3 minute read
An eight-race card in Devonport kicks off the new racing season this Sunday.
The first event of the day is scheduled for 11:47.
R1 Ladbrokes Yard Comments Maiden, 1009m
Muisca (4) was very good behind Ian's Finale last outing in what shapes up as a decent form race. She's the one to beat. Debutant SMART ARTIE (9) has trialled soundly but does have a task from his gate over this short course. Stablemate IKIGAI KATSUMI (12) resumes after a forgivable run back in February and is capable of sharp improvement. EASTCOAST MISS (10) led and stayed on soundly when she resumed a month back. Sure to be improved. STARS IN THE NIGHT (7) is always around the mark and has minor claims. Newcomer to the state PERIWNKLE (5) did enough in a recent trial to suggest she could be competitive here. Next best ZECOUGAR (8) who resumes with the blinkers going on first time.
Staking Strategy: Muisca ran very well when resuming. Wary of a couple of others in the race but she's the one to beat . 2 units to win MUISCA (4). 1 unit to win IKIGAI KATSUMI (12)
R2 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1350m
Captain Cam (3) didn't look like he handled the heavy at Launceston last start. Big plus for him back onto the synthetic and he maps perfectly. Should get the back of the likely leader OZTURK (9) who was been narrowly denied at both of her only starts. Sure to take some running down. FIRE ON MAZZ (7) has been a consistent performer since arriving in the state. Wasn't far away last outing but was just a bit one-paced. A LITTLE DECEIT (1) has been hitting the line well of late. Can win if the tempo suits. AUNTIE JAKE'S BAR (2) was awful on the heavy in Launceston and a total forgive run. Form prior was solid and can bounce back but the outside gate the issue. Next best PUMA (4).
Staking Strategy: Captain Cam has had excuses at his past two outings and prepared to give him one more chance. 2 units each way CAPTAIN CAM (3)
R3 The Stables At Spreyton Maiden, 1350m
The lightly raced 7-year-old Big John (2) hasn't raced since May of last year. His two recent trial wins have been excellent and looks primed to run very well despite an awkward draw. LOVE NEST (7) was very heavily supported when resuming and never threatened at any stage albeit didn't have a lot of luck. Run was inconclusive so must give her another chance. Ex-Victorian MYSTIC HOPE (4) resumed here three weeks ago and was only just collared after being well rated in front. Has claims again. Debutant LI'L HAIL MARY (6) has been very well educated to say the least. Been to the trials 10 times since April last year and does look to have her share of ability. WHIZ BY (5) is an eight start maiden making his first appearance in the state. Races on the speed and the form reads okay. Market best guide. Next best MISS TANZANITE (8) and ARAPTOR (1).
Staking Strategy: Big John has caught the eye at recent trials after a lengthy absence. Confidence buoyed by early market support. 5 units to win BIG JOHN (2)
R4 Jockey Celebration Day Class 1 Hcp, 1350m
Steele My Sunshine (6) broke through last start and won with a bit of authority. Can go with it here on her home track. Obviously have to respect the chances of DRINKS AT VISTA (1). Had a seven-week break since her last run in Victoria and the blinkers go on. Her only win came at the end of last year over 1700m at Geelong by 3 lengths but worth noting the form out of the race hasn't been great. RUE DE PALAIS (3) did have his chance last start but never seemed totally comfortable on the heavy going at Launceston. Synthetic an unknown though. They rode BETTER THAN BANKSY (4) quiet last start, ripped the blinkers off and and he was a different horse breaking his maiden status in good style in a class 1 race. TRICKY MIKKI (10) has minor claims. ALPINE ASSAULT (11) best hope at odds.
Staking Strategy: Steele My Sunshine stepped out in trip and won his maiden with a bit in hand a fortnight back. This is clearly tougher but happy to stick. 1 unit each way STEELE MY SUNSHINE (6)
R5 Great Northern Bm68 Hcp, 1350m
It was a narrow but impressive win by Sharma's Last (5) when he resumed three weeks back. He picked up stylishly late and stamped his class overhauling SQUARE DONUT (6) in the last few bounds. HOT RELATION (9) is 3 from 3 for his new stable and has done it at both ends of the state. He is deadest flying and poses a huge threat again. RING OF HONOUR (4) has been a model of consistency over the winter months in similar grade and won't be far away. UBRIACO (7) most likely gets the leader's back from gate 1 and is not without some hope.
Staking Strategy: Hard to go past the promising Sharma's Last but concede he's short enough in a fairly deep race. 3 units to win SHARMA'S LAST (5)
R6 Kevin Sharkie Class 2 Hcp, 1150m
Tequila Spirit (6) was a dominant trial winner at this venue recently giving his rivals a galloping lesson under minimal effort. Looks very hard to beat. One of her main threats is BELLASARIO (5) who was an impressive last start winner winding up strongly late from well back. BOLD INSTINCT (1) was only narrowly defeated last start at Launceston after having every possible chance in front. Unlikely he leads here given that there's plenty of pace drawn in but that may work out favourably. VOKES (4) was ordinary resuming. Been back to the trials since and has had a couple of gear changes to boot. Her best is clearly good enough if she's right. MCSWEYN (3) has returned in good order and is a first four chance again. Can't imagine HEY BIG SPLENDA (2) winning this but a better showing is on the cards returning to the synthetic.
Staking Strategy: Newcomer to the state Tequila Spirit has solid synthetic form on the mainland and trialled particularly well here recently 2 units each way TEQUILA SPIRIT (6)
R7 Tasmanian Horse Transport Bm60 Hcp, 1650m
Trickiest race of the day with many different form references to line up. Doonican (9) is a good starting point and one of the key players. He missed by a whisker last outing when nailed right on the post by the in-form Blonde Suspect. He'll be tough to hold out. RUSTIC CHARM (6) did enough first-up on a heavy track in an on pace dominated race at Launceston. One start for one win at this venue and stepping out to the mile will aid his cause. Like the map for O'REILLY MCLUKE (3). He can lead and control the race or box seat. Should get his chance. It wouldn't shock to see improvement from THREE'S A CROWD (12). He hasn't looked likely first couple of runs since resuming but returns to his home track third-up with the blinkers back on and can feature. ZEVA ROYALE (8) is another that can improve. Didn't fire on her return at Hobart on a very windy day and prepared to overlook. No knock at all on the form of JACKJACK (2) but potentially has too tough an assignment from back in the field.
Staking Strategy: The most open race of the day. Doonican was stiff last start. Three's A Crowd is capable of sharp improvement. Ditto Zeva Royale. 1 unit to win ZEVA ROYALE (8), DOONICAN (9) and THREE'S A CROWD (12)
R8 Thai Imperial Bm60 Hcp, 1880m
Indigo Girls (7) resumed from a year off the scene back in early June and has been steadily building form and fitness. Expect her to be peaking fourth up today. She didn't finish far away last start from the course specialist BLONDE SUSPECT (1) who keeps delivering week in week out. He's been up forever but is showing no signs of tapering off. LUNA TOO (7) travels over from Melbourne for the first time bringing respectable recent synthetic form and looks the other main chance. ALWAYS A WINNER (2) is in the mix and he has a reasonable record (9:0-3-2) at this venue. Have to query his fitness though having only raced once since the end of January. MACS RELAXED (5) was quickly stepped out in trip after breaking through for his maiden victory in early July. He was close-up in a busy finish and is sure to have derived benefit. REWARD FOR ROSIE (9) and EXPENSIVE MISTAKE (6) next best.
Staking Strategy: Another open contest. Indigo Girls will appreciate stepping out to this trip and expecting she'll peak and go close fourth up today. 1 unit to win, 3 units to place INDIGO GIRLS (7)
