3 minute read
The new racing season commences in Devonport on Sunday with the father-son training combination of Leon, Dean & Trent Wells potentially having two chances of beginning 2023/24 with a winner.
In Brief
- Bold Instinct narrowly beaten last start.
- Rebel Factor targeting Moonee Valley.
- Live hosted coverage on TasracingTV.
Bold Instinct concluded his three-year-old season with a narrow second placing in Launceston a fortnight ago after leading for all bar the last few strides of the 1220m contest.
After racing on a heavy 8 in Launceston, Bold Instinct returns to the synthetic in Devonport on Sunday to contest the Kevin Sharkie Class 2 Hcp (1150m).
"He's going really good Bold Instinct, I wasn't sure how he would handle the heavy going but Craig (Newitt) rated him a treat out in front, I just think we were beaten by a pretty smart one," said co-trainer Trent Wells.
"He's a real competitor but he's only a little boy so the 59 kilos is potentially a concern but we've rectified that with Brendon McCoull on.
"Whatever you lose with the weight you make up for with McCoull's experience, so it looks a nice race for him," added Wells with Bold Instinct drawing barrier eight in the field of 11.
Having secured his 15th premiership last Sunday in Hobart, McCoull could enter the new season how he finished the last one, with a strong book of rides including three for Adam Trinder who was responsible for 25 of his 54 winner's last season.
The second of Team Wells' runners is sweating on at least two scratchings with Katzenjammer second emergency in the Great Northern BM68 (1350m).
"He's flying Katzenjammer, but he's second emergency and I didn't really consider he might not get a run here as a 65 rater.
"1350m is his perfect trip so hopefully he can get a start and he'll be hard to beat if he does."
Moonee Valley trip for Rebel Factor
After winning a Devonport trial impressively last week, Trent Wells confirmed that an interstate kick-off point has been locked in for gun sprinter Rebel Factor.
There are two benchmark options on the Moonee Valley program next Saturday, 12 August.
"We will trial him again next Tuesday (in Devonport) and then the plan is to leave for Moonee Valley on Wednesday night.
"There is a benchmark 100 over 1000 metres or a benchmark 84 1200-metre race," Wells said.
Rebel Factor established himself as one of the state's best horses last campaign, placing in the Conquering Stakes at Listed level before winning the $75,000 WFA Ladbrokes Stakes.
The lightly raced 6YO gelding has won seven of his 11 starts, following in the footsteps of his mother Rebel Bride who amassed over $560,000 in prize money across her own brilliant career.
"At this time of year there is nothing for a horse with his rating (91) so we will see how he measures up over there, but his first main target down here will be the Newmarket."
The first of eight races in Devonport on Sunday is scheduled for 11:47, with live hosted coverage on TasracingTV provided by Jacob Bevis.
