Sunday thoroughbred racing is in Hobart for a good winter card, including the $45,000 Alexandra Plate for 2yos.
The track is likely to be in the soft range, with the rail moving out to +9m from +3m a fortnight ago.
THEM’S THE BREAKS (6) returns from an 81-day break and is a better mare than her record suggests. She will concede a start to the majority of her rivals but is the one to beat. LYCO RECO (5) was brave in defeat at Devonport after working early and maps for a much softer run from the draw. NORTHERN CHILD (2) tackles 2100m for the first time and has more upside than most. LAST TREMBLE (4) had little hope from the back in a slowly run race on the synthetic last Sunday and the rise in trip might suit. WHOLESOME (8) has placed in two of three starts at this track and gets the blinkers back on.
SH’BOURNE RISING (10) should take plenty of improvement from her first campaign and maps for the right run. THE BIG FELLA (5) failed to fire when well fancied on debut but has been back to the trials since and is worth another chance. GEEGEES AVALANCHE (1) the pick of the first starters brings winning trial form but has drawn the outside. UPHEAVAL (6) another one resuming and has been around the mark at all three runs but has drawn a touch awkward. SAVAGE RIVER (3) showed ability in his first preparation and has a tongue tie added returning from a break.
BRUNY BOY (2) more than held his own against proven older horses at his latest trial and looks capable of making a winning debut. GOLD ARMOUR (4) ran a big race on debut and then had tempo against second up and will appreciate getting out in trip. VINRAAM (9) hit the line alongside Gold Armour at Hobart and also has a case. GOLD TIANNA (5) has an awkward gate to overcome but excels at track and distance and unlucky not to have won one by now. DON TURBOAS (3) continues to rack up the placings and bursting to win a race but had every possible chance again last start. VABUIAGI (11) next best in what is a very competitive race.
THE LITTLE BAY (4) has improved sharply since the application of blinkers two starts ago. Awkwardly drawn but the one to beat on the back of past couple of efforts. SH’BOURNE POWER (2) resumes after a dominant 4.25-length victory before the break and looks the main danger. FUEL ON THE FIRE (1) overcame a wide gate to win first up and with the benefit of extra fitness will be hard to beat again over this trip. ALPINE RUBY (5) and NANDI CLAN (6) are both proven at the track but in easier races. NATALDI (7) won a moderate maiden at Devonport but is lightly raced with upside.
MOMENTSLIKETHESE (10) is back from a break and she’s an easy horse to like coming off her first preparation. Her record reads one win from five starts but had the misfortune of running into the state’s best juvenile at her other four outings. The wide gate is the only negative. VALLEY STAR (4) and BUZZOFFSKI (8) have both been in excellent form on the synthetic. Hard to line that form up here but they could not have done any more. ZODIAC RISING (5) and ALL INTRIQUE (7) have first 4 claims. ONYX CHARM (3) trialled soundly behind Momentslikethese and looks the pick of the debutants. ZUMUMBA (6), another first starter, next best.
STARDARMUS (3) hasn’t won for 532 days but is going well and a repeat of last time goes close. SIR JAG (2) has been mixing his distances of late but continues to race well winning 2 of the last 3 and looked unlucky the other occasion. EAGLEFURTHER (4) got back when resuming in a harder race and was never in contention and can improve. Won with authority at only start this track. MATEUS (10) finds it hard to win but has been thereabouts all preparation in similar races. DESIGNER DREAMER (1) did enough first up and drops in grade but will need plenty of luck from the outside gate. COASTAL STRIKE (6) next best.
NO ACCESS (15) has claims if makes the final cut. Both runs back have been good and this easier than latest. ARAYA SUNSHINE (9) was disappointing last start but has claims on the previous effort. ALPINE FURY (1) wasn’t far away resuming and awkwardly drawn but is unbeaten second up, 2 from 2. HUBUBBAJAHN (12) just missed first up after covering ground and would have taken plenty of improvement but yet to win second-up the knock. TRIBAL COUNCIL (3) recent form is good enough but up in weight and has to cope with the 59kg. ZULU FIELDS (13) is fit and has been ultra consistent of late in similar company. SNOWDONIA (8) brings winning trial form but just the one placing from three first-up runs. EASTCOAST MISS (4) is a capable mare on her day and could show up fresh.
PERSPIRATION (1) had excuses when unplaced at Caulfield, racing too keenly and pulling up with a slow recovery. Impressive back-to-back wins on home turf prior to a break. ALVARINHO (4) performs well fresh. The second-placing behind Sanniya at Group 3 level two runs back reads well. TSUNAMI SAM (2) toughed it out well behind the long odds-on favourite at Devonport. Best results have been at this track and distance. SUSHI EXPRESS (5) ran a cracking race in the Conquering WFA first up last prep at 1400m. Include in exotics. THESPIAN WATERS (6) and IN THE OCEAN (7) both ran well here a fortnight ago but this is a deeper race.
THE LONGEST YARD (4) could be the sharp improver here third run in stepping out to a more suitable trip and with a 3kg claim. VERBANO (10) wasn’t far away last time and now ready to win fourth up. FIGHTING FLOYD (2) found the right part of the track last time and does meet a few of them on worse terms. Can’t be ruled out but faces a tougher task. FLOSSING (6) resumes with a handy fresh record and has trialled up nicely , would not shock. NICCO THE GREEK (1) is consistent in similar races and should be thereabouts again. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (8) returned in good fashion, proving too good first up over 1200m and should only get better out in trip. THISISMYTURF (11) lightweight hope.
