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The first of seven consecutive meetings held in Devonport will be run on Sunday where eight races are scheduled.
It should be a good day of racing, perhaps highlighted by the in-form Cheeky One aiming for five straight wins.
R1 Birdcage Tavern Benchmark 74 Hcp, 1880m
UP WIND (2) atoned for an unlucky third two starts back with a soft win here last start. He rises in distance with a month between runs but will be hard to beat again. POSSESSION (3) is another last start winner from the same program as Up Wind, storming over the top at this distance. He will appreciate some weight relief for the rise in grade. DARGO (4) meets him 1.5kg better for being safely held in the same race but did edge Possession the start prior. One must assume GALWAY GIRL (1) simply doesn't handle the Hobart track. She has a 5kg positive swing against Up Wind and her one 1880m run here was a second in the Devonport Cup.
R2 Tasmanian Bloodstock Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1150m
Small field and they all have a chance. ARTUSO (1) is the class runner as the winner of six races. He raced outside the speed last time, but I think is better with cover and saved for a final sprint. GEE GEE GOLDENLASS (4) enjoyed her first look at the synthetic with a BM60 victory where she held off the fast-finishing TROJAN STORM (5). Both horses drop in weight from that and it's hard to argue Trojan Storm doesn't deserve a win with second placings at his last three starts. NEED A GIN (2) resumed with a win, sitting outside the speed in a race where on-pacers were favoured. He may already be looking for 1350m around here. Stablemate VIVILICI (3) trialled well and although she got to the staying trip last campaign, her wins came over the shorter distances. RHYME WRITER (6) may lead in a race lacking obvious pressure.
R3 Ladbrokes 3yo Maiden, 1150m
Seven of the 10 are on debut and the form from the raced brigade is ordinary. MAJESTIC DIAMOND (8) was a $30k purchase who trialled in good time behind a nice stablemate. She'll carry no weight and the inside draw is generally an advantage for young horses. WARICA (4) has had three trials and after bombing the start at his first, he has been impressive in the other two. GOOGA THE GOAT (2) has the blinkers for his first racetrack appearance. He is another drawn to advantage with a good trial behind him. KHARI (7) is related to smart stablemates Mandela Effect and Galenus. Connections were clearly keen to get him, paying $80k to do so. His only public appearance was a quiet trial back in May where he was slowly away. SILLEACT (3) wasn't far off Googa the Goat at the trials and ETOSHA (1) of the raced brigade had excuses on debut where he drew off the track.
R4 Carlton & United Breweries Maiden, 1009m
After a disappointing first-up run GOLDEN EGG (4) put the handlebars down and was only grabbed in the shadows of the post. It would be surprising if the same tactics weren't attempted. SHAMMGOD (6) over-raced badly at her first Tasmanian start after she took a bath in the betting. Drawn out a little may help and she raced more favourably in a recent trial. SWEETSOP (8) is ready to win but I'm not sure dropping from 1150m to 1009m is ideal for a horse who generally does her best work at the end of races. MYSTICAL VIXEN (10) returned in a deep 2YO race. The winner is smart but the two placegetters that she finished alongside also came out and ran well next start. Watch the market for any lead on LORD WHITEGATE (2) who has only moderate mainland form but is now with Glenn Stevenson. MISS RED (5) has been up a while but has been doing enough to at least be an each-way chance.
R5 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1650m
TASSIE MISS (9) has raced well since she's gotten to the mile including last start where she raced without cover for the first half of the race. She's the only logical pace in the race this time around. DI'S A DANCER (6) has risen in trip at every start for the Stevenson stable. The best part of her race last time was the finish so the mile should suit. KARNAK KID (3) has threatened a bit more than he has delivered this campaign but hasn't been far away. This race falls away quickly. FORTITUDE VALLEY (2) is going a bit better than the form reads, finishing on the heels of the placegetters at his last couple. WILLOW WOOD (5) has awful career form but finished ahead of Rylstone last start who won on Sunday and wasn't far away at the T&D the start prior.
R6 Tasmanian Horse Transport Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1650m
This is huge class drop for ELISAVET (1) who returns to a BM60 after being competitive in 78 grade. She will carry 61kg even after the claim for Peter Lui but she's a 70 rater so has earned it. She has only missed a place once from six attempts at the T&D which includes three wins. ISKRA (6) raced on the speed at her Tassie debut and boxed on for a fourth. She should find a good spot again here. RED FIORE (5) was super here two starts back and then didn't handle the seven-day turnaround. She's a bit up and down but her best will go close. HIGH MAINTENANCE (2) was plain last time, but the mile is more to his liking and all three of his wins in the state have come with Codi Jordan on top. GEEGEES ROCK OPERA (4) is consistent at the T&D. GEEGEES FIRST LADY (8) lacks a turn of foot which has been evident at her last two starts. She won when she found the front and only ground home when ridden with a sit.
R7 Thai Imperial Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1350m
The airborne CHEEKY ONE (2) aims for five straight wins. Despite her win streak she's still carrying light weights and meeting similar opposition to what she's been beating, she'll be hard to toss again. Stablemate SANCTION KING (1) covered ground in a small field last time, and this represents a decent drop in class. He can race forward or back depending on how he jumps from the inside draw. GREGORIAN CHANT (3) looked unlucky at a key stage first-up and has a strong second-up record. Out to 1350m only appears a positive. WEEKEND WHISKY (9) and LADY JOKER (10) rounded out the trifecta behind Cheeky One last time. Lady Joker was the best closer in what turned out to be an on pace dominated affair. GEE GEES TEARDROP (5) crossed to lead and win last time from a similar draw but there looks to be more speed in this race.
R8 Kevin Sharkie Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1009m
KWAI (1) races in the weakest company she's been in for quite some time searching for her first win since December 2019. She made And Beyond work hard to beat her last start and that's obviously very good form for a BM60. MISS TUPPENCE (6) is a freshly turned 3YO filly who was one of the better performed 2YO's of last season. She takes on the older horses for the first time but trialled up stylish in preparation. RAAY OF TIME (3) finished last first-up but was beaten under three lengths. This is considerably easier than that race. HOLY DIAMOND (2) may find this a bit short but will be running on. SHAZEM (9) is a Devonport 1009m horse.
