3 minute read
Talented sprinter Algernon has a great record on the Hobart track and particularly over the 1100-metre trip, which is why he is likely to start favourite to take out the Winzenberg Handicap on Wednesday.
In Brief
- Algernon has three wins from four starts over 1100m in Hobart.
- Star-studded line-up for Winzenberg.
- Geegee Jet By out to remain unbeaten in Alexandra Plate.
The Winzenberg often has a couple of the state's better sprinters engaged but this edition resembles a mini-Newmarket.
Algernon has such a good record over 1100m on the Hobart track that he is likely to start favourite as his only failure from four tries was a last-start fourth to And Beyond in the Goodwood Handicap in mid-November.
From barrier two, apprentice Brandon Louis should be able to find a good spot no worse than midfield and with only 54kg on his back the gelded son of Wordsmith will get his chance to add a feature race to his CV.
Amongst the list of A-graders is 2020 Newmarket Handicap winner Gee Gee Secondover that was far from disgraced in this year's edition and he has earned his 61kg.
Street Tough and Blaze Forth are all quality sprinters and they too should make their presence felt and former Sydneysider Jaja Chaboogie, that won a benchmark 76 in Launceston two weeks ago, also could figure.
The only one likely to make up numbers is major cups hope Captain Cook that will know he's in a race if he tries to match it with some of these speedsters.
Barrier draws should have little consequence, although Algernon (2) and Street Tough (4) are drawn the best as they are likely to settle no worse midfield from their favourable draws, provided outsider Little River Boy sets the tempo from barrier one.
Jaja Chaboogie has a record of five wins and as many placings from 15 starts of which 13 of those were with the Kris Lees stable in NSW.
Her best form over the sprint distances have been on heavy tracks and just prior to making her way to Julie Richards' stable she was winning over 1600m, but she was dominant in Launceston last start over 1200m and only needs to bring that form to make her presence felt.
First Accused, that has promised a lot, takes good form into this race but he might be best placed over a longer trip.
Liffeybeau is good first-up and his trainer Michael Trinder has targeted this race for the eight-year-old, but he has drawn barrier nine and might struggle to find a decent spot from the outside gate.
The 2YO Alexandra Plate is the other feature race on the program and unbeaten gelding Geegee Jet By from the Stuart Gandy stable should be able to stretch his winning sequence to three.
His stablemate Elmajay has had only one start for a close second to Ella Exceeds in Hobart four weeks ago and she has since won an 800-metre trial eight days ago defeating Bahia Bay and Remuda that are both making their debuts here.
Adam Trinder's Bello Bay also makes his debut, and this gelded son of Brazen Beau could not have been more impressive in winning a 700-metre trial at Longford three weeks go winning by 2-1/2 lengths with a bit in reserve.
