Tasracing

A track record was set in the 2020 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup and they may give that a shake in 2021 given the amount of speed in the race. Dark Wanderer, Shot of Irish, Orange Roughie, Kanji and Gee Gee Fiorente would all appear likely to go forward so you would expect the race to be a genuinely run affair.

Below is Matt Reid’s runner by runner preview including his assessed price for each horse.

1. Eastender (11) – Assessed price $20

The winner of this race in 2019 carrying 57.5kg, will carry an additional 6kg if he’s here for the 2021 instalment. The 7YO is also a nomination for the WFA Tasmanian Stakes over a mile in Launceston on Friday. It will be great to see him back in action this week regardless of which race it’s in and he did carry 65kg to win an open handicap in Devonport back in April 2019.

2. Shot of Irish (3) – Assessed price $9.5

One of the more difficult runners to line-up in the race. The 6YO gelding has been campaigning in Victoria with Richard Laming and now returns to the Scott Brunton stable where he started his career. He is a legitimate wet tracker without a synthetic start to his credit so how he will handle Devonport is an unknown. He’s a tough on-pacer with the type of racing style that is usually successful around this track though and the stable have won this race previously with Lander Dollar in 2015.

3. Newhart (15) – Assessed price $3.15

One of two Star Thoroughbred acceptors in the race, neither having much luck with the barrier draw. The 2020 winner of this race will jump from the widest gate, carrying 3.5kg more than he did 12 months ago. He has been narrowly defeated as favourite in both traditional lead-up races but will meet that horse, Gee Gee Fiorente, 2kg better at the weights for their most recent clash. With a lot of speed in the race on paper, the barrier likely dictates that Craig Newitt will go back and attempt to round the field as he did to win the race last year.

4. Gee Gee Fiorente (14) – Assessed price $6

Arguably the state’s most underrated horse, the Team Wells-trained five-year-old is aiming for six consecutive wins, half of those coming this preparation. Randy Tan retains the ride after winning both the Sheffield Cup and Golden Mile aboard the gelding and I suspect the tactics will be to try and cross the field early from barrier 14 and find a spot on-speed. Gee Gee Fiorente led the field last year until the final 200m, but returning a stronger horse this year, one tends to think he will be much stronger at the end of the race.

5. Dark Wanderer (1) – Assessed price $8.50

He tasted defeat for the first time in his career but was far from disgraced. The 5YO gelding led the field at track record pace in the Sheffield Cup, eventually finishing under two lengths from the winner. Siggy Carr has the inside draw and given the horse has done nothing but lead throughout his career, you would expect the tactics will be to try and lead throughout. He’s unproven at the Cup distance, but also is unlikely to have realised his full potential.

6. White Hawk (8) – Assessed price $25

One of a few runners on the quick back-up after racing in the Longford Cup on Friday. The 7YO has only missed a placing once in seven tries at the T&D and was an excellent run at Longford, working home into second placing. He should appreciate a staying contest with the prospect of a strong tempo, and it wouldn’t surprise to see him finish in the money.

7. Galway Girl (6) – Assessed price $50

The 5YO mare started favourite in the Longford Cup but never saw a lot of daylight and didn’t exactly attack the line when she found it in the home straight. It’s been the plan to back her up into this race though at a track where she has won three times in the past. Maps for a good run for the in-form Ismail Toker, so she’ll have her chance to show that she can see out the trip.

8. Orange Roughie (9) – Assessed price $13

Another horse who has nominated for the Tas Stakes on Friday. On 30 August last year the 5YO gelding won a 1350m maiden at this track so it’s hard to believe that just over four months and five straight wins later he is a runner in the Devonport Cup. He continues to step up to the mark, but this looks a different ballgame. At his most recent start he finished alongside Ethical Dilemma who was midfield in both the Sheffield Cup and Longford Cup which perhaps provides a guide to line-up his form. Impossible to knock the run he is on though, and he has placed nine times from 10 attempts at the track.

9. Sh’bourne Renegade (13) – Assessed price $27

The 4YO gelding went to a new level after the return to racing following the COVID-19 shutdown and now faces his biggest test to date. He was one of the better runs in the Sheffield Cup, running on from worse than midfield to finish a closing fourth. He’ll appreciate the rise in distance but is likely to be giving a start and meets Newhart worse at the weights as they all do from that race.

10. Kanji (10) – Assessed price $100

The veteran 9YO finished third in this race behind Eastender in 2019. He was a last start winner in BM74 company which I think is about his rightful grade these days. He’ll add speed into the race and it will be a big thrill for apprentice Codi Jordan to have a ride in a feature race like this.

11. Ethical Dilemma (4) – Assessed price $35

I would imagine it’s been a frustrating run for connections of Ethical Dilemma, he has placed six times without a win since a victory at this track over 1150m in June last year. Forgive the run at Longford where he was wide without cover and he was OK without threatening in the Sheffield Cup the start prior. Enjoys racing in Devonport and could be one for multiples.

12. White Cliffs (7) – Assessed price $90

The progressive 4YO attempts to jump from a last start B66 win where he carried 60.5kg to open class company. His wins as a 3YO were impressive enough that connections took him across to Caulfield where a wet track didn’t suit. He’s a horse on the rise but I think he will be a much stronger chance in this race next year.

13. Shewearsthepants (5) – Assessed price $150

She’s racing consistently in lower graded races, starting favourite in a BM66 in Longford on Friday. She had her chance there and I’ll be happy to stick with her when she drops back in grade but not in this class.

14. Generalmaintenance (2) – Assessed price $75

I thought his run was excellent in the Longford Cup but as a 63 rater I would’ve expected his next appearance to be something in the BM66 to 74 range. He is obviously racing well but appears outclassed in this field, getting only 3.5kg off a horse like Newhart who’s rated 29 points higher.

15. Wineglass Bay (EM12)

Entitled to be a very big price if he gets a start in the final field.

Matt Reid’s 2021 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup assessed prices: