3 minute read

Hellova Street last assignment before All-Star Mile tilt.

Star Tasmanian galloper The Inevitable will start a short-priced favourite to win the weight-for-age Hellova Street Stakes (1600m) in Launceston on Wednesday that should pave the way for the gelding to secure a berth in next month's $5 million All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley.

The All-Star Mile is a popularity event comprising up to 15 starters of which 10 spots will be acquired according to how many votes the horses accrue from the public.

The Inevitable, aka Neville, has racked up about 4000 votes to be sitting in seventh place on the vote ladder and about 2000 votes ahead of 10th place.

Trainer Scott Brunton was in two minds about starting his stable star in the Hellova Street but in the end, he decided it would be more beneficial for the horse to go into the All-Star Mile off a shorter break.

"Neville has done so well since his win in the Thomas Lyons (in Hobart 10 days ago) that I had no qualms about taking him to the Hellova Street on Wednesday," Brunton said.

Brunton trained Hellova Street, the horse after which Wednesday's weight-for-age classic is named and it would mean a lot to him and partner Tegan Keys, who regarded Hellova Street as her favourite racehorse.

If The Inevitable emerges triumphant in the Hellova Street. he will have made a clean sweep of the state's suite of Listed feature races on the 2022-23 calendar.

The Hellova Street is his to lose with no interstate invaders in the field of seven courtesy of the early scratchings of the Matthew Brown-trained Prix De Turn that went around in a race at Flemington last Saturday and The Inevitable's stablemate First Accused also is out.

John Blacker is quietly confident his stable star Swoop Dog can cause an upset even though he is dropping back dramatically in distance from the Hobart Cup (2400m) to 1600m.

"I thought long and hard about heading Swoop Dog to the Hellova Street and I'm sure we've made the right move," Blacker said.

Alpine Wolf can be ridden on-speed and if the track plays like it did on Sunday, those that get back and try to run on, which is The Inevitable's pattern, might be vulnerable.

The Group 3 Armidale Stud Vamos Stakes for fillies and mares is the other main feature on the 10-event card and is a wide-open betting affair with recent Bow Mistress runner-up Embeller the early favourite at $4.50.

The Barry Campbell-trained mare Emily is just behind Embeller and has been well supported from $7. She ran on Sunday to finish second, beaten almost three lengths, to Turk Warrior in the 3 & 4YO Tasmanian Magic Millions Classic over 1400m, and could be a doubtful starter.

The value could be the Siggy Carr-trained Queenborough Flyer that raced outside the leader Dance To Dubai in the Bow Mistress 12 days ago after being set alight early to find a spot from a wide gate.

Ridden a bit more conservatively the daughter of Alpine Eagle could make her presence felt at the business end.