3 minute read
The final synthetic meeting of the season takes place in Devonport on Sunday where eight races are scheduled.
It should be a competitive day of racing, the program seemingly lacking the short price favourites such as Alpine Wolf and And Beyond that went around last week. The final race of the program should be a highlight with Ancona and Cheeky One putting winning streaks on the line.
R1 Ladbrokes Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1150m
BANDINELLI (3) headed to Cranbourne for his first-up run but wasn't suited by a shifty track that day. He went through his grades quickly last campaign, and he'll give this a shake if he recaptures that form. GEEGEE TRENDSETTER (2) is the proven performer in this grade. She'll run her usual honest race but having her seventh run for the prep, she faces others who may have more upside. ETHICAL DILEMMA (4) was slow out back in June and never made an impact from there. He has a powerful finish and in theory should settle closer in this small field. GEE GEE GOLDENLASS (6) and FITZWILLIAM (7) are out of their grade but have no weight which in particular will be a nice reprieve for Fitzwilliam who is the likely pilot of the field.
R2 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1009m
SHAMMGOD (10) is an ex-Price/Kent Jnr runner who nominated for a race interstate last week but has her first start for Scott Brunton on Sunday and started short in two starts for the previous camp in Victoria. She trialled up in slow time for the day over a month ago and I suspect the market will be a key guide. EGAO (5) is another newcomer, formerly trained by Chris Waller in NSW. She showed speed in her trial and was only run down late by Need A Gin who is above maiden grade. GOLDEN EGG (6) disappointed first-up but that was six weeks ago so perhaps there was a setback. Blinkers go back on, but she's drawn wide. SIROCCO SHAMAL (11) was in the same trial as Golden Egg, kept under a firm grip. She's had two starts, ridden forward in one and back in another. SWEETSOP (12) tends to give a start which was also the case in her recent trial.
R3 Kevin Sharkie Maiden, 1350m
Both NEEDAREIN (3) and DI'S A DANCER (6) are on the quick back-up after running in the maiden won by Gee Gee Plane where both had excuses. Needarein was wide throughout while Di's A Dancer was slow out early. 1350m looks a positive if they handle the turnaround. JACKJACK (2) ran out of ground last time, savaging the line after settling towards the rear early. As a 12-start maiden he's been frustrating at times, but this is another good chance for that elusive win. THE BEEKEEPER (4) is having his ninth run for the campaign. He's been consistently at the head of the market without winning and looks the likely leader in this race. GEE GEE CLOUDY BAY (7) has a senior rider going on for the first time at what will be career start 15. She's been unlucky not to win a maiden by now, in particular two starts ago where she finished just ahead of Jackjack. BOSS CHEYENNE (5) should enjoy a good run from the draw and is another who backs up after a run last Sunday.
R4 Tasmanian Horse Transport Mdn/cl1, 1650m
TURK DELIGHT (5) has returned with solid runs over the shorter distances but now gets to a trip he should appreciate. He's drawn well and with the blinkers on, expect him to settle closer to the speed. GEE GEE SILENTNITE (1) and TASSIE MISS (14) ran the quinella over this distance at their last start. Hard to see either horse regressing at this stage of the campaign and with no weight Tassie Miss may lead up the field. NEEDS TO BELONG (3) hasn't quite lived up to the promise he showed at his first two starts but is still only lightly raced. He gets to the mile quickly even considering his trial earlier in the week. INNOCENT PEGG (7) had six weeks between runs when she had her first start over the mile and now her second comes a week later. Expect her to strip fitter if she's come through that run ok. RED ROGER (4) should be looking for the mile now but draws off the track. EGYPTIAN STRYKER (11) drops down in the weights and was ridden very cold last time. IRIS WEST (12) has only had one start in the state and was far from disgraced at her most recent synthetic runs for the previous stable.
R5 Carlton And United Breweries Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1880m
GEEGEES FIRST LADY (7) and RED FIORE (2) were excellent with front running rides last week, the former winning and the latter running second behind Possession with a big margin to third. Obviously, both can't lead here though, and DIXIE'S BOY (4) and GEE GEES MAGIC MAN (1) also race on-pace making early tactics a real key to the race. GEE GEES CAUGHTYA (6) ran into third last week and could be one that would enjoy the leaders bringing each other unstuck. FULL KNOTS AHEAD (8) has returned with a pair of nice runs and should enjoy a great trail from an inside draw. UNCOVERED (10) generally improves further into the campaign but acquitted herself well going straight to the mile first-up and has run her best races at this track.
R6 Thai Imperial Class 1 Hcp, 1150m
NEED A GIN (2) trialled in good time for the day in preparation for this. Anthony Darmanin has won aboard the horse but the 4YO has never raced below 1200m. GEE GEE REAL DEAL (8) hit the front first-up but tired over the concluding stages. She's drawn ideally and will have benefitted from that run. ONE LOTTO (1) got to the staying trip last campaign, but his best races were over the sprints including a win at this T&D on debut. GHOSTED (3) has been with John Blacker for a while as she trialled in May and was scratched from a Hobart race a few weeks ago. The market may provide a guide there. DESTINY FORCE (14) trialled well leading into her first run for Team Wells but has had no luck with the barrier draw. SOCIETY BILL (4) developed into a consistent on-pacer last campaign and CRACKERJACK LADY (12) plummets in the weights from last start. Blinkers come off and she ran a decent race from this barrier two starts ago.
R7 Nova Design And Print 0-60, 1150m
TROJAN STORM (2) has been peppering the mark in this grade after placing at his last two starts. He's right in the mix again but will need to overcome a wide draw. GEE GEE ROYBOY (1) was a spot behind Trojan Storm last time but rises 2.5kg with Troy Baker taking the ride. GEE GEE BAY WATCH (3) has placed at all six runs this campaign without a win. You can't fault his form, but his last victory was now 19 starts ago. GEE GEE SOX (7) returned to a bit of form last time after a tough run up on the speed. Three of TYCOON'S DAUGHTER (10)'s four wins have come first-up and her late June trial pointed towards a forward showing. RHYME WRITER (4) couldn't get into the race last time but had been racing very well prior to that. GEE GEE TOP TIP (11) will be hitting the line strongly if close enough to make her presence felt. Back to 1150m might not be ideal for GOLD CURRENT (6) but he doesn't often put in a bad one at this track.
R8 Thank You Dean Crowden Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1350m
ANCONA (2) aims for three wins on the bounce and four in total from just five career starts. He goes up 2kg from his win over LESNAR (1) here last start but it was a fairly soft victory which was also the case in his recent trial. Lesnar was softened up on-speed in that race so the effort to stick on for second had merit. GEE GEES TEARDROP (8) and SH'BOURNE REBEL (3) ran last Sunday behind Artuso. 1350m looks fine for both but Sh'bourne Rebel has the better draw. ENDURED (9) was dominant at the T&D first-up which saw her sent out a short price at her next two starts. Both of her wins have been at this distance. CHEEKY ONE (10) is up in class but has earned the opportunity after two successive wins. THE MASTER SPEED (3) hasn't raced in this grade for about three years. He generally needs to find the front to be any chance. GEE GEES QUEENIE (10), ROUGH ROAD (11) and HIGH MAINTENANCE (5) also can't be totally ruled out in a deep race to finish.
