3 minute read

Eight races are to be decided in Devonport on Sunday and like last week, some big names step out early in the day.

R1 Birdcage Tavern Open Hcp, 1150m

DEROCHE (2) always trials outstanding and she lived up to that again leading into this first-up assignment. She looks a weighted special in this field getting in on the minimum and her one previous home track start was a 4.5-length win against similar opposition. Stablemate NEWHART (1) will give 11kg to the field. This appears a step towards bigger targets if he takes his place. OUR LITTLE TED (5) has returned with two good wins, albeit in small fields which he'll have again here. His turn of foot late may make things interesting if he is close enough. RAGHU (6) led at a very slow tempo last time and was only grabbed late.

Staking Strategy: Awful betting race to start and Our Little Ted running in consecutive three horse fields shows just how thin the ranks are for that grade of horse at this time of year. Deroche deserves to be the price she is but launching into a $1.25 chance will make for a long day if things go pear shaped. 2 units on 2,5 quinella

R2 Leigh Jordan One Agency Collins Real Estate Maiden, 1150m

WANE'S QUEST (10) made a strong impression at the trials, his 48.19s was a second quicker than anything else that day. Gate 15 with a heap of speed in the race is a tough proposition on debut though. MADETOBEBROKEN (2) and POET WARRIOR (3) bring reasonable Victorian form across Bass Strait. THE BEEKEEPER (4) started his campaign in April and is still looking for a maiden win. He won't be far away but is always towards the front of the market. BELMISTA (1) and GO WILD FRANKIE (5) come out of the same maiden won by Merv Decides. This looks a bit deeper. CHAMPAGNE CINDERS (12) contested the 2YO circuit last season with mixed success. There remains a big query on the strength of those races. NIGHT MISSILE (8) finished behind ALPINE ANNIE (11) at the trials but has a much better draw. SILLEACT (9) is capable of improvement.

Staking Strategy: They don't trial much better than Wane's Quest and he looks a play off that even with the obvious map queries from an outside gate. Saving on Madetobebroken who has a much lower draw and Brendon McCoull to navigate a passage through the field. 2 units to win on Wane's Quest (10) and 1 unit to win on Madetobebroken (2)

R3 Ladbroke It! Maiden, 1650m

TASSIE MISS (5) was softened up last time by an outsider and despite giving a strong kick when challenged, she was a sitting shot late. That winner ran second last week, and this looks a lot weaker than what she contested there. WILLOW WOOD (4) has been up and down in the distances but at least should see out the mile which is a query for others. SOUTHERN WIND (3) gets the blinkers on, and this is only one of three rides that Pires is taking for the day. WHO'S THE RIDER (7) jumped $4.40 last week but was disappointing. She has the visors and an apprentice going on off the quick back-up. TOUGH COOKIE (6) wasn't far off a few rivals last start.

Staking Strategy: I made Tassie Miss a special last time and it was tough watching that race unfold. She picks herself in this line-up and is a justifiably short price. Happy to make her a play, hoping she drifts out a little if money comes for any of the other runners. 6 units to win on Tassie Miss (5)

R4 Carlton And United Breweries Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1650m

ZEGREY (3) was an upset winner here a week ago over the 1880m. He pushed forward there contrary to his regular pattern but given the result it's fair to assume he'll go forward here too. SUBMIT ANOTHER (2), NEEDAREIN (1) and SAN YOU (5) all ran in the BM60 won by Wardell and each can lay claim to excuses. Submit Another raced without cover while the other two were held up for a run at key stages. It's fair to say none of the trio win out of turn though. The extra distance should be a positive for MARIPOSA (6).

Staking Strategy: I have Submit Another favourite but he's short enough now for a horse that hasn't won for 16 starts dating back to October 2019. It was a surprising, yet tough effort from Zegrey last week and similar tactics could be advantageous in the small field. 1 unit to win on Zegrey (3)

R5 Thai Imperial Benchmark 70 Hcp, 1880m

Six of the seven runners raced each other last start with the exception being POSSESSION (1) who was scratched from that race when a $2.20 chance. He beat DARGO (2) on merit at his last race appearance. Dargo had the run of the race to win last start, but he took the length of the straight to wear down RED FIORE (6) who gave plenty of cheek in front. DIXIE'S BOY (3) was the money horse in the betting that day but may have needed the run. GEEGEES ROCK OPERA (4) has a 2kg swing on the winner and was beaten under a length. WINEGLASS BAY (7) was a month between runs there while COSTERO (5) doesn't seem to show his best on the synthetic.

Staking Strategy: This is another race where the favourite picks himself but without knowing the extent of the setback that caused him to miss last start, I'm reluctant to get heavily involved at close to even money. Looking for a bit of value, there's no reason Red Fiore can't bowl along and give a sight as he did last time. 1 unit to win on Red Fiore (6)

R6 Goodstone Group Class 1 Hcp, 1009m

GEE GEE RHYTHM (3) has been hitting the line well at her past couple of starts. McCoull takes the ride, but he'll have a tricky draw to overcome. WELDBOROUGH (1) promised a lot and perhaps didn't quite deliver during his 3YO season. Despite getting to the Derby trip, his two best runs arguably came over 1100m. TECHNO AWARDS (2) resumes without a trial and his victory over Nev's Boy reads quite well now. SWEETSOP (9) took 10 starts to win her maiden but has been very consistent. Stablemate FUN 'N' FROLIC (7) has trialed twice in preparation for her return and will hold a forward position. GEE GEE REAL DEAL (8) and GEE GEES JENNIA (10) had no luck slotting in from bad barriers last time. PARTY IN STYLE (5) is an ex-Ellerton/Zahra horse that seemed to lose her way for the previous stable. Victorian form seems to indicate this may be a bit short but look for any market lead.

Staking Strategy: In an open class 1 I thought Weldborough was worth an each-way ticket here. His best runs came early in his career over the sprint trip and while I'm sure this is short of his best distance, he can run a good race, particularly with any late market support. 1 unit each-way on Weldborough (1)

R7 Kevin Sharkie Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1150m

LUCKY BUCKY (2) resumes from a break having found his best form in the care of Tanya Hanson. He hasn't raced in Devonport, but the recent trial suggested the track won't be an issue. TROJAN STORM (4) has finished second at his last five starts, beaten less than a length in all of them. OUR SHINKANSEN (3) raced wide without cover first-up and only gave ground late. She's drawn better here. HOLY DIAMOND (1) returned with a win over the 1009m sprint trip and goes up 1.5kg for that result. He has a poor second-up record, but the extra distance looks a positive and the trainer/jockey combination always warrant respect. RHYME WRITER (5) wasn't far away in better grade than this last time and will be up on the pace from a low draw. MISS EXCESS (7) has had a stable change and while 1150m looks too short, keep an eye out for any market push to suggest otherwise.

Staking Strategy: I've got a lot of time for Lucky Bucky and I'm looking forward to seeing him return here, particularly after a nice trial. Also backing Our Shinkansen who I was with last time and had little luck in that race. 2 units to win on Lucky Bucky (2) and Our Shinkansen (3)

R8 Tasmanian Horse Transport Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1350m

CHEEKY ONE (1) will try and continue her love affair with the Devonport 1350m and extend her winning streak at the T&D to six. The handicapper is finally getting hold of her, the 58.5kg she'll carry after the claim is 3kg more than any of her previous wins. HOT RELATION (3) enjoyed the run of the race last time behind Cheeky One, beaten only 0.3 lengths and meets her 3kg better. BARJEEL (2) made a nice return over an unsuitable 1150m. He's a solid commodity these days and the 1350m should be to his liking. RED HELMET (4) was a good winner last time we saw him here but that was almost two months ago, and this is a fair bit harder than that Class 1. KWAI (5) isn't proven past 1200m and the way she finished last time over 1009m didn't suggest a sharp rise in distance would be ideal. ISKRA (8) stuck to the task in front last start, but this does appear a race with good early speed.

Staking Strategy: A bit of speed has come out of this race with the scratchings. Cheeky One can race forward or back and she has a tendency to drift in the market late so I can easily see her being a backable price. The one I thought the market missed was Barjeel, who is suited up in distance and well over my assessed price at $8-$9. 3 units to win on Cheeky One (1) and 2 units to win on Barjeel (2)