Sunday thoroughbred racing is in Hobart for an eight-race card featuring the $45,000 Kevin Sharkie Sires Produce for two-year-olds.
The rail is back in true after being at +9m for the meeting a fortnight ago. There is fine weather forecast which should see the surface in the 4-5 range.
First starter AUTHORISED ACCESS (1) has trialled well and looks capable of winning on debut. BLACK RAPTOR (9) showed enough in her first campaign placing twice in similar company and gets every chance from barrier one. UNFILTERED (6) will need favours drawn the extreme outside but showed some talent first preparation. Another newcomer JOHN OF JANE (4) brings mixed trial results, the latest clearly the best, leading and dominating x 5 lengths. Four runners – GEEGEES AVALANCHE (3), MIDWAY POINT (5), UPHEAVAL (7) and WINDARA ROCK IT (8) – come through the Savage River race here two weeks ago. It was a very bunched finish that race and the form looks questionable.
Two key hopes. GOLD ARMOUR (4) ran a big race on debut and then had tempo against second up and will appreciate getting out in trip. GOLD TIANNA (5) went back to the tail last time in a slowly run race and ran on soundly. BRUNY BOY (1) ran up to his good trial form with a solid placing here on debut in a good maiden but faces a challenge drawn the extreme outside. NICALBI (8) had no luck here two runs back and arguably should have won but more depth to this race. HONEST WARRIOR (6), UP TO TORI (11) and WHITE STAR SUZIE (13) wider hopes for first-4’s.
DON TURBOAS (2) was strong through the line winning his maiden and the extra trip a clear plus. THE LITTLE BAY (6) ran below best last time but has claims on previous efforts. MERLIN BEACH (3) just the one win from fourteen starts but is regularly around the mark. THEM’S THE BREAKS (10) a beaten odds-on favourite last time but didn’t get tempo to suit and is capable of better. LAST TREMBLE (8) finds it hard to win but comes off a sound placing in a similar race.
VERHOEVEN (6) missed narrowly last time in a harder race and the extra 100m suits. Just the one win from thirteen starts but has been unlucky on a few occasions. SOUTHERN AURORAS (9) won her maiden decisively at track and trip in December last year. Has been consistent since and the last run before a break behind Cripps is excellent form. CELESTIAL GLOW (15) has returned in good order and gets a soft run. THE PIRATE QUEEN (14) has an awkward gate returning from a spell but has a case. SNOWDONIA (8) started favourite but was never a factor first up and capable of better. GEEGEES MERCEDES (11) comes into this off a sound placing in a similar race and amongst the wider hopes.
GEEGEES MISSILE (4) resumes and proved a smart filly last time in winning plenty of races including 4 on the bounce at the start of the preparation. Drawn to get every chance and the hardest to beat but there’s some depth to the race. FURNEAUX (1) ran a career best last time in open company. Rises sharply in weight but gets in well after the 4kg claim. EASTCOAST MISS (7) was rock solid resuming and usually improves second up. SKY LAND (6) steps up in grade but brings winning form while ALPINE THUNDER (3) is a noted front-runner with an excellent fresh record. CAPTAIN CAM (2) a wider hope on the strength of his win two starts ago.
BUZZOFSKI (5) was a dominant all-the-way winner of the Alexandra Plate a fortnight ago and meets a similar line-up here. The rise in distance is a query for all of them. Drawn well again, she’s the horse to beat. Stablemate VALLEY STAR (1) the obvious danger. The gelding was no match for Buzzofski last start but had her measure at Devonport the run before and the extra trip potentially works in his favour. MOMENTSLIKETHESE (6 ) next best. Does need to find a few lengths to trouble the top pair, but strips fitter second-up and the extra ground could help. ALL INTRIGUE (7) maps for the right run from the inside draw and a solid first-four chance while ONYX CHARM (3) and LUCKY LIPSTICK (8) can also work into the minor money.
The ultra-consistent SH’BOURNE MIDNIGHT (6) is easy to like second-up with 54kg on his back. He hit the line well resuming carrying 60kg in a strong benchmark race. ZEWINNA (9) is well placed after the claim and has drawn to advantage. THE LONGEST YARD (13) goes close on best form and should be ready to produce third run back. ALVARINHO (3) is much better than what she showed first up and worth another chance. Hobart Cup winner BLONDE STAR (1) resumes. The 59kg is clearly the challenge but she is too good a mare to be ruled out. WINEGLASS BAY (2) is unbeaten at track and distance, two from two. THESPIAN WATERS (5) and VERBANO (15) wider hopes.
THISISMYTURF (9) hasn’t won for almost 2 years but he couldn’t be going any better. Needs things to fall his way from the wide gate in the capacity field but with an ounce of luck will go close. SIR JAG (6) is in a rich vein of form. At latest conceded a start and was easily the best of the closers on a day when it was hard to win from the back. The winner of that race was EAGLEFURTHER (5) who is now 2 from 2 at track and trip. RESERVOIR DOG (11) wasn’t far away resuming and draws well again and is proven second up. JOHNNIE PINCH (2) has had a freshen and capable of bouncing back on his home track after a stint in Victoria. NATIVE CLAN (10) also has a case. Had every possible at Devonport but it’s been a good form race with 2nd and 3rd both subsequent winners.
