3 minute read
The winner of the $30,000 feature race is guaranteed a start in the Ladbrokes Devonport Cup early in the new year.
R1 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1009m
NEUTRALIZE (12) resumes with a pair of nice Hobart trials behind her, the latest in the fastest time for the day. She's run well at this track in the past. LACERATE (7) won his Devonport trial by panels albeit in moderate time. He has good early speed and the 1009m suits, particularly first-up. GEE GEES SO TRUE (4) is another recent trial winner, running about four lengths quicker than Lacerate on the same day. He was punched out to finish just ahead of FAIRY FLING (11) who makes her debut. WANE'S QUEST (9) gets the blinkers on after a pretty ordinary trial showing in Hobart. ROHZHAE (8) was scratched last Wednesday due to an issue on the way to Launceston and he was $10 into about $5 there. GOOGA THE GOAT (5) trialled much better back in July than he did in November. He has the blinkers but a poor draw. I'M KRUPT (6) wasn't asked for the supreme effort in his latest trial and has a few gear fiddles for his debut run.
R2 Carlton & United Breweries Class 1 Hcp, 1150m
REBEL FACTOR (1) was first home of those that come via the class 1 won by Majestic Diamond who was good in the 3YO Cup on Wednesday night. Barrier 6 may potentially be a little tricky and require an early decision from Siggy Carr. GEE GEE ALS PRINCE (3) never saw daylight in that race and was a clear forgive run while FAR AWAY HIT (6) covered ground from a poor draw. She was scratched from Wednesday to run here. The form from the debut win of ASHMANIA (4) has held up well and her recent trial was a touch inconclusive as she checked off heels early as the winner scooted away. The only win in Tasmania for MADETOBEBROKEN (2) came with Brendon McCoull in the saddle who is back aboard on Friday.
R3 Birdcage Tavern & Function Centre Benchmark 68 Hcp, 1150m
The consistent RED LETTER LADY (7) returns to a track where she hasn't missed a place in five career starts. She was flopped out the back in a trial on Tuesday to keep her up to the mark. She was $3.70 favourite last start in a race that also featured SIRENE STRYKER (8) running home strongly from back in the field and MICHBAR (9) who was disappointing after settling just behind the speed. Bar plates on Sirene Stryker is always a slight query. The return to Devonport doesn't appear a negative for any of that trio. WARRIOR PRINCE (6) has had two excellent trials, the latest in fast time where he ran past ARTUSO (5) who led. Expect both horses to push forward in a quality race despite the smallish field.
R4 Thai Imperial Benchmark 62 Hcp, 1650m
NEEDADOLLARBILL (4) rose sharply from 1200m to 1600m last start and ran third to a pair that finished as the quinella again in Hobart last Sunday. GREGORIAN CHANT (2) drew the wrong part of the track last start in Launceston. Interestingly Codi Jordan rides RAGHU (1) leaving Jemma Curtain on the Glenn Stevenson-trained mare. She may not be the easiest ride given she's a horse with a few known quirks. Raghu doesn't go a yard in the wet so expect improvement even with a big weight. SHEWEARSTHEPANTS (7) was better last start after being flushed out early in the run. SUBMIT ANOTHER (8) hasn't won for a long time but three of her four career wins have come at the T&D. The extra distance will suit WE NEED A STAR (5) who has placed in over half her starts in Devonport.
R5 Ladbrokes Golden Mile, 1650m
It was a good training performance from Bill Ryan to have SH'BOURNE RENEGADE (2) fit enough to win first-up over a mile. He had a soft trial on Tuesday and draws well for Brendon McCoull. QUEEN LA DIVA (4) was the well-supported $2.30 favourite in the same race but faded in the straight after leading. She disappointed in her one previous Devonport run so the jury is out a little on her. BALEARIC (1) was also in that race, since going on to win in Hobart last Sunday. He's built an impressive career record and warrants respect anywhere he goes. ASSARANCA (6) is going for four straight wins. She's been feasting on small fields and slow tempos in Launceston so we will get a better understanding of her Devonport Cup credentials in this race but her recent trial was impressive. VALLABAR (7) and RISING LIGHT (10) had support in Hobart, but both were grabbed late by one that had the drop in them. David Pires hasn't ridden close to 54kg in a while which suggests he has a strong opinion of the horse. BANCA NIP (9) wasn't far off Rising Light three starts ago. His fifth-place finish last start is misleading as he was beaten under half a length. It was a train wreck for OVERPLAY (5) last time which came on the back of an all the way win. This looks a race with a bit of speed so tactics on him will be interesting.
R6 Tasmanian Horse Transport 0-60, 1150m
CHAMPAGNE CINDERS (7) was caught in a speed battle last time and weakened out badly. The drop in distance is likely to suit her given her racing pattern. She'll have competition from DIVISOR (1) up front who lacks a turn of foot but runs well when able to bowl along on speed. He goes well in Devonport but the 1150m may be a bit sharp. HAS THE LOOK (3) will be giving a start but will take holding out late. Her recent trial was good and she gets visors for the first time. SILENT DREAMER (2) was in the right part of the track in a hot class 1 where the form is tested earlier in the night. Blinkers go on him from the pole draw. TILTHEREWARSYOU (6) has had a stable change since an uncharacteristically poor performance last start.
R7 Kevin Sharkie Class 1 Hcp, 1350m
CHOSEN EAGLE (3) was heavily backed to break his maiden and did so, albeit perhaps not by the margin the market expected. He is on the rise but has a wide draw for Brendon McCoull to overcome. THE BEEKEEPER (2) has had a freshen since a long campaign that saw him earning consistent cheques for connections. He makes his own luck on the speed. UBRIACO (1) ran a couple of nice races to start the prep before a forgive run last time where he was caught wide. His only win came at the T&D. NEED A FLUTTER (7) was a successful plunge pulled off in Hobart before she was found wanting in good 3YO company. The drop in class will help. INNOCENT PEGG (5) has the scalp of Cheeky One back in May before that horse went on a winning tear. She gets a senior rider back on after the apprentice made an early move first-up. HERMAN'S BELLS (4) is finding win number two hard to come by but will be suited by the rise in distance after a 1000m effort where the winner ran them off their legs.
R8 Lending 4 U Benchmark 62 Hcp, 1350m
ANACREON (6) has been a useful addition to the stables of Adam Trinder. She has been towards the head of the market at her past three starts, all over a mile. She'll get a good run for Siggy Carr who replaces the suspended EBB. ISKRA (3) was poor compared to market expectation in Hobart. Returning to Devonport she could easily bounce back. HUON CHIEF (2) was never on the track last time so the run is a bit better than it reads and he has drawn well. This is a strange setup for DIXIE'S BOY (1) who was beaten out of sight in a 2150m race three weeks ago. SEBEAT (5) and SILVER ROAD (4) were safely held last time but will strip fitter and Incriminate would be very short in this field. SAN YOU (7) is 2/56 in his career but tends to run well when the market comes for him so keep an eye out for a betting lead.
