3 minute read

After 10 days since the last Tasmanian thoroughbred meeting, punters have a packed nine-race card to work with in Devonport on Wednesday.

The Tapeta surface may show it's value with significant rainfall forecast for the day.

R1 Ladbrokes Owners Incentive Maiden, 1009m

The 2-year-old filly Cherokee Dancer (11) resumes on the back of two impressive trials. She hasn't been sighted since making her debut at the end of last year when a beaten favourite but did have excuses. She's the testing material. STARS IN The NIGHT (10) was rock solid behind Lacerate when heavily supported here 17 days ago. She was just found wanting the last 100m. No doubt will have derived benefit from that outing after a lengthy absence. CLOVER HILL (13) rattled home here 3 starts back over this trip behind Seydoux and was arguably unlucky. A similar performance puts her right in the finish. BELLACESCA (3) is a 5-year-old mare on debut whose trials have been encouraging. The same goes for RUBICK'S AFFAIR (12) and both have drawn to advantage. CLARA KAREN (4) and GOES LIKE THE WIND (6) next best.

Staking Strategy: Cherokee Dancer is the one to beat and already has had strong market support. Clover Hill is good odds and is suited back to this trip. 4 units to win CHEROKEE DANCER (11) and 1 unit each way CLOVER HILL (13)

R2 Ladbrokes Yard Comments Maiden, 1350m

Didn't mind the effort of Auntie Jake's Bar (12) at Hobart last start. He speared straight to the front that day with the blinkers on. He gave a kick on the turn and was only run down inside the 200. This race looks an easier assignment and the step back to 1350m a plus. The synthetic surface an unknown with him though. FLIGHT READY (3) box seated on resumption after a long layoff and was solid behind Lacerate over the 1009m. He's drawn to get a similar run today and the rise in trip is a positive. SIRENE'S LILLY (10) is limited but so is the opposition. She does have an awkward alley to overcome. Blinkers going on for the first time may assist? Wouldn't discount the chances of PINANDI (8) and RISIST CAPTURE (9). Both have some claims. LIGHTNING HAMMER (5) and OLI ALPINE (6) next best

Staking Strategy: Auntie Jake's Bar looks the likely leader and will take some running down. Flight Ready and Pinandi the main dangers. 1 unit to win FLIGHT READY (3), PINANDI (8) and AUNTIE JAKE'S BAR (12)

R3 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1350m

Keen on Captain Cam (2) who debuted here 17 days ago in a strong maiden without much luck. He was held up at a crucial stage and only saw daylight when the race was over. He'll most likely go back from his wide draw and have last crack at them. MIRA FLORES (7) has been thereabouts of late and will be hard to hold out again from a plum gate. The step up to 1350m should suit KIREINA MARUBRAH (10). She was good on debut and only got warm late. FLYING BILLIE (3) ran well behind Red Sphere when resuming and has minor claims. Next best RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (6) and LONDIANI (5)

Staking Strategy: There was plenty to like about the debut run of Captain Cam. The mare Mira Flores will be hard to hold out. 2 units to win CAPTAIN CAM (2) and MIRA FLORES (7)

R4 Thai Imperial Bm60 Hcp, 1150m

Seydoux (7) chases a hat-trick of wins here and most likely starts favourite. Can't dismiss her chances but this does seem a slightly tougher task and doesn't get the luxury of barrier 1 for a change! Main danger is ALPINE AVIATOR (4) who drops back sharply in trip but he has done this previously with success. TROJAN STORM (1) made good ground last outing behind Cornelian Bay in a slowly run race. Drops in grade and the claim assists. OUR SHINKANSEN (5) will need some luck but is racing well. LORD WHITEGATE (9) is very capable on his day. Resumes here from 12 months off but deserves respect. SCHAUFFELE (6) and UPSET (16) next best

Staking Strategy: Tough race. Seydoux is in great form but prefer to bet around him at his short quote. 1 unit to win TROJAN STORM (1), ALPINE AVIATOR (4) and OUR SHINKANSEN (5)

R5 Carlton Draught Bm60 Hcp, 1350m

There's not a heap between my top three picks. Square Donut (5) is third up and deserves a change of fortune. He hasn't had much go right at all this time in. He finished behind HERO OF ROMANI (6) who was gallant first-up in defeat behind the in form Hot Relation. He led them for a long way and was only collared very late. FAR AWAY HIT (8) the other main contender. Just needs to jump cleanly. NEEDS TO BE UNIQUE (1) can figure in the finish. Through no fault of the rider covered ground last start and held on well. The run prior he had to work a bit too hard early stages. KATZENJAMMER (4) likes to go forward but has an awkward middle draw to contend with. Has some hope but will need all the breaks. AMBIDAZZLE (2) is a new-comer to the state who does handle synthetic tracks. Market the best guide for her. Can entertain RIGHT HOOK (7) and DAWN EAGLE (9) as first four chances

Staking Strategy: Not surprisingly it's a wide market. Square Donut has drawn well and just needs the breaks at the right time to be a huge chance . 2 units to win SQUARE DONUT (5) .1 unit to win HERO OF ROMANI (6) and FAR AWAY HIT (8)

R6 Nova Design And Print Bm72 Hcp, 1009m

Found this the hardest race of the day. Azara (7) has yet to win over this shorter course but she did look extremely sharp here in a recent trial giving every indication she'll run very well. COPPER CHARM (9) comes off a 6 week freshen. Gate 1 and back to the 1009m are big plusses. SHARMA RAMA (6) will be around the mark as always. No shock to see LE CADEAU (2) get over the top of them in what looks a high pressure race. VETLANDA (10) next best then SPARKLING ONE (8). REWARD ACHIEVER (1) a first four hope but hard to see him winning over this sprint trip

Staking Strategy: The recent trial of Azara suggests she's ready to give a great sight first up but it is a race where there's a host of chances. 2 units to win AZARA (7). 1 unit to win LE CADEAU (2) and COPPER CHARM (9)

R7 Tasmanian Horse Transport Class 1 Hcp, 1009m

There's not a lot separating my top three picks and they standout from the rest. Flying To Paris (2) showed some talent at the back end of last year in better quality races than this. His two trials have been good in the lead up and he'll take a power of beating. HEY BIG SPLENDA (1) did enough in a recent trial at this venue to suggest he'll be somewhere around the mark. It's his first start in the state so hard to assess with enormous confidence. FEAR THE STING (4) the other main contender. The wide gate is no spoil with speed drawn underneath him. Has the ability though to overcome. TRICKY MKKI (7) next best. For wider exotics LACERATE (3), VOLKANOVSKI (5) and BYNANCE (10) are worth consideration

Staking Strategy: Hey Big Splenda and Flying To Paris bring strong trial form and look the hardest to beat. Can entertain Bynance as a wider chance for exotics. 2 unit to win HEY BIG SPLENDA (1) and FLYING TO PARIS (2). 1 unit each way BYNANCE (10)

R8 The Stables At Spreyton Bm68 Hcp, 1650m

Can throw a blanket of the top four picks here. Would be surprised if anything else won. Alpine Blast (4) was a decisive winner last start. Prior to that he was no match for INCRIMINATE (2) who controlled the race on that occasion. Can't fault the form of RING OF HONOUR (3). He was motoring home in a Benchmark 76 at Hobart 10 days ago. This is easier. Finally, must respect STEEL MIST (6) on the back of his fast finish behind Hot Relation 17 days back in a deep Class 3 race. PROSECUTOR (7) and FAST THINKER (8) next best

Staking Strategy: It looks a race around the top three in the market and all have a strong case. Ring Of Honour is in career best form 1 unit each way RING OF HONOUR (3)

R9 Kevin Sharkie Mdn/cl1, 1880m

Siding with the stablemates here. Needs Remembering (3) ticks a lot of boxes. Shapes up as if he will appreciate the extra journey today. He's fourth up and should be ready to peak. He looks the likely leader and doesn't mind the synthetic. HEWIE (2) looks the main danger. He only just got the job done at Hobart arriving last stride under strong riding. REWARD FOR ROSIE (10) disappointed the punters last start when racing in blinkers first time and overraced badly. They come straight off and she is definitely worthy of another chance on her prior effort behind Duncannon. POET WARRIOR (4) , SOUTHERN WIND (5) and MISS PEBBLES (9) have very similar form lines. All three are rock hard fit and have place claims at least

Staking Strategy: It looks a very suitable race for Needs Remembering on his home track over this trip. 2 units each way NEEDS REMEMBERING (3)