Steve Christie’s Devenport Set: Staking plan and best bets for Wednesday

BAILED (2) is a new comer to Tasmania and bred to get over ground. The 1880m looks perfect for him at his third career start. WHITE STAR SUZIE (8) comes off a solid placing 17-days ago and the extra trip looks favourable. There was nice improvement shown by GYM PRINCESS (6) at her second run this prep getting out in trip and will be fitter again. ALL INTRIQUE (5) on the 7-day back-up from Hobart strikes a slightly easier race and arguably should have finished a bit closer behind Honest Warrior. HIGHLAND DASH (7) another mainlander trying his luck in the apple isle and although he ran into the minor money at Bairnsdale, it was a very moderate race. COME TO LIGHT (3) is lightly raced. Was okay on debut then couldn’t get in at his next start and was forced to cover ground. Can be entertained for first-4’s along with ALLA RUSTICA (1).

ALKIRA (10) has won her last 2 trials in good fashion. The clear pick of the debutants. Has early speed and will take running down.  BRUTAL EMPIRE (7) is racing well and ready to win. The wide gate the obvious query but should get tempo suit and gets last crack. EQUIVASTER (4) hasn’t been far away at all 3 runs this prep and gets multiplel gear changes dropping in trip. RUM’UN (11) was sound on debut over 1009m then was awful second -up stepping out to the 1150m. Could be an improver. DEER POWER (8) next best.

JUST PLAIN NUTS (1) was a good effort here resuming off a wide run then failed to fire at Hobart on genuine soft ground and can bounce back. PARTY DAY (6) is back from a break and has trialled well. Keen on his chances but will needs some  luck from an awkward draw. HOULIHAN (3) a beaten favourite at her last 3 runs and is in the mix but would not be diving into a short-odds. SUPER SNIPPY (7) has a poor strike-rate but his only win was over the 1000m and from barrier one gets every possible chance resuming. GEEGEESCHASER (8) a solid effort first up and strips fitter but has a difficult gate versus last time. THERMAL MISS (5) got the maiden out of the way last start and has been kept fresh for this. Has also had a stable change and has upside but obviously a bit tougher here.

There’s a bit of form in this race and 4 or 5 of them could win without surprising. TUSKEGEE (1) ran well first-up with the big weight and comes here fitter and will be hard to hold out from the good gate. His stablemate SIMPLY DEEP (3) is at the top of his game chasing 3 straight synthetic wins. STARDARMUS (6) took luck out of the equation last start going straight to the front and gave nothing else a chance with a dominant 4 length win.  More depth here but ran good time and can measure up. THE SPIRIT OF ZERO (4) was no match at all for Stardamus but was doing best work late and will be further improved third run in. KIREINA MARUBRAH (7) won at big odds here 3 starts back when leading all the way when beating Tuskegee so logically has a case if able to repeat.

CITY WOK (1) won his maiden in good style here 17-days ago and will be winning more races. CAVARETTA (7) has the 1 win from 12 starts and used to be trained by Chris Waller at his Gold Coast base.  First up here off a 116-day break with no public trials. Expecting her to be very competitive unless the market tells us otherwise. COLONEL BOGEY (2) 45-days fresh since winning his maiden. The runner up has won since. NUNKERI (8) placed at track and trip last start in same grade and draws to get every possible. KNIGHTS REIGN (5) had the box seat and was a beaten favourite last time. Is capable but needs to improve. The Thousand Guineas winner LITTLE EL (4) is back from a spell. Will be running on but check for market confidence.

AZONTO (1) the one to beat and the only runner to bring winning form. Failed at her only try this track and distance but she pulled up with issues on that occasion and  have to ignore that run. Was back to her best last start and can go on with it.  Outside of her, they look pretty even. Perhaps RESPITE (3) next best off a 31-day freshen. Had little luck last start when raced wide throughout. Draws perfectly here and will get every chance. REGAL HUNTER (2) is still a class 1 horse and one of many on the 7-day back up from Hobart. Has been sound all prep without winning, including 2 narrow defeats at this track. COASTAL STRIKE (4) and PURR SEFANEE (8) map to settle 1 / 2 and can give a sight if allowed to get the race on their terms. ALISENT (6) and WHO CAN IT BE NOW (9) good roughies for exotics.

GARCON D’ESPOIR (9) finished just out of the placings in this race last year beaten 2.6 lengths but is arguably an improved product this time around with 3 narrow defeats this prep. The 9yo SUSHI EXPRESS (2) is chasing back-to-back wins in this race. Carried 54kg last year when second -up; now carries 57kg and is third -up. Ready to peak.  THE LONGEST YARD (8) just died on his run last time behind the in-form Simply Deep. Ready to produce his best and enjoys significant weight relief. WHIPPIN PICCADILLY (5) is hunting her third straight win but faces her toughest test. BLONDE STAR (1) is the class runner in the field but has to lump 59kg. SHY GUY (7) looks a likely improver returning to home track and out to a more suitable trip.

Competitive race. The top 5 all have a case. The majority are track specialists including HARTMAN (4) with 4 wins from 6 starts at Devonport. Drops sharply in trip from the1650m but fresh for this and strolled home by 4.25 lengths at only start at the 1150m. THOROS OF MYR (1) won a similar race here two runs ago then well beaten last start in a harder race after doing too much work early.  Comes off a 59-day let-up as does the stablemate CHEROKEE DANCER (2) who boasts an outstanding fresh record. CAPTAIN CAM (3) has won 2 of the last 3 and a big effort to score at Hobart with the 61kg. THE REAL MAN (5) is a horse on the rise coming off back-to-back synthetic wins. WILD NIGHTS (8) a wider hope for first-4’s.