King Islander Rising Hsiang that is attempting to make it four wins in succession when she steps out in the Vale Graeme "Gypsy" Lee BM60 0ver 1350m.

Rising Hsiang has won her past three over 1150m and Stevenson is confident he will appreciate stepping up to 1350m in race seven.

"Rising Hsiang has kept on improving with each run and from barrier one on Sunday Codi (Jordan) should give him the run of the race," Stevenson said.

He kicks off the meeting with his Unencumbered three-year-old Ubriaco that was fifth of 11 on debut two weeks ago behind Scribbler and he lines up in race two, the Goodstone Group Maiden over 1150m.

"I like the way Ubriaco has come on since his first start and he doesn't have to have improved much to be a big chance on Sunday."

Stevenson saddles up Brahma Armour and Wood's Point in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Maiden-Class 1 over 1650m.

"There's not much between both of mine in the maiden-class one but I lean towards Wood's Point based on their trackwork this week."

Rhyne Writer lines up in a BM66 over 1150m and Stevenson is hoping the four-year-old can make the most of a good gate (4) and make up for losing his last encounter on protest to his stablemate Rising Hsiang.

"Rhyme Writer has worked super this week and with Codi's two kilogram claim he should be very hard to beat because there should be good speed in the race and if he gets that, I expect him to get the gun run."

Stevenson closes the meeting with High Maintenance in the Birdcage Tavern and Function Centre BM78 over 1650m.

High Maintenance is aiming for a hat-trick of wins and despite dropping back in distance (from 1880m) he should still be very competitive as he rises sharply in grade.

"High Maintenance goes up a lot in grade, but he gets plenty of weight relief (52kg with Jordan's claim) and dropping back to 1650m shouldn't worry him."