3 minute read
The Devonport Racing Club host their final meeting before next month’s Devonport Cup with the running of the Kevin Sharkie Sheffield Cup program.
The twilight card is always very well patronised on-track and deep fields across the eight races should make for a very competitive afternoon of racing.
R1 Ladbrokes Mates Mode 2yo Maiden, 1009m
Popilita (5) showed good speed to lead in Hobart, and after being hailed the winner was grabbed late by one in the same colours who subsequently went unplaced in the Alfa Bowl. She may prove hard to run down with that run under the belt. TENNASINE (6) settled near the rear on debut but hit the line well. She drops 3kg from that run with Byrne Burke riding and racing at home is a likely advantage. THE SPIRIT OF ZERO (1) has been slowly away in two trials but very good from there. He crossed the line with Alfa Bowl winner Cairns in his first trial and beat older horses home last week. CHEROKEE DANCER (2) wasn't pushed out in her trial, nor was GEEGEESCHASER (3) in her most recent Hobart hit out.
R2 Dr "the Doc" Leslie Sender Maiden, 1150m
Egao (9) led from the rails draw in Launceston and was in front everywhere bar the post. She draws low again, and it would be a surprise to see different tactics employed. Tricky Mikki (14) covered ground in Launceston so her run perhaps had more merit than the likes of Not Bluffing (2) and Puma (3) who weren't far away in a bunched finish. He'Ll Rock It (7) had support at a price there but blew the start and was eventually looked after in the home straight. He gets a host of gear changes for a return to his home track. Geegees Hisword (6) made a solid return as a 3YO behind GeeGees Gemstone who will be fancied in the following race. Squazeemoto (4) has good early speed which took him a long way at his first start for Rowan Hamer but the white flag went up fairly quickly last start. Pinandi (13) is still only lightly raced, and the low draw may enable her to get an economical run through the field. Katzenjammer (1) didn't show a great deal in four starts for Adrian Duggan and is now in the care of Team Wells' Spreyton stable. His trial wasn't bad, and it may be worth keeping an eye out for a market lead.
R3 G.a. "joe" Mason Memorial Class 1 Hcp, 1350m
Geegees Gemstone (1) raced right up to his impressive trial with a dominant debut win where he showed he still has a lot to learn. A trip to the tight Devonport synthetic track is interesting placement but clearly, he is a horse with a stack of ability. Mascherata (2) was unlucky on Tassie debut in this grade and then rose sharply in class where she again ran well. She rises 4.5kg for the drop in grade but has a soft draw. Madetobebroken (3) was a bit slow out resuming which compromised his race. He placed at his only previous second-up run. Our Saturday (5) powered home off a slow lead pace to win a maiden where the form needs to be proven. Fanciful Flying (6) looks the leader and had to work outside a genuine tempo resuming. Needs To Belong (4) lines up for start nine this campaign and probably should've at least won one during that period but recent runs have been a bit disappointing.
R4 Rj (snow) & Nk Aylett Memorial Mdn/cl1, 1880m
Coup De Spry (1) enjoyed the run of the race for a surprise win in Launceston last start. He showed a bit in trials leading into his debut and he could go on with it now with the aid of another soft draw. Falcula (11) tracked the winner everywhere he went in Launceston but will need a good ride here from a wide barrier. Miss Peculiar (14) was close for the minor money and is trending towards a victory. A Wee Nip (10) had strong market support but off a 2100m-1600m setup settled well back and expectedly hit the line well. A low draw and a claim down to 52kg for EBB will likely see her have support again. Stablemate Rustic Charm (5) couldn't secure the same transit that saw him win two starts ago. Like most of these he's a grinder that will be in the finish with luck in the run. Hampton Bay (3) enjoyed a nice run on a genuine tempo there to just finish out of the money. Chelsea Baker has the ride this time and gate 1 is a bonus if he jumps well. Three's A Crowd (13) was a beaten favourite over a mile here a fortnight ago, a race she lost in the stewards' room. She's on trial at the trip but looks a leading hope again. Fighting Grace (12) worked home well there to just finish ahead of Klatten (6) who was a tearaway leader that fought on doggedly given she looked cooked on the home turn. Special Interest (8) and Araptor (9) jump sharply from a 1350m race that was very slowly run and must cast some doubt on their ability to be strong at the end of this trip.
R5 Mick Sims Memorial Bm68 Hcp, 1880m
BELL RINGER BOY (4) comes back in grade after finishing midfield in the Golden Mile. He showed his customary strong finish there and with any luck from back in the pack he will take holding out. ALWAYS A WINNER (5) weakened after racing on speed there and will appreciate the drop in class. NAMABAALE (3) chases a hat-trick of wins showing some versatility in the two prior Launceston victories. He's unknown at the trip and doesn't have a pilot at the time of writing. DIXIE'S BOY (6) has found a bit of form settling on speed and has a good Devonport record. MAINCOURT (2) is another horse that loves the synthetic, winning three of four at the T&D. He should be ready to peak third-up on a path to what I expect is a Longford Cup. WILLBY RULES (1) was slow out and couldn't get warm in a race controlled by the leader. 1880m has tended to be a bridge too far in the past. CAPTAIN MORGAN (11) didn't run up to the market support on Sunday in Hobart but the Devonport 1880m is probably more to his liking.
R6 Aj & Nm Skirving Memorial Bm72 Hcp, 1009m
EMILY (6) hasn't missed the quinella in six career starts and she returns having not raced since a victory in September where SIRENE STRYKER (2) finished second. Both horses have a good fresh record and went to the line in a recent trial under their own steam. MISS TUPPENCE (1) is another classy mare resuming. She closed strongly in a grass trial early in the month and has won two of three at the T&D. GEE GEE PLANE (3) couldn't wear down the leader last time in a race that was run to suit those on speed. He's a noted Devonport specialist. SPARKLING ONE (10) gets blinkers for the first time and comes off a short freshen. Expect him to inject speed into the race along with LUCKY BUCKY (8) from a low draw. It's been a while since we've seen the best of Lucky Bucky and the stable are a bit over four months since their last win. WARICA (5) has put together a win streak of three and a half, all in Launceston. This is undoubtedly his biggest test and has a sticky draw for Brooke Hanham. TITLE SHOT (11) ran up to a big market drift in Launceston where she punctured after running them along in front. She gets the tongue tie on but may have her work cut out crossing from a wide draw. O'REILLY MCLUKE (4) is a newcomer for Rowan Hamer but previous form suggests both he and stablemate RING OF HONOUR (9) may find the 1009m a bit sharp.
R7 Kevin Sharkie Sheffield Cup, 1650m
Seven of the 11 come via the Golden Mile won by RISING LIGHT (6). He pushed forward there and enjoyed the run of the race. He will carry an extra 1.5kg but shapes as a leading player again. REWARD ACHIEVER (8) also enjoyed a nice transit in the Golden Mile and caught the eye flashing late. Winkers go on her and she showed she can run a strong 1650m in that race. DRAMAZING (10) was the plunge horse a fortnight ago, but backers didn't get much of a run for the ticket where she was shuffled back and suffered a few checks for good measure. The wide draw should at least allow some clear galloping room. WHITE HAWK (3) was solid but is likely already looking for the Cup trip and ARGYLE BEACH (11) continues to race in great form, albeit out of his grade. DARK WANDERER (4) was three-wide without cover first-up in the Newmarket and then boxed on well for third in the Conquering. After winning his first five career starts, he's now two of his last 14 with no victories in the last 12 months. Bringing a different formline here may be a tonic to end the drought. ETHICAL DILEMMA (9) closed strongly five days ago over 1100m and now bobs up over a mile. SH'BOURNE RENEGADE (5) was one of the fancies for these races last year but was unfortunately scratched from the Devonport Cup. As an 8YO he may need this one with an eye to other races down the line.
R8 Alan Hardstaff Memorial 0 - 62, 1150m
GEE GEE CAN WIN (2) settled at the tail at the T&D last time but almost rounded them up to just miss. I'd prefer him at 1350m around here, but he'll be closing hard again. GEE GEE ROYBOY (7) was flushed wide early there and stuck on for third. He rarely wins but is another good chance of picking up a cheque. COPPER CHARM (4) hasn't had much go right in recent starts, jumping in the air out of the gates last time behind Michbar. She gets a senior rider on to try and right the ship. ZEWINNA (5) was on the right side of a Launceston photo last time and is another that will be closing hard and is likely looking for a bit longer. GEE GEES BUZZ (3) is a first-up winner who trialled well and has a low draw. GEE GEE GOLDENLASS (6) was a bit better than the last start reads and won a similar race in Hobart three starts ago. TENNESSEE BEACH (8) returns off a freshen and maps for a soft run with no weight on her back.
