3 minute read
Victorian-trained mare Nina Carmella delivered a stunning debut in Hobart last month to not only blitz her rivals but give connections and some astute punters a windfall.
Nina Carmella's price tumbled in from $17 to $2 before easing slightly to start the $2.50 second elect after the money came for Tarkine Eagle which jumped as favourite.
The mare's form has been franked with Tarkine Eagle winning at his subsequent outing three weeks ago, scoring by almost five lengths in a 1200-metre maiden.
Nina Carmella's Victorian trainer Tony Romeo is upbeat about the rising five-year-old's chances of keeping her unbeaten record intact in The Mills New Norfolk Class 1 Handicap over 1100m in Hobart on Sunday.
"The mare has done really well since her debut win and I would be disappointed if she didn't run well," Romeo said.
"I don't think stepping up to 1200 metres will be a problem, but it would have been better had it been over 1100m.
"She has to improve on what she did on debut because she is stepping up in class, but I am very happy with her condition and fitness going into Sunday's race."
Romeo will also saddle up his five-year-old mare Smokin' Hard in the opening race on the eight-event card, the Ladbroke It BM62 Handicap over 1600m.
Smokin' Hard comes off a last-start third to Ransom Trust in a maiden-class one over 1600m at Elwick three weeks ago.
"Smokin' Hard has continued to do well and it looks a nice race for her on Sunday.
"She's been reasonably consistent in her three runs so far in Tassie, so it would be great if she could get a win."
Finding best bets on the program won't be easy but the Terry Evans-trained Hellova Night looks well placed in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode BM76 Handicap over 1400m (race seven).
Hellova Night was a game second last start behind talented mare Reward Achiever in an open handicap over 1400m in Hobart and that mare has franked the form by winning an open event over 1600m in Launceston last Sunday against strong opposition.
Hellova Night is third-up from a spell and should be improved by his most recent outing and he finds a race that looks to have plenty of genuine speed with Sir Simon, Hezredhot and The Master Speed engaged.
The gelded son of Night of Thunder will be ridden by South Australian apprentice Lizzie Annells who claims two kilograms, which is also a plus.
Annells will partner Tarkine Eagle in the last race, the Graham Family Funerals Class 1 over 1400m and should the Tammy Mollross-trained gelding take his most recent form into the race, he should be very hard to beat.
Watch Nina Carmella win on debut in Hobart on April 19.
