Steve Christie’s Hobart Tips: Selections and staking strategy for Sunday racing

GOLD TIANNA (3) has been ultra-consistent this preparation, placed at all three starts and without a lot of luck at his past couple. A senior rider takes over and is the one to beat. WOUNDED EAGLE (8) hit the line strongly on debut and while he struggled to quicken off a slow tempo last time, he stayed on solidly. DA SILVER FLASH (10) resumes for a new stable and trialled like an improver this time around. TIMELY NEEDS (7) found the line nicely first up then had excuses last start when caught wide throughout. Needs luck from the gate.  NICALBI (5), SORELL EAGLES (6) and LITTLEMISSALLSORTS (12) can be entertained for exotics.

A difficult race to be confident, with numerous first starters engaged, and many of the experienced runners are returning from a spell. GEEGEES MERCEDES (10) fits into the latter category. She has finished in the placings at four of her nine starts and has had her share of bad luck along the way. Her recent trial win at this track was impressive and she looks capable of making a winning return. THERMAL MISS (13) resumes after three unplaced runs in her debut preparation, but her performances were better than they appear on paper. She won her latest trial by a clear margin. BALLERINI (7) is speedy and brings winning trial form but has drawn the extreme outside. THE BIG FELLA (5) is another newcomer from the same stable and has also shown good ability at the trials. GOLD ARMOUR (2) and VABUIAGI (14) also have a case.

HAPPY CLAN (1) was beaten less than a length by GODDESS OF ROCK (3) over this course two weeks ago in a slowly run affair. Happy Clan conceded the winner a couple of lengths start at the 600m which proved to be telling. They meet on same terms and he gets his chance turn the tables. FLORENCE GLASS (2) finished just outside the placings in that same race and again ran well following back-to-back victories. NATIVE CLAN (5) tackled a staying trip for the first time last start and acquitted herself well. With the benefit of extra fitness she has a case. HIGH TAIL EAGLE (7) is proven at the track and distance and has claims. ALWAYS A WINNER (4) ran into the placings at Devonport last Sunday but is struggling to find another win. TIDEFORD (6) goes in first-4’s.

FLYING BILLIE (8) hasn’t won for almost 12 months but he gets his chance here to get another win on the board. He looks very well placed after the claim and will be hard to run down. ZEWINNA (4) made amends last time for an unlucky run the previous start with the narrowest of wins over HURRICANE KETUT (7). Both are in good form and handle genuine soft ground. SH’BOURNE MIDNIGHT (1) resumes from a spell and capable fresh but will need to be at the top of his game with his main rivals having a clear edge in fitness. NICCO THE GREEK (2) next best.

FLYING CONCELLO (1) has hardly put a foot wrong this preparation winning 4 of her 5 starts. The one to beat again but does carry an extra 2.5kg and there’s a bit more depth here. ZUNI (11) chased home Flying Concello last start and looks a genuine chance of turning the tables with a pull in the weights. The obvious query with RESTRICTED ACCESS (4) is the 60kg but he won well first up last preparation and will give them something to catch. ADACHI (5) has drawn the outside gate in the field of 14 but with even luck can figure in the finish. FURNEAUX (2) was rock-solid first up and strips fitter. MATERIAL MADAM (9) and ANTHEIA (10) next best, then BILLIE THE GREAT (13).

LAWRENNY BOYS (3) gave a big sight at odds last time behind the smart filly Daytona Diva and that’s the best form for this but it’s no easy task drawn the extreme outside. TURBO CHOOK (1) was good first up at Devonport after being slowly away. This is his first time away from the synthetic. Lightly raced and has more scope than the majority. CELESTIAL GLOW (11) resumes with two trials under her belt, has drawn to get the right run and handles genuine soft going. LADY FERN (12) is back in her right grade. She’s a chance. SH’ BOURNE ANGEL (5) performed well below her best when resuming but did pull up with a slow recovery and looks a likely improver. WILD NIGHTS (13) next best.

JUST A NEEDS (1) is building fitness and form and will be hard to beat fourth run back. He hasn’t competed at this level for a long time. The ultra consistent QUAFFTIDE (2) is the obvious threat chasing her third straight win at this track. AZONTO (3) hasn’t won for almost 18 months but last couple of runs have been encouraging. Not much room in the straight for BERSERKER (4) last time. He’s been around the money all prep and stiff not to win another race or two. PURR SEFANEE (11) needs to lift but is getting fitter and gets out to her right trip. STARDARMUS (5) has drawn out but next best.

A tough race to round off the day. MISS KEEDS (2) is impossible to back with any confidence but if the right one turns up she’s a good chance. FLUFFY’S GIRL (4) copped a lot of pressure at Devonport and was found wanting in the straight. The 1000m suits her racing pattern but the last 100m could be the worry. Yet another stable change for NO ACCESS (6). Trialled okay at Hobart and could show up without surprising.  ZULU FIELDS (10) recent form is sound including a narrow win last start. Barrier one could be a query though at this stage of the day. TASSIE POWER (3) was game in defeat resuming but dropping back in trip to the 1000m has to be a query. VOLKANOVSKI (7) next best while RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (1) did manage to win first up last prep for this stable but that was over 1430m. Will likely find these too sharp but a wider hope for exotics.