PUNTERS who take on the Russell Watts-trained dog Elle Don in the third race in Hobart tonight are likely to have a few anxious moments from the start to the top turn but if the talented son of Cosmic Rumble can avoid interference he should prove too good for his rivals.
One of Elle Don’s biggest problems has been his box manners, which is why he has only won one race from five starts on the Hobart circuit.
But the dog has such a motor that it is hard to leave him out of the winning chances whenever he goes around.
Tonight he steps from box six and has known slow beginners on either side in Wynburn Chaos (5) and Blue Slugger (7) so that should enhance Elle Don’s chances of a reasonably clean getaway.
Princess Zara is having its first start in the state in the care of astute mentor Graeme Moate but her form back in April when she last raced in NSW was only fair, although she was placed at Wentworth Park three starts back that might be a good enough form line to suggest she would win without surprising.
Pete Staples’ best bet on the card: Race 7 # 5 Senor Slammer – trying for three wins in succession following impressive victories at Devonport, the latest on Tuesday when he flew the lids from box six and gave nothing else a chance on his way to a six-length win in an invitation race over 452 metres and clocked a sizzling 25.25 that was easily the best gallop of the day.