3 minute read
A big day of racing awaits punters in Devonport on Sunday with 10 races to find a winner.
It's an exciting program with the 2YO handicap attracting some nice types including debut winner Alpine Wolf, who will face stiff competition from the likes of Listed placegetter Miss Charlie Brown and Coeur De Lyon.
Rounding out the day is the unbeaten And Beyond, aiming for his sixth win in an outstanding first season of racing.
R1 Memberships Now Available Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1650m
UP WIND (4) was a good thing beaten to open the program a fortnight ago when unable to get clear air until the race is over. He may already be looking for further, but this is no harder. OVERPLAY (1) has returned with two good runs for the Glenn Stevenson stable, stepping up in distance each time. He should enjoy a nice run from a middle draw, having drawn wide at both runs this campaign. GALWAY GIRL (2) was a big drifter but bounced back last time after a down run two starts ago. Either her or UNDERPLAY (3) may lead which is rarely a bad place to be in a small field. ELISAVET (5) was poor last time but won in this grade over the T&D two starts ago.
R2 Goodstone Group Maiden, 1150m
LACERATE (11) takes on the older horses having run into one that looks smart in a 2YO maiden a fortnight ago. He'll roll forward with the test being the last part of the race, stepping up to 1150m. CLIFTON DANSEUR (1) resumes having started short at all three career runs. His trials have only been fair, and Brendon McCoull has a wide draw to overcome. UBRIACO (4) caught the eye flashing home on debut back in May but is another drawn off the track. KARNAK KID (3) and BOSS CHEYENNE (6) were no match for the outsider Master Truffles, but they ran pretty good time in that race. Both have each-way claims. FRENCH KISS (12) is another 2YO who hasn't shown much at the races but did trial ok. ZOTTI (5) has hit the line well in both of his runs but may find this a bit short.
R3 Leaping Goat Coffee Maiden, 1150m
NEEDAREIN (3) was scratched last week to run here. No luck with the draw but the form from his two seconds this campaign has held up well. GEE GEE PLANE (1) and MISS RED (7) come via the same race and weren't far away. Gee Gee Plane was on debut there so should improve but raced like 1350m may have been the next target. 2YO's GEE GEES SO TRUE (11) and BRAZEN IMPULSE (10) didn't have much between them and that form gets a push if Lacerate runs well in the previous race. This is a strange setup for the other 2YO, KRUPT CANDY (12), who was unplaced over 1390m last week when sent out a $3.90 chance. Look for any market lead on DI’S A DANCER (6) and I’M THE BOLDEST (2) who have changed hands since they last raced.
R4 Ladbrokes 2yo Hcp, 1009m
ALPINE WOLF (2) made a huge impression winning on debut here a fortnight ago. His winning time was over a second faster than COEUR DE LYON (3) when he won over the same trip a few weeks earlier. Both horses will need to overcome the two widest draws. MISS CHARLIE BROWN (1) showed herself to arguably be the second best 2YO in the state behind Turk Warrior through the season. She'll need to carry 59kg as a result of her performances and 1009m is certainly much shorter than where she will get to in time. NEUTRALIZE (8) will hold a forward position from the inside draw and has the tongue tie on for her first look at the synthetic. CONFIDENT TYPHOON (9) has had a stable change and wasn't far off Coeur De Lyon when they trialled early last week.
R5 Kevin Sharkie Mdn/cl1, 1880m
SIZZKYE (6) took 38 starts to win her maiden and did so in the same grade of race over this distance last start. She came from last to beat DEER POACHER (3) who led the field. Deer Poacher has a 3kg swing in his favour and will take benefit from that run being third-up here. CAPTAIN MORGAN (1) is another horse looking to break a drought, he's 26 starts without a win. The 5YO has started single figures at 15 Tasmanian starts so it's fair to say he's had a few chances, but this is another. CROWNED TAINUI (7) and SHORT ‘N’ REGAL (10) were good enough for this two starts ago and each have a senior rider going on. Interesting debut point for DOMQUALO (8) who trialled earlier in the week, and I'd be keeping an eye on any market lead. SIGNAL HILL (5) arguably has the best performances on the board and was entitled to weaken last Sunday after a torrid run.
R6 Thai Imperial 0-66, 1880m
DARGO (2) and POSSESSION (1) fought out the finish over this distance in higher grade last time. Both rise in weight but despite Dargo winning that race, he'll have a 2.5kg swing in his favour. It may be worth watching the market late on Dargo who has been very well supported at both Tassie wins. MISS EXCESS (6) was third in that race and is perhaps better ridden with a sit but is also a query at the distance. GEE GEES MAGIC MAN (3) was backed at a price and grew a leg getting back to the synthetic over a mile. He's now placed at 11 of 13 Devonport runs. SPIHRO (7), HERO OF ROMANI (4) and GEEGEES ROCK OPERA (5) filled the placings behind Gee Gee Magic Man. With a bit of weight off his back I tend to think Hero of Romani has the upside of that quartet, but this will be his first run over 1880m.
R7 Carlton And United Breweries 0-60, 1650m
HUNCH (2) has his first start on the synthetic since transferring to Scott Brunton. He wasn't far away in harder grade than this last time with some form coming out of that race on Sunday. NEEDADOLLARBILL (1) was doing his best work late last time but now jumps sharply from 1150m to 1650m, rising 2.5kg in the process. The query is whether he'll need this one, which is also the case for INNOCENT PEGG (7) who gets to the mile for the first time with 39 days between runs. GEE GEE CAUGHTYA (6) received a pass mark first-up and will only be suited by the rise in distance. TEE JAY FRANKIE (3) had favours up on-speed last time but running a place resembled something of a form turnaround. GEEGEES FIRST LADY (10) has the blinkers back on and should be ready for this distance fourth-up. SEBEAT (5) has had one Tassie start over an unsuitable distance, and while the trial was fine, is another who may be better for the run here.
R8 Birdcage Tavern & Function Centre Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1150m
Most of these faced each other last start and it's hard to rule many out. MICHBAR (4) received a top ride from Brendon McCoull to win in this grade last time over 1009m. Byrne Burke taking the ride means he'll meet ARTUSO (2), SHARMA RAMA (11) and HANNAH’S SONG (7) all better at the weights with less than a length between that group last time they met. That race was somewhat marred by GEE GEE DEVONBOY (6) losing the rider which impacted the heavily supported REWARD ACHIEVER (12) who was $5.50 into $3.40. SH’BOURNE REBEL (1) ran on powerfully from the tail to be first home of those coming via the 1150m BM66. That was a good run, but he may be looking for 1350m now. SPARKLING ONE (9) will strip fitter for her fourth in that race where she chased a hot speed. GEE GEES TEARDROP (8) was carved up in front there and did a good job to stick on. ARAGON STAR (5) placed in that race and was held up at a key stage in the home straight. This looks a bit harder for LADY JOKER (13) and she's drawn off the track, though the form from that win has since held up well.
R9 Tasmanian Horse Transport Class 1 Hcp, 1350m
DEEP KNEAD (2) has had one Tasmanian start for a win, beating the promising Dramazing with big margins through the field. The gap between runs in a slight query but fitness is rarely an issue with the Michael Trinder stable. MASTER TRUFFLES (3) broke his maiden at a big price but ran good time in the process. Third in that race was RED HELMET (4) who came out and won next start. Both horses draw near the inside. HOT RELATION (1) is back in class and was better last time after a disappointing run first-up. RED ROGER (7) had no hope settling well back in a slowly run race when he returned to his home track. He's drawn poorly again, and I wouldn't be surprised if they try a change of tactics. Both WARDELL (6) and RISING LIGHT (5) trialled well and interestingly resume over 1350m, suggesting they'll be looking for more ground later in the campaign. GOLD CURRENT (8) wasn't far away in this class over the T&D last time and PUNK PRINCESS (9) will appreciate the extra ground, with winkers applied at start two for John Blacker.
R10 Nova Design And Print Benchmark 78 Hcp, 1350m
AND BEYOND (1) looks to extend the unbeaten start to his career to six. He closed strongly from off the speed to win at his first Devonport appearance. He was scratched here a fortnight ago, so that setback and rising to 1350m for the first time are the potential negatives against a short price. DATE NIGHT (2) relished having the weight off his back to win last time. On paper, it should be a stronger battle up front. RISING HSIANG (5) plummets in the weights and is unbeaten at the T&D. The horse has been up for a while but if he holds form, he can bounce back. SANCTION KING (4) was perhaps a touch plain when finishing behind Date Night as $2 favourite. He has a 4kg swing in his favour against LESNAR (3) from when they met in April. Open race if the favourite doesn't run to expectation.