The Devonport Racing Club host the Ladbrokes Golden Mile meeting on Wednesday, with the $50,000 feature rescheduled from three weeks earlier.
The track raced very well a week ago, indicating that previous issues are in the rearview mirror.
The first of nine races is set for 11:55am.
EAGLEFURTHER (3) had excuses last start , racing on inferior ground and pulling up with mild lameness. Can bounce back off a 6-week freshen. AZONTO (1) is fit and firing. She led till the last stride last week and gave the winner 5kg. ALPINE BLAST (4) was beaten 4 lengths last time in an easier race but was wide throughout and boxed on okay. FLOSSING (2) was sound at Hobart in a race that was dominated on speed. It has been a long time between drinks though for this 9-year-old gelding.
Staking Strategy: The first race sets the tone for the remainder of the day – small fields and with value tough to find. Eaglefurther was a forgive run at Hobart. Maps to get a comfortable lead here and should be hard to run down. 1 unit to win EAGLEFURTHER (3).
ALPINE THUNDER (1) gets to Devonport for the first time but comes with winning form and will be hard to catch over the 1009m. VOLKANOVSKI (6) had excuses last week behind a very smart winner when wide throughout. Races on the speed and small field suits. BOLD INSTINCT (2) would be competitive on best form but has finished out of the placings at his last 5 starts at this track and needs to improve. WITHIN SIGHT (5) was beaten a long at Hobart when second up but was on the worst ground and the beaten margin was a bit misleading. That said, would need to lift.
Staking Strategy: Alpine Thunder returned to his best last start. He is short enough but should roll to the front and be too good again. 1 unit to win ALPINE THUNDER (1).
CITY WOK (1) completed back-to-back wins at this track last week and on both occasions has been impressive. BELLA CHINKARA (4) a definite danger and can turn the tables. Was only beaten 1.5 lengths here last week but had to concede a start and covered more ground than City Wok. She hit the line well. FIERCE ’N FABULOUS (3) was a bit disappointing on face value at Hobart but didn’t look to appreciate the genuine soft going. Good effort here the start prior and could improve sharply. BELLSPROUT (2) looks primed to run well first up on the back of 3 trial wins.
Staking Strategy: Bella Chinkara was arguably a better run than City Wok when they clashed here last week and with a pull in the weights and drawn better , she can get another win on the board. 1 unit to win BELLA CHINKARA (4).
SIMPLY DEEP (3) couldn’t be going any better with 2 wins from his last 3 starts and was only beaten narrowly the other time. STARDARMUS (5) the other principal chance and similarly in a rich vein of form. SH’BOURNE POWER (4) completed a hat-trick of wins when too strong again at Hobart. Comes with different form lines to the top 2 but is lightly raced and has plenty of scope. STONE COLD STUNNER (1) is getting fitter but may need one more. KAKIA (2) comes off a couple of sound placings but this is tough.
Staking Strategy: It’s a toss of the coin between the two at the top of the betting. Both are flying. Leaning slightly the way of Stardamus at the better odds. 1 unit to win STARDARMUS (5).
STOLLAWAY NED (7) was arguably unlucky not to win his maiden last time when 35 days fresh. He’s been kept fresh for this and should go close. SYMPHONY QUEEN (10) has had just the one preparation and showed some ability but is likely to concede a start. GUBER (3) has had plenty of chances but he led for a long way last week against similar opposition. LYREBIRD LADY (9) was solid to the line off a wide run 7 days ago and the extra ground looks a plus and draws ideally. HARRATA (4) closed off well last start and looks suited stepping up in trip third run back. SIR WILLIAM (5) improved stepping out in trip at Hobart but was given every possible chance in front. AWESOME ORPHAN (8) was sound for the new stable last week behind Equivaster and has first 4 claims over the 1350m.
Staking Strategy: Hard to stand one out but Stollaway Ned only narrowly missed at track and trip last start and looks a solid each-way gamble. 2 units each-way STOLLAWAY NED (7).
ALKIRA (8) trialled well prior to being beaten as a $1.40 favourite. Was slowly away that day, got too far back and was never in the hunt behind an all the way winner. Can make amends. MACELLEROY (7) was hopelessly held up last week and should’ve been in the finish. ROLAND VIEW (6) has been thereabouts at all 3 runs this preparation and should be competitive again from the good gate. PRECIOUS ILLUSION (10) met with good support first up and was plain but perhaps didn’t handle the soft ground. OUT OF THE SPHERE (2) next best resuming.
Staking Strategy: Cannot possibly entertain Alkira at the $1.50 in early markets, despite her having some excuses on debut. Roland View’s should be thereabouts on recent form and Macelleroy’s last run was a better run than it looks and is over the odds. 1 unit to win ROLAND VIEW (6) and MACELLEROY (7).
BILLIE THE GREAT (3) recent form is hard to fault but will need an ounce of luck from an awkward draw. MATERIAL MADAM (4) resumes and has also drawn out but goes well first up. WILD NIGHTS (6) has had a consistent preparation and far from disgraced last time behind a smart winner. GEEGEESCHASER (11) was scratched last week from a tricky gate and now gets barrier one. He repeatedly finds one or two better but hasn’t finished out of the placings at his last 5 starts at this track . EASTCOAST MISS (5) is proven here and will find this easier than last couple. ZOETE’S ROCK (2) presents fresh and can mix his form but capable on his day.
Staking Strategy: Not the perfect gate for Material Madam but she should slot in somewhere around midfield and should get tempo to suit. 1 unit each-way MATERIAL MADAM (4).
GARCON D’ESPOIR (6) finished just out of the placings in this race last year beaten 2.6 lengths but has improved this time in and will be awfully hard to beat. COAL RIVER (2) was back to his best at Hobart leading all the way. More depth here but he gets some nice weight relief. THE LONGEST YARD (5) looks the other key chance getting out to the 1650m. Was a big run here 2 starts back with top weight. SUSHI EXPRESS (1) is chasing back-to-back wins in this race. Had only 54kg last year but now has the challenge of carrying 58kg.
Staking Strategy: Mainly with numbers 2, 5 and 6. Taking on last years winner Sushi Express who will be hard to beat but the 58kg is a concern. Garcon D’espoir has been threatening to win a race all prep and hasn’t had a lot of luck. 1 unit to win GARCON D’ESPOIR (6).
DON TURBOAS (2) hasn’t put in a bad run this preparation and perhaps a touch unlucky not to have won more races. BAILED (5) is sure to be improved off his last effort when 37 days between runs and was also sharply up in trip. BRUNY BOY (1) won a moderate maiden but the winning margin was significant and he looks capable of winning more races. THEM’S THE BREAKS (9) consistently concedes a start and hits the line but finds it hard to win. LAST TREMBLE (7) next best. OPENSEA (3) and IRISH BLOOM (10) wider hopes for first 4’s.
Staking Strategy: Cannot split Don Turboas, who gets in very well after the 4kg claim, and Bailed, who should take a stack of improvement off the last run. 2 units to win DON TURBOAS (2) and BAILED (5).
