3 minute read
Sunday thoroughbred racing is in Devonport this week with nine races on the program.
It looks a very competitive day of racing with several open races on the card but most eyes will be on the first leg of the quaddie (race 6) where Rising Hsiang aims for his sixth consecutive win.
It's another early start for all concerned with the race set down for 11:30.
R1 Nova Design And Print Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1650m
AMAWORD (1) crossed the water to find a suitable race and despite being outclassed, boxed on to be beaten just under four lengths. He's an 89 rater in 78 grade so has earned the weight but needs to prove he can carry it. UP WIND (4) was doing his best work late first-up over 1350m and this looks a nice race for him second up, dropping in the weights. GALWAY GIRL (2) chose this option over the 1350m race that was moved from last Sunday's card. She's much better than what we saw last time she raced. OCEAN ESSENCE (5), PHENOMENAL DANCER (6) and UNDERPLAY (3) haven't been far away in races of this nature in the last month.
R2 Kevin Sharkie Maiden, 1650m
THE BEEKEEPER (5) and CAPTAIN MORGAN (1) chased home Cheeky One four weeks ago and that winner won again last Sunday. The Beekeeper isn't proven at the distance while Captain Morgan is likely looking for it, even early in the campaign. EGYPTIAN STRYKER (8) is another runner with form around Cheeky One, bouncing back last time with a good run at her first look at the track. She maps for an economical run from a middle draw. GEE GEE SILENTNITE (3) was a big improver on a wet Hobart track and a replication of that effort on the synthetic would go close. OXY DREAM (12) had market support in the same race and weakened after leading. CROWNED TAINUI (7) and SHORT 'N' REGAL (9) have the grounding of 1880m runs which may be an advantage over those rising in distance.
R3 Ladbrokes 2yo Maiden, 1009m
LACERATE (9) had good market support when he resumed but found one better on the day. He'll roll forward and be in the race a long way. GEE GEE OTHERWORDS (7) is the most experienced horse in the race as a veteran of four starts. The recent trial was only fair but his third in the Alexandra Plate would go close to winning this. The wide gate might not be a big negative for ALPINE WOLF (4) who has been slow away in two trials but held together in both. GEE GEE SO TRUE (8) and MYSTICAL VIXEN (13) finished alongside him in their trial. Mystical Vixen has disappointed in two career runs to date. Both A LITTLE DECEIT (1) and MELITON (10) hit the line well at their only respective starts but may need further than 1009m. ETOSHA (6) was a late scratching from the meeting on 6 June when in the market. SKY BRIDGE (14) wasn't far off subsequent winner Far Away Hit when she trialled back in April. Winkers go on both ALPINE AFFAIR (2) and ALPINE BLAST (3) from the John Blacker stable. More often than not this season the Alpine Eagle 2YO's have shown they will be better with time.
R4 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1150m
RED HELMET (4) has placed at his previous two starts including last Sunday. The winner of that race was $71 but he had a good margin back to fourth. GEE GEE CLOUDY BAY (9) was an unlucky second on the same program, racing wide without cover from a bad gate. There is little doubt she wins that race with a more economical run. GOLDEN EGG (15) was smashed in betting first-up but didn't run up to expectation as an even money favourite. It may pay to give the benefit of the doubt and respect the SP. MISS RED (10) and DISCLEVABOY (13) were in the same race and finished ahead of the favourite there, but the strength of that race is questionable. GEE GEE PLANE (1) is a debutante who has shown enough at the trials to suggest he's up to what looks a weak maiden. Winkers are on for his debut. BANCA STAR (7) struggled in the wet at Hobart but placed here first-up. The wide draw will make it tough. UNDER HIS EYE (5) has his first Tasmanian start, with Adrian Duggan being his fourth trainer. His trials have been decent, but the Victorian form suggests 1150m might be a little short of his best.
R5 Tasmanian Horse Transport 0-60, 1150m
TROJAN STORM (4) was a big market mover here last Sunday and was an unlucky run, missing the start and then held up for much of the race. Visors replace winkers this week. NEEDS TO BELONG (1) was scratched last week when drawing off the track and hasn't fared much better seven days later. His first-up run was good, finishing just ahead of CRACKERJACK LADY (11) who enjoyed a soft run behind the leader and also came out of last Sunday's program. GEE GEE ROYBOY (3) was an easy winner first-up and then covered ground last time. He has a low draw here. GEE GEE REAL DEAL (6) resumes, jumping in grade after finishing last campaign going around very short prices in maiden class. Under the Eye comes through her winning trial in the previous race. STRATEGIC AGENDA (9) raced in the slow lane at Hobart and that was better grade than this. BORDER PROTECTION (2) will be trying to get over the top, likely forced back from a poor draw. TIDAL (10) will have her form tested earlier in the program and look for any market lead on PUNK PRINCESS (8) having her first start in the state.
R6 Thai Imperial Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1150m
RISING HSIANG (1) is aiming for six wins on the bounce, all at this track. Back to 1150m well into the campaign perhaps isn't ideal and his last three wins have been by a combined half-length so his margin for error is decreasing. GEE GEES TEARDROP (8) will be sick of the sight of Rising Hsiang but does meet him 2kg better this time around. SIRENE STRYKER (7) was scratched last Sunday to run here. Both of her wins have come first-up and being trained on the track the surface is unlikely to be an issue despite this being her first run here. SILKSTONE (3) delivered Erica Byrne Burke her first Tassie winner in late May, and she's since gone from strength to strength. That race has stacked up well form wise. SPARKLING ONE (10) made a real impression last campaign, both of her wins coming by a space. She finds a deep race to resume in. ARAGON STAR (6) won first-up in this grade, carrying 1.5kg less than she will on Sunday. She should enjoy a good run from the draw. SH'BOURNE REBEL (2) and ROUGH ROAD (5) have the ability but may be anchored by big weights and both better over 1350m around this circuit.
R7 Carlton And United Breweries 0-60, 1350m
GEE GEE BAY WATCH (4) gave a good sight in front last week in this grade over 1150m. He's not proven at this distance but has been in the quinella at five of six runs at the track. WEEKEND WHISKY (6) was ridden a shade quieter in the same race and only narrowly missed the placings. GEE GEE TOP TIP (8) ran into backsides trying to weave through the field from the back in that race while TILETHEREWARSYOU (10) raced wide from a poor barrier. RECOMPENSA (9) gives Peter Luttrell two runners in the race, formerly trained in Victoria by Shane Nichols. She started a $6 chance at Ballarat in a similar grade of race, so must at least be an each-way chance down here. RED ROGER (2) didn't quite finish the race off in Hobart and now returns to his home track with the blinkers back on. Stablemate TURK DELIGHT (1) had good market support last week but raced like he may already be looking for further than the 1350m.
R8 Lending 4 U Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1350m
This race was abandoned last week when they ran out of light and BORN MAGIC (6) is the only runner that wasn't in that field. She was taken on in front last time so had a few excuses. SANCTION KING (4) finished strongly to win the same grade of race four weeks ago. He stays down in the weights despite a 1.5kg penalty and with a similar run will be hard to beat again. OVERPLAY (1) caught the eye charging home late first-up, making a mockery of his $41 starting price. He's a Listed winner who may still have some good races in him being only a 6YO. DATE NIGHT (5) won't know himself with 51.5kg after carrying huge weights in easier class. He will keep kicking if he finds the front. Look for SUPER SWOOP (2) to be hitting the line with an eye for further later in the campaign.
R9 Birdcage Tavern & Function Centre Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1350m
LESNAR (1) was a drifter first-up and was given a quiet time of it over 1150m. He's proven he can carry weight and up to 1350m will be more to his liking. The money came for ANCONA (4) when he resumed and he was an easy winner, leading all the way. That form will be tested earlier in the day. GEE GEES CRICKET (5) is racing consistently, another victim of the recent hot form of Rising Hsiang. He only needs to maintain form to be a strong winning chance. The market was a giveaway to the poor performance of HOT RELATION (6) in Hobart, he's a better horse than that and it will be worth seeing what the betting does at his first run on the synthetic. BRANDUM BAY (2) acquitted himself well in the 3YO staying features through the summer carnival. His only run here was early in his career where he was safely held.
