3 minute read

Expecting a genuinely run Cup in 2023 with I’m So Cool the likely leader, crossing Military Mission and Rising Light from wide on the track.

The multiple time Group 3 winner is the highest rated horse in the race, primarily off the back of performances going back two/three years. His only victory since May 2021 came two starts ago at Flemington where he kicked off a slow tempo over 2000m. He looked to have his chance last time at Warwick Farm over 2400m but a second there appears the strongest of the lead-up form. Carries a clear top weight but Ho Ho Khan was victorious with a big impost as recently as last year, and Blake Shinn from gate 4 are clear positives.

Siggy Carr aims to make it four wins on the trot for John Blacker's in-form stable star and she'll be hard pressed to give the 5YO a better steer than she has when winning the Longford, Devonport and Summer Cups. Landed in the right spot here last time to pinch a winning break in what was a slowly run 2200m. Clearly flying but a lingering doubt remains for me on whether he will be strong late if this is a genuine staying affair.

The 8YO was plunged in betting to start favourite in the Summer Cup where he could only one bat in a race that showed he doesn't have much of a turn of foot. Like the toppy, most of his victories came a long time ago but he's likely to have benefited from his one Tasmanian start and acclimatising to his new surrounds. Any give in the track would be a bonus but the forecast suggests that is unlikely.

She showed she still had plenty left in the tank with a powerful victory in the Brighton Cup, before being ridden quietly in the Summer Cup to produce the best closing sectionals of the entire meeting. Barrier 1 is a clear negative for a horse that will settle in the back half, she drew the same marble last year and was forced to race in the inferior going by that stage of the meeting. Best chance of the locals for mine but will need a great ride from apprentice Chelsea Baker on the biggest stage of her budding career.

The Waterhouse/Bott  and Winona Costin combination recently tasted success in the Tasmanian Guineas with Russian Roni and they go again here with 5YO Military Mission. He started a slightly longer price than Spirit Ridge when finishing behind him last start at Warwick Farm and will meet him 1kg worse at the weights. Drawn to either lead or camp behind whatever crosses him, if either he or the toppy wins the race they'll be the first NSW-trained horse to win the Hobart Cup since Bid Spotter in 2011.

A three-time winner as a 3YO, Aint'nodeeldun had an absence from the track of nearly 500 days following that season and delivered his fourth career win last start in BM78 company where he made a sustained run from back in the field. He's less exposed than most in this field and he'll be having his first start over the 2400m Cup journey. Drawn a bit awkwardly in 10 for Michael Dee but shapes as a potential wildcard in the race.

The 9YO veteran is probably ticking over a bit better than his runs read on paper but clearly isn't going as well as 2022 where he finished third in the race. Receives a new pilot on Sunday with Stan Tsaikos taking the ride and while a win would be a major shock, running into minor money would be no great surprise for the fan favourite.

The emerging 5YO continued his outstanding campaign with a second in the Summer Cup where admittedly he did enjoy a nice run. That certainly wasn't the case at the start prior in Devonport where he was wide for the trip and still only just missed the placings. Has a soft draw here for apprentice Erica Byrne Burke and the horse appears to arrive for his biggest test at his peak.

9. Dramazing(13) – assessed price $35

Unlucky in the Devonport Cup, Dramazing was a bit disappointing in the Summer Cup where she didn't really run on from back in the field. I really like her as a horse but can't help but think a couple got away from her during the Devonport stretch of the Summer Racing Festival. Likely to be out the back from barrier 13 barring a change of tactics, and would need to go to a new level to be winning from there.

Another one of the local stayers on the way up, Travelling Gigolo hasn't had a lot of luck in either of the Hobart lead-ups where he's been caught cluttered up on the rail. He loves racing on his home track and is in great form but would prefer him in something around his own class bracket.

Led the Summer Cup on his terms and kicked on to run third which saw him sent out a much shorter quote in last Sunday's Sydeston Cup where again he wasn't beaten far. I suspect on the quick back-up his best chances of running a cheeky race might be to employ catch me if you can tactics.

He was scratched from the Sydeston Cup where bookies opened him around the $12-$15 mark. I think that was about right in a field much easier than this, making him one of the real outsiders here.

Scratched at the barriers from the Brighton Cup, it feels like the prep may have snowballed a little for Steel Skies who has had two tough runs since that late scratching. Only a 63-rater who looks outclassed but at least should be hard fit.