Steve Christies Devonport Set: All-important staking strategy for Sunday’s meeting

STRATO KEN (2) draws well and looks ready to win after going down by the narrowest of margins last start. DON TURBOAS (1) returns from a break and has shown ability fresh including a placing here on debut. NUNKERI (5) has managed only the one placing so far from six starts and would need to lift on recent efforts. A similar story with AWESOME ORPHAN (3) while the lightly raced STRIP’N’TOUGH (6) has winning trial form at Devonport and could be an improver with a host of gear changes. GOTTERUP (4) is bred to have ability but trialled only fairly.

TIKKEN (3) brings only moderate mainland form but can measure up here. Showed early speed in a recent trial and from the good draw will get his chance. PARTY DAY (6) resumes, handles this surface and has trialled up nicely. Tough gate for the resuming GUBER (1) but he has demonstrated a real liking for this track and distance. FRANCIUM (4) led and showed nice improvement last start. Strolled home by almost 7 lengths winning a trial here in March. UNA PALOMA BLANCA (7) next best but needs to find a length or two.

KHALEESI’S DREAM (3) has been placed at all four starts and comes with the best form. Not ideally drawn but has enough early speed to offset. LIGHT WORK (4) was given every chance last start jumping from 1200m to 1600m but failed to finish off and might go better here back in trip. ALLA RUSTICA (1) wasn’t far away in a handy Warrnambool maiden last start but was given every chance, betting best guide. STARCRACKER (6) debut run was sound then was plain second-up, now a tongue tie goes on, might be an improver. OCCASIONAL GLIMPSE (5) resumes and although will take benefit from the run is worth including in exotics.

SIMPLY DEEP (6) ran well in a similar race last time and looks a key chance again, particularly back on his home track. BAYSIDE (2) is bursting to win another race but no easy task here from the outside gate. ROUNDLE PARK (5) was competitive in a stronger race last start and has drawn to advantage. ILOVETHISTOWN (6) had little peace in front last start and still proved difficult to run down. OBVIOUSLY GOOD (1) comes with strong recent form, having won three of his past four, but is yet to race on the synthetic. PURR SEFANEE (7) trialled well but strikes a tough first-up assignment.

KNIGHTS REIGN (3) has a tougher task here but there was some merit to the maiden win and looks capable of taking the next step. MERLIN BEACH (5) has the right gate and has been racing well in similar races. TAROONA (11) improved third-up getting out in trip and was the best of the on-pace runners. Tackles the 1650m for the first time. ALPINE JOY (8) comes through the same race and was held up at a key stage, might have tested the winner with a clearer passage. RIPPINGTON (7) showed a really liking for this surface winning here first up by 5 lengths.

CALIFORNIA FLYER (4) looks better suited back in trip after failing at the 1420m last time. RESPITE (6) had excuses at Launceston after covering ground in an on-pace race and much better suited on her home track. Won her maiden here impressively. THE REAL MAN (2) needs luck from the wide gate but won his maiden in good style, smart trial winner between runs.  RUSHONOVA (7) a beaten favourite last time but without the best of luck, can improve. WILD NIGHTS (11) had every chance and a touch disappointing at Hobart but doubt the 1400m suited.

FLUFFY’S GIRL (2) is one of several that will want to go forward and from barrier 3 looks the likely leader and will take catching.  ZUNI (4) exceeded market expectations first-up coming off a break of 361 days and will strip fitter.  PLATINUM REGGAE (5) another one that ran well first up and she’s proven at track and trip. VANITY STAR (10) return run last preparation was an eye catcher after switching stables and a chance if can reproduce that run but his overall record is poor. REDAIR (7) gets the gun run stalking the speed and will be tough to hold out.

THOROS OF MYR (1) led and faded resuming but will be better for the outing and has only been beaten once when second-up. LADY GALADRIEL (4) responded with blinkers going on last time and won well, looks a great chance to go back-to-back. BOLD INSTINCT (3) has been around the mark all preparation in similar races and with a handy claim shouldn’t be far away again. ADACHI (6) was slowly away when resuming at Launceston but ran on soundly and should improve second-up, although ideally better suited further.