Steve Christie’s preview and staking plan for Sunday’s Hobart meeting

ZEWINNA (2) hasn’t won for 14 months but gets a good chance to return to the winner’s list here. She maps for an economical run and can turn the tables on HURRICANE KETUT (1) after a narrow defeat to him last start. JUST A NEEDS (3) has been finding the line well and should take improvement from two runs back from a spell. RICH CLAN (5) is likely to roll forward from the outside draw and looks the probable leader. He gets in well after the claim. The last-start effort was a complete forgive. LONTANO (4) and HIGH TAIL EAGLE (6) have claims for the first four.

COLONEL BOGEY (1) is back from a break. A beaten favourite in four of his six career starts, but to be fair, has been unlucky on a couple of occasions and also has run into some handy opposition along the way. GEEGEES ACE (3) showed promise during his first preparation and has trialled well ahead of his return. TIMELY NEEDS (6) caught the eye first up and will be suited by the rise in distance. SORELL EAGLES (5) and MISS STRAT (10) finished just out of the placings on debut and will be better for the experience. The debutants KIMBA (4) and ROXY DANCER (11) come with winning trial form.

FLORENCE GLASS (2) comes into this in career best form chasing a hat-trick of wins but does meet HAPPY CLAN (1) 3kg worse off for a 1.25-length defeat last time. That was also HAPPY CLAN’S first time at a staying trip this preparation so there should be further improvement to come. GODDESS OF ROCK (4) is capable on her day but generally needs a soft track to produce her best. TIDEFORD (7) wasn’t suited dropping back in distance last start but is rock-hard fit, racing consistently and has genuine claims. THE TAZWEGIAN (6) brings winning form after finishing off strongly to score over a similar trip two weeks ago, although this is a noticeable rise in grade. ELEGANTLY WRITTEN (3) and NATIVE CLAN (5) are both untested at the distance.

QUAFFTIDE (3) drops back in distance and rises 3kg but is racing in terrific form with three wins from her last five. She looks hard to beat again. BERSERKER (2) shapes as a serious danger, sticking on well here a fortnight ago returning off a seven-week break and maps to get every chance from barrier one. OBVIOUSLY GOOD (1) has regularly been around the mark this preparation and continues to hold his form. GEEGEE STRAWBERRY (5) didn’t see out the 1600m last time, so the drop back to 1430m is a plus. PURR SEFANEE (9) overdid it in front at Devonport before fading badly and could be an improver second up. MATEUS (7) has place claims.

KNIGHTS REIGN (2) hasn’t drawn ideally ,11 of 11, but there is plenty of depth around his last couple of runs and if he can get some luck in the early stages will go close. In contrast, his stablemate MERLIN BEACH (3) couldn’t have drawn any better and was very good here four weeks ago in a strong class 1. SOUTH GEORGIA (10) didn’t have a lot of luck behind Light Force and might have tested the winner with a better run in transit. NORTHERN CHILD (4) was well rated in front winning his maiden last time. Harder here, but he has always shown a bit of promise. COLD AZA BEER (7) is hard to line up. He has just the one placing from seven mainland starts and blinkers come off for this. CALLED THROUGH (6) and ICE CRYSTAL (8) wider exotic hopes.

DAYTONA DIVA (2) established herself as one of our better 3yo’s last preparation. She’s a versatile filly, winning from 1100m to 2000m. Good fresh record and an outstanding strike rate at Hobart. ZAMBEZI BLONDE (3) the logical danger back from a 10-week break. The second to Swift Force two runs back is ‘top-shelf’ form. SH’BOURNE ANGEL (6) an interesting runner. Was very green winning on debut (beating Zambezi Blonde) before pulling up with a slow recovery last time. She might measure up. TAROONA (4) has strung together a couple of wins at Devonport in easier races. TEMPT THE GODS (1) is capable of better. Was well beaten at latest but raced too keenly in blinkers, they now come off. THE REAL MAN (5) next best.

FLYING CONCELLO (2) has hardly put a foot wrong this preparation winning 3 of her 4 starts, including a dominant 3.25 length at her latest. Likely starts a very warm favourite. FURNEAUX (1) clear second pick. Excels at track and trip and a proven fresh performer, strong each-way claims. FLYING BILLIE (4) will spear across to lead and give them something to catch. ZUNI (7) won a benchmark 64 race last time. Harder task here but has drawn perfectly again. SANDUAL (6) and THISISMYTURF (10) next best.

CRYSTAL MOONBEAM (6) has performed well at all 3 runs this prep including a win at this track and trip prior to the last, when a lack of tempo worked against her. BILLIE THE GREAT (7) resumes and won well here first up last preparation in a race that has produced a stack of winning form. LADY FERN (8) is close to another victory after finishing runner-up at her past two. HALEN (1) resumes with blinkers going on again. Goes better fresh than his record would suggest. First up winner last preparation. BAYSIDE (4) was a complete forgive run at Devonport and can improve sharply. GEEGEES DOWNPOUR (5) sat too close last time when a beaten favourite and although not far away , failed to finish off in his customary manner. TRIBAL COUNCIL (3) has a case 4 weeks fresh although is awkwardly drawn.