3 minute read
The Summer Racing Festival switches to the north west coast on Wednesday for the running of the $125,000 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup (1880m), which has attracted a quality field with a host of chances.
The Summer Racing Festival switches to the north west coast on Wednesday for the running of the $125,000 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup (1880m), which has attracted a quality field with a host of chances.
Last start, Sheffield Cup (1650m) winner Hype has been installed as the favourite in early markets, but the horse he beat in a photo finish that day, Alpine Wolf, has already come in for support, firming from $8.50 into $4.60.
Alpine Wolf is trying to go one better than last year when he was nosed out by Swoop Dog, who is the top weight for this year's race and rated a $6.50 chance to go back-to-back.
Glenn Stevenson, whose stable is firing at the moment, is trying for his first hometown Cup success principally with Ashy Boy, a relative newcomer to the stable who has won twice from three starts since joining Stevenson.
"I'm so happy Ashy Boy has drawn a good gate (barrier 6), so it gives him a chance and got the 'frog' (Craig Newitt) on, and you know how much he loves a Devonport Cup.
"There's probably five or six who can win it, but we're in with a chance," Stevenson said.
Newitt has won the Devonport Cup a record seven times; Ashy Boy is rated a $6.50 chance, and Stevenson will also saddle up Three's A Crowd ($41) in the Cup.
Hype has done little wrong since switching to Tasmania with outstanding runs in the Newmarket Hcp (1200m) and the Conquering at WFA (1400m) before his narrow but impressive Devonport win just before Christmas.
"He's really good; his work this week has been really sharp; he's bouncing around the paddock at home, so I'm pretty happy with him," trainer Aiden Nunn said.
The widely travelled 6YO, who has raced in his native Ireland, Queensland, NSW and Victoria before landing in Tasmania, has won up to 1650m, but Wednesday will be his first try at 1880m.
"I think he will be alright as long as he settles in the first half of the race; I think he will really attack the line.
"With how he races, the 1880m shouldn't be a worry; he's bred to get further."
Nunn is trying for his second Devonport Cup, he won the race six years ago with Brilliant Jet ."They've got similar attributes, this horse is a quality horse, but I've had to teach him to settle.
"Brilliant Jet I bred, and I don't think we got to see the best of him, but this fellow has a much better turn of the foot compared to Brilliant Jet."
Victorian trainer Lindsey Smith has Kaptain Kaos ($14) in the Cup, and Fred Kersley has the ride. The 6YO has drawn poorly and will start from barrier 14 in a field of 14, while Adam Trinder will saddle up last start Golden Mile winner Miss Charlie Brown, who has shortened from $11.50 into $7.
My best for the day is an each-way chance in the first, Akiara. I didn't mind her run at this track last time out when beaten 2.5 lengths. Winkers go on, softer barrier draw, and she should be nice odds.
Full coverage of Devonport Cup Day will be provided on TasracingTV with Matt Reid and Duncan Dornauf. The first of 10 races is set for 12.27.
