Steve Christie’s Devonport Set: Preview and staking strategy for Wednesday’s meeting

CHEF’S KISS (1) should’ve finished a bit closer in what was a moderate maiden at Hobart. The extra trip looks suitable and would expect him to settle closer here with blinkers going back on. This is no harder. GEE GEES BROTHER (3) handles this surface and was good resuming. The 2 that finished ahead of him will be winning more races. UNFILTERED (7) worked home soundly behind a smart winner 7-days ago and can be competitive. The debutant JOCK ROCK (8) is trained here and both trials have been sound. GUBER (4) and NICALBI (5) are worth thought for exotics.

EQUIVASTER (4) should have finished closer last start in a good maiden after suffering a bad check at a key stage and has drawn well again. AWESOME ORPHAN (3) has had a 6-week freshen and kicks off for a new stable and has trialled quite well. HARRATA (1) worked to the line well resuming for a closing fourth but could need one more and possibly further. DEER POWER (8) and FLYING FURTHER (10) make their debuts on the back of some strong trial efforts and are in the mix.

Track specialist HARTMAN (4) has racked up 4 wins from 6 starts at Devonport. Drops sharply in trip from the1650m but is fresh for this and strolled home by 4.25 lengths at only start at the 1150m. GEEGEES MISSILE (6) handles this surface and is ready to win again after consecutive runner-up efforts at Hobart. CHEROKEE DANCER (2) boasts an outstanding first up record and draws for the right run stalking the leaders. THOROS OF MYR (1) resumes and won a similar race here two runs ago then well beaten last start in a harder race after doing too much work early.

PARTY DAY (4) is back from a break and has trialled well in the lead-up. Has drawn better than his main rivals and looks the hardest to beat. Expecting better from JUST PLAIN NUTS (1) who failed to fire at Hobart on genuine soft ground but was good off a wide run here the start prior. HOULIHAN (2) in the mix but a beaten favourite at her last 3 runs and drawn awkwardly again. SUPER SNIPPY (6) wouldn’t shock first-up but can be unreliable at the start. GEEGEES MERCEDES (5) is on the 7-day back-up and needs to do better but has drawn to advantage. GEEGEESCHASER (7) has finished in the placings at his last 5 starts here but struggles to win and the outside gate is no spoil.

STARDARMUS (3) brings the best recent form proving far too good here 2 runs back then gave a good account in a harder race at Hobart behind a smart winner. WOLF JUNIOR (4) looks the main danger, returning from a spell after winning well first-up last preparation. QUICKEN UP (1) steps up to 1350m for the first time following a couple of sound trial wins. ALPINE BLAST (6) is capable on his day but mixes his form. KIREINA MARUBRAH (5) won at this track and distance three starts ago carrying 54.5kg but faces a tougher task with 58kg this time.

Toughest race of the day and wouldn’t be ruling out any runner. TUSKEGEE (6) was rock-solid resuming and now jumps sharply in class second-up but enjoys significant weight relief. SIMPLY DEEP (7) comes into this off back-to-back wins and only slightly harder here and draws well again. NICCO THE GREEK (2) handles this surface and wasn’t beaten far last time out at Hobart in a strong race. SHY GUY (3) looks a likely improver returning to home track. CAPTAIN CAM (1) has won 2 of the last 3 and it was a big effort to score at Hobart with the 61kg. STONE COLD STUNNER (4) can improve sharply second-up. THE LONGEST YARD (5) is ready to win but dropping back to the 1350m the concern.

CITY WOK (1) won his maiden in good style here 17-days ago and the runner-up Brutal Empire strolled home at his next start. Has drawn ideally and takes a power of beating. COLONEL BOGEY (2) arrives 59-days fresh since winning his maiden and there’s been winning form out of the race. LITTLE EL (3) is back from a spell and has trialled well for her return. NUNKERI (5) was placed at this track and trip last start in similar company and draws to get every chance. OPENSEA (6) is bound to improve off the first up run and steps out over more ground with blinkers going back on. BELLA CHINKARA (7) has the talent and can win but will be conceding her main rivals a start.

OZONICA (2) showed good ability in his first preparation including back-to-back wins at the start of the campaign. Trials have been good and he looks set to run well resuming. THE REAL MAN (1) is fit and firing and is looking to complete a hat-trick of wins. Has gone from strength to strength this prep and rates highly again. WILD NIGHTS (5) drew the wrong side of the track at Hobart and did a god job under the circumstances to run into the placings. GEE GEES ME BOY (4) has trialled well ahead of his return but remains a query at this venue. VOLKANOVSKI (8) has drawn out and always tries hard but doesn’t win out of turn. GIE IT LALDY (9) goes in exotics.

AZONTO (1) brings winning form and looks the one to beat despite the 59kg. Failed at her only try this track and distance but she pulled up with issues on that occasion and have to ignore that run. She was back to her best last start.  Perhaps RESPITE (3) next best off a 45-day freshen. Had little luck last start when raced wide throughout. AL MAXIMUS (4) concedes a start from the outside gate but has blinkers back on and will be running on hard. COASTAL STRIKE (2) a last start winner and PURR SEFANEE (6) map to settle 1 / 2 and can give a sight if allowed to get the race on their terms. WHO CAN IT BE NOW (8) the best of the rest for exotics.