Steve Christie’s Hobart Tips: Best Bets and Staking Plan for Wednesday

THEM’S THE BREAKS (5) hasn’t put in a bad run this preparation and made good late ground when placed here last start. DON TURBOAS (1) tackles a staying trip for the first time but gives the impression it will suit. Gave them too much start in a slowly run race last time. HONEST WARRIOR (2) comes into this chasing back-to-back wins against similar opposition and races like the longer trip will suit. REGAL HUNTER (3) drew barrier one last time on a day where it was advantageous to be drawn out. His beaten margin was a bit misleading.

SORELL EAGLES (4) was never in the hunt last time but should benefit from a 6-week freshen and dropping back in distance to 1100m. PRECIOUS ILLUSION (12) failed to make an impact in her first preparation but her recent trials have been encouraging and looks an improver this time around.  MIDWAY POINT (3) had some specking at Devonport with blinkers going for the first time but was slowly away before covering ground and can do better. TSUYOI KITSUNE (10) was good at Hobart resuming when leading at a genuine pace and only run down late. Will be better for that run but has an outside gate to contend with. ALFARINO (1) and LIN THIZZY (6) resume and both are lightly raced with plenty of scope for improvement and this isn’t a hard race.

SOUTHERN AURORAS (3) a promising mare coming into this off back-to-back wins and has the scope to go on. GARCON D’ESPOIR (1) is ready to win after three near misses at Devonport. He is going well and has come on this prep but is yet to taste success at Hobart. GEEGEE STRAWBERRY (5) returned to winning form in a deep Benchmark 68 race last start and carries the same weight. COASTAL STRIKE (6) typically honest effort last time in an easier race and usually thereabouts but struggles to win. KAKIA (2) and TASSIE POWER (4) the pick of the rest.

VINRAAM (6) gets his chance to break through on the back of two sound placings in maiden races that have produced multiple winners. IRISH BLOOM (9) wasn’t good enough in a harder race last time but far from disgraced while UP TO TORI (11) held on okay there after leading. SURF SOUL (3) last couple have been plain but might do better getting away from the synthetic. The beaten margins for both BLACK RAPTOR (8) and ROYAL SCENE (10) were unfair for last time and are good roughies for exotics.

SUSHI EXPRESS (2) improved into the placings second run back from a spell and ready to win stepping out to the 1600m. FIGHTING FLOYD (4) made good late ground when just out of the placings here last start. More depth to this race but enjoys nice weight relief and from the good draw can settle handier. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (5) won a similar race last time and there was plenty of merit in the win after covering a lot of ground. BLONDE STAR (1) was okay resuming and now gets out to a distance that suits second-up. ZEWINNA (3) has an outstanding strike-rate at track and trip, although yet to win in this grade. FLOSSING (6) met with strong support third up but never found the best ground and the run is best forgiven.

5 of the 8 runners come through the 2100m race that was won by  Native Clan 14-days ago. An extra 300m here the variable. NATIVE CLAN (4) proved too strong on that occasion but did have all the favours sitting outside the leader and does meet every rival on worse terms. MERLIN BEACH (3) also enjoyed a good run in transit box seating behind the leaders and though not beaten far had his chance. Had mapped DON’T GIVE UP (1) to lead there but he was slowly away. Is at his best when able to lead and dictate terms. HAPPY CLAN (2) got back to last and worked home solidly but simply had too much to do.

GEEGEES MISSILE (4) had excuses resuming then just missed narrowly last time. Ready now. BILLIE THE GREAT (6) has won two from five this campaign and placed the other 3. Was just a fraction too good for Geegees Missile last start and once again should be figuring prominently. Expected more from ALPINE THUNDER (3) in that race but was quickly beaten at the top of the straight. Needs to do better but is right in this on best form. FURNEAUX (1) has had a consistent prep. Down in grade but rises sharply in weight. CAPTAIN CAM (2) had won 2 of last 3 including a win here in same grade. SKY LAND (5) was poor last start but in the mix on previous form.

FUEL ON THE FIRE (1) dug deep to just prevail first up then went within a whisker of going back-to-back at his next outing. The one that beat him has won 3 on the bounce so the form reads well.   BELLA CHINKARA (9) got a long way back last time and was never going to win but she finished off well and the extra trip looks suitable. A tricky gate for FIERCE ’N FABULOUS (3) who showed nice improvement second-up. Races well here and did win third up at this track and trip last preparation. NANDI CLAN (6) wasn’t good enough in a harder race last time but was far from disgraced. It was only a modest maiden that COLONEL BOGEY (2) won at Devonport. The runner-up has since won but he does need to find a length or two.

MISS LYRA (5) has drawn out but hoping by this stage of the day the track has evened up a bit. She has trialled well with the addition of blinkers and they go for race-day. SOUTH GEORGIA (9) resumes and has performed well fresh in the past including 2/2 first up placings at this track. GEEGEES MERCEDES (4) has a fitness edge on the top 2 and has been competitive all preparation in similar company. PARTY DAY (6) did all of her racing at Devonport last prep which included a maiden win. Resumes from an 11-week spell and is capable fresh. GEEGEESCHASER (8) looks the leader and is usually around the money in similar races but struggling to find another win. CELESTIAL GLOW (10) and LADY FERN (14) next best.

The fitness of COAL RIVER (1) gave out at Devonport when resuming over 1600m.He would’ve taken considerable improvement off the return run and maps for a good trail. Barrier one at this stage of the day could potentially be a query so will have to monitor the pattern. THE SPIRIT OF ZERO (3) improved into the placings at his second run back from a spell and looks suited to 1600m. STARDARMUS (5) was far too good from the front at Devonport. A touch harder here but goes well at this track and has claims again.  HENLEY EXTREME (6) returned to winning form with a win in benchmark 60 grade 2 weeks ago and is now 2/2 at track and distance. THISISMYTURF (8) has repeatedly found one or two better of late and deserves a change of luck.