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It is an early start and early finish for Sunday’s eight-race card in Hobart this week, a small field to commence the day at 11:15.

Scott Brunton has four meetings left in the season to register 15 winners to crack the century and he will be hoping to close that gap considerably on Sunday. Brunton had five winners at the last Hobart program on 13 June and looks a good chance of at least going close to that number again.

The weather has been decent this week in Hobart so the track should race a bit firmer than it did for the previous meeting which was a soft 7, and the rail is in the true position for the first time since 14 March.

R1 Ladbrokes Bet Ticker Benchmark 78 Hcp, 2100m

This appears a race in two. EXOTERIC (1) is the weight horse, he has a 14-point ratings advantage on LA DERNIER FILLE (4) but only needs to give the mare 3kg. He was never a winning chance at Flemington last start, but suitable races are few and far between on home soil. His last win came in December 2018 when trained by Chris Waller and he won't get a better chance than this to notch win number 10. La Dernier Fille is the logical danger, she was strong late with the benefit of the fast lane at a mile last time, and only just missed over 2100m at the start prior.

R2 Winning Edge Presentations Maiden, 1390m

NEEDAREIN (6) has returned with a pair of solid placings in high rating maidens on the synthetic. Up to 1400m looks suitable third-up and whoever picks up the ride will have a live chance if they can overcome the wide gate. BREW HORSE (1) was trapped three-wide last time but boxed on for third. He'll do less work from the draw here. HELLOT (3) was always out the back in the same race where he was sent out a $4.80 chance. IRIS WEST (12) has been working home well on the Pakenham Synthetic and now makes her way to Tassie. This isn't a strong maiden, but she's never raced on anything rated as soft or heavy. TASSIE O'REILLY (7) became the bookies friend towards the end of last campaign. He's had some time off and did run decent races fresh when he first appeared in the state. UNDER HIS EYE (9) can improve on the quick back-up and KRUPT CANDY (14) takes on the older horses after finishing only two lengths behind Turk Warrior at her latest outing.

R3 Hygain 3yo Maiden, 1200m

I'M BACK (4) had support at a good each-way price first-up and placed in what's looking to be a strong maiden. The number one stable rider going on may be a positive lead in a race where Scott Brunton saddles up four runners. Another one of those is KEEPER'S TOUCH (6) who raced off the track on debut when $2.30 favourite. I'd respect the SP there and he trialled up recently against opposition that are above maiden grade. NEV'S BOY (7) ran a game second behind Brinktop Lad who will be well fancied later in the day. He had a big margin back to third there. Looking for any market lead on I'M THE BOLDEST (5) and OROMOCTO (8) who bring only moderate interstate form to the Apple Isle. STARS IN THE NIGHT (14) was right in the market last time but weakened after racing on the speed. A firmer track may improve her chances.

R4 Kevin Sharkie Mdn/cl1, 1600m

WE DESERVE THIS (5) did what the market expected at the last Hobart meeting and that win received a push when the second horse won a week ago. Pires sticks with him. SUNSET GUN (9) was first home of those coming through the race won by Off Peak in an on-pace dominated affair. They left the cash in the bag for the second straight start on LE MONDE DE LUCAS (1) there with MATSUMOTO (2) and THE GUILTY PARTY (4) also not far away in a race where the form is a query with a bunched finish. RYLSTONE (3) would have gone close to winning last time at the mile but kept ducking in under the whip. Erica Byrne Burke now goes on who has gotten a lot of her winners' home without using the persuader. SIGNAL HILL (8) was one-paced in the same race. Her only win was dominant here three starts ago when ridden aggressively. FULL KNOTS AHEAD (7) made a nice return in Devonport and the extra distance should only be a positive. LUPANAR (10) has form that ties in and it's great to see apprentice Brandon Louis back riding after a decent break.

R5 Salters Hire 0-66, 1100m

KUROSET (6) received a super ride from Erica Byrne Burke to win first-up. The mare rises 3kg in weight but she's very consistent, yet to miss a placing in eight Hobart starts. Stablemate FREAK ON A LEAD (3) has put two wins on the board in succession, both in impressive fashion. We'll have a guide by the halfway mark on whether gate 14 is a help or hinderance. DON'TBUCKME OFF (1) gave the winner a tow into the race last time and meets her 4.5kg better here. KOHIMA (4) was a complete forgive run in Devonport, after missing the start he raced wide without cover. GEE GEE GOLDENLASS (8) resumes, trialling up much better than BORIS THE BLADE (2) who is also first-up. DUNMINING (11) was excellent behind Kuroset but I would've expected her to be going up in distance rather than back to 1100m. GEE GEES DARL (9) and GYMPINS (10) worked home ok from the back last time which is generally their pattern. RAVAGE (7) is another who may find 1100m a bit sharp. ZAGAME (14) is off a 54-day break and both of her wins have come first-up. Wide open race if looking past the main fancies.

R6 Vale Michael Swan Class 1 Hcp, 1200m

BRINKTOP LAD (1) was well found last time off the back of a Black Book run two starts ago and was a strong winner. Slight concern he may be looking for further but that was the win of a horse that could knock off a Class 1 quickly. Nine of the 13 acceptors come through the Class 1 won by Freak On A Lead who runs in the previous race. ROBBEN ISLAND (10) was a market mover and ran accordingly in that race. There does look to be good speed in the race which may set things up for one from behind like SEGUIMIENTOS (12) who was third in that race. PERKINS (4) and JOHN'S LAD (2) also warrant thought from that formline on a day where the inside was deteriorating with each race that passed. TALLY MO (8) was $8.50 into $5 before a late drift at her first Tassie appearance. Blinkers were off for that run and now they are immediately re-applied. HERMAN'S BELLS (6) has had a very consistent campaign and is sure to be in the market again.

R7 Elwick Functions & Events Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1200m

Five of the seven runners raced each other at the last Hobart meeting where BOOM DOT COM (6) beat SAVS FINALE (4) on the post. The mare rises in weight by 1.5kg but the extra 100m will only be a positive. Savs Finale had heavy support that day and it will be interesting to see what the market does here give Scott Brunton trains over half the field. UBER ED (5) is another one of the Brunton army, his run last time had some excuses as he was three-wide. RUETTIGER (1) was slow out in that race but only plugged away with a big weight, while GEE GEE TRENDSETTER (3) ran her usual honest race, suited by the wet track that day. JEREMIAH (2) is the main chance bringing a different formline. He hasn't trialled since May and was scratched from the last Hobart meeting so the market may be a lead as to whether he will need this run.

R8 Ladbroke It! 0-66, 1600m

Another race which is a re-match for a lot of the main chances. SHAMPZ AGAIN (1) defied a market drift to be beaten in the last stride at this T&D last time. Pires replaces Codi Jordan so the horse will carry 2kg more. FLOURISHING FUTURE (3) was third in that race after racing outside the speed and ENCOSTA FIORENTE (4) was just over a length further behind. Encosta Fiorente was two months between runs there so should take some improvement. BORN MAGIC (2) has seemingly lost a bit of form but is on the quick back-up and her best would give this a shake. This is a class jump for OFF PEAK (5) who was a $41 winner leading all the way last time and that form will be tested earlier in the day.