Steve Christie’s Hobart Set: Overview, tips and staking strategy for midweek racing

HAPPY CLAN (2) is racing consistently against similar opposition and is long overdue for another win. Had every hope last time but does save his best for here. DON’T GIVE UP (1) was outsprinted by an in-form winner at Devonport but kept finding the line strongly. Has won twice at track in this distance range when able to dictate terms. Harder here for MERLIN BEACH (3) but draws for right run and brings winning form. TIDEFORD (5) gets visors added following 2 sub-par runs. Can be competitive on best. AL MAXIMUS (4) was okay with tempo against at Devonport and is proven here. NATIVE CLAN (6) next best

AUTHORISED ACCESS (1) had clear excuses on debut after jumping awkwardly and losing ground. Wouldn’t have tested the impressive winner but there was plenty of merit in the defeat. CHEF’S KISS (2) no placings from 4 starts but finished close up at latest at Moruya in a blanket finish. No public trials for this new arrival but expecting a forward showing. GOLD ARMOUR (5) has run well at every start and close to breaking through. GEEGEES AVALANCHE (4) a beaten favourite on debut without a lot of luck and then plain last time but has drawn better. NO QUITA (6) an improved run at her second career run but it’s a questionable form race. A tough gate for SH’BOURNE RISING (12) but the return run was good after getting well back. ROLAND VIEW (10) ran better than the market expected first-up off a long break – finishing just out of the placings – and can only improve. BLACK RAPTOR (9) a poor return effort but might be the value runner with blinkers on for first time. Check betting with TSUYOI KITSUNE (14) who has trialled like an improver.

SKY LAND (6) was the best of the on pacers behind Captain Cam. Gets a handy 4kg claim here and looks one of the key chances with the light weight. FIGHTING FLOYD (1) a strong winner second up with the pattern in his favour then wasn’t suited sitting outside the speed last time but was still sound. FLYING BILLIE (2) led all the way here two runs ago with only 52kg and then had excuses last time. JUST A NEEDS (3) rises sharply in weight but is going well and this race less depth. VERBANO (7) has been mixing her form but genuine claims on best.

ROYAL DETECTIVE (7) was rock-solid 1^st up without a lot of room in the straight and should’ve finished a bit closer. Extra trip suits. SH’BOURNE POWER (1) won narrowly 1st up but the top 2 put a good margin on the rest of the field and the form should stack up. MEGALITA (2) in the mix if he can bring his synthetic form to Hobart. Was only fair here when resuming but may have needed the run. COASTAL STRIKE (5) wasn’t far away in a similar race last time and has a case but struggles to win. VERHOEVEN (3) a class 1 horse who remains a query at the trip but will be running on.

IN THE OCEAN (3) strolled home in a similar race second up and takes plenty of beating on the strength of that performance. DAYTONA DIVA (4) had clear excuses last start and can bounce back. 2 from 2 at track and distance. ALVARINHO (2) never got warm resuming and though a much better run here second up needs to find a few lengths. FURNEAUX (5) next best from TSUNAMI SAM (1) then NICCO THE GREEK (6).

ALPINE THUNDER (1) was okay resuming and suited dropping back to the 1000m. Will be tough to run down. GEEGEES MISSILE (2) was never likely 1^st up but wasn’t in the best part of the track and may have needed the run. BILLIE THE GREAT (5) continues to race well but notably all 3 career wins have been at 1200m. VOLKANOVSKI (7) finds it hard to win but brings sound synthetic form. MISS KEEDS (3) and EASTCOAST MISS (4) both have blinkers going back on but need to improve.

FUEL ON THE FIRE (3) went within a whisker of back-to-back wins last start and has drawn ideally again. GOLD TIANNA (4) broke through for a well-deserved win after some luckless efforts and gets in well after the claim. No surprise to see improvement from HONEST WARRIOR (9) at second run back from a spell and the 1600m should suit him even better. Wide gate the worry though. DON TURBOAS (1) is ultra-consistent and will take a power of beating but an awkward barrier the challenge. FRENCH SOUL (2) showed nice improvement getting out in trip second up. Pulled up with a slow recovery at only start at this track. THEM’S THE BREAKS (11) continues to race well but has been stuck on the one win for over 2 years and causes her own problems by getting too far back. ALL INTRIQUE (14) comes through some high rating 2yo old races and might measure up.

HENLEY EXTREME (7) looms as a big threat third run back in what is a very competitive race. Should be ready now and just needs even luck from the awkward gate. SIR JAG (3) and THISISMYTURF (5) both continue to race well against similar opposition. FLOSSING (1) has been quite plain this prep but third run in gets blinkers back on and if they’re able to run on has a case. JOHNNIE PINCH (2) will be better for the last outing when 56 days between runs and back in this grade looks hard to beat. REGAL HUNTER (4) comes off a couple of sound placings on the synthetic but a big watch on barrier one at this stage of the day.

SOUTHERN AURORAS (3) returned in good style winning easily here last start. Lightly raced 5yo mare and still has plenty of scope. BENEFITSOFMINE (1) another last start winner and won only narrowly but the margin could’ve been much greater if he hadn’t struck traffic in the run home. Harder here but looks capable of measuring up. BELLA CHINKARA (7) was disappointing on face value behind Benefitsofmine but she’s better than that and has been back to the trials. Provided they can run on later in the day she’s a good value chance. The rest are pretty even including TRIBAL COUNCIL (4) , ZULU FIELDS(9) and HUBUBBAJAHN (11) the pick of them.