FAVOURABLE barrier draws have enhanced the chances of at least two of the interstate invaders winning the 2014 Betfair Hobart Cup over 2400 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Sunday.
The official barrier draw was held at Tattersall’s Park today and as the theme for this year’s Cup is “Hang onto your Hat” The Hobart Stocking Shop provided hats that were placed on mannequin heads under which were placed barrier numbers.
Connections of each runner were invited to step forward to the podium and select a hat to determine their horse”s fate, under the watchful eye of chief thoroughbred steward Anthony O’Connell.
The David Hayes-trained Unchain My Heart drew ideally in barrier four while Epingle from the Mick Kent stable drew alongside in gate three giving them an edge on their rivals.
Unchain My Heart has been installed at $4.80 with Tattsbet in its fixed odds market while Epingle is second elect at $4.60 with the Darren Weir-trained First Bloom to start from barrier 11 in the field of 12 but has been installed favourite at $3.40 despite the poor draw.
First Bloom placed second in the Tasmanian oaks last season and she will be ridden by Michelle Payne.
The Terry and Katrina O’Sullivan-trained Magnapal that was a close-up second to Instrumentalist at Caulfield over 2400 metres last start has drawn the inside gate (1) and is quoted at a generous $8 with Tattsbet.
Local hero Geegees Blackflash is the shortest priced of the Tasmanian contingent at $6 but his part-owner Paul Geard stepped to the podium at the official barrier draw today and drew the outside gate for his champion.
Geegees Blackflash is already a winner of the race in 2012 and will go into Sunday’s race in winning form having emerged triumphant in the Summer Cup two weeks ago.
The Geards will have two runners on Sunday with Geegees Blackflash’s half-sister Gee Gees La Quita an each-way chance at $18 and she too takes winning for into the race having won the weight-for-age Jockey Club Cup (2200m) defeating The Cleaner last Sunday.
The Cleaner is the likely leader in Sunday’s Group 3 race and while he had his colours lowered last Sunday by Gee Gees La Quita he will improve with the blinkers going back on for his Hobart Cup assignment.
Craig Newitt has taken the ride on the Michael Moroney-trained Surpass and he comes off a midfield effort at his most recent start in the Victoria Cup at Caulfield.
The Peter Moody-trained Macedonian has drawn gate 10 but he has been installed the rank outsider at $101 by Tattsbet.
Last year’s winning Hobart Cup rider Glen Boss has been booked to ride the Julie Richards-trained Relentless Pursuit that is $26 in early markets with the remaining local hopes Allegro Dehere ($26) and Can Get Thirsty ($71) considered outside chances.
You can view the full Betfair Hobart Cup field on the RISA website.