The 4YO Tasbreds take centre stage at Devonport on Sunday in the $30,000 Maxfield Drilling Raider Stakes Final (entires and geldings) and the $30,000 Adam Brooks Group Granny Smith (mares). The early fixed odds market for the Raider Stakes is dominated by Resurgent Spirit (N1 $1.80 fav) from Artarama (N8 $4.50) and Le Premiere (N4 $5.50). Vande Velde (N11) has shortened from $34 into $19.
Resurgent Spirit was gallant in defeat when second to Le Premiere in the heat and from the dream draw at Devonport, looks set to register his 18th win from 28 starts. Le Premiere could end up in the breeze while Artarama may get an economical run through from the second line. Vande Velde was super in the heat but has drawn very awkwardly in the final.
The Granny Smith betting is dominated by Faithful Gabby (N4 $1.45 fav) and Miley Rose (N7 $3.20). La Ebony Kita (N8 $6.50) is the other runner at a single figure quote. Miley Rose got up to defeat Faithful Gabby in the 3YO leg of this series (Bandbox Final) but the barrier draw marbles favour Faithful Gabby this year leading to her short quote.
Ten races are listed for decision at Devonport and three are $10,000 feature races. The first is the Tattsbet.Com Devonport Belmont (R3) for maiden 2YO fillies. Five of the nine acceptors are having their first race start and recent trials may provide a guide for punters. Shesastandout (R3 N9) won a Hobart trial on 15 April rating 2:04 for 1609 metres and Angelina Rainbow (R3 N2) was four metres back in second place. Our Kinda Art (R3 N3) won a Devonport trial on Monday night by three metres from Karalta Stardust (R3 N6) and the mile rate was a slow 2:12 for 1930 metres.
Impressive ex New Zealand filly Last Flight In (R4 N8) may be the measuring stick in the $10,000 Max McCormack in what is shaping as an interesting race. Undefeated at both race starts, the 3YO rated a smart 2:00.1 for 2090 metres at Hobart last Sunday. Thirlstane King (R4 N7) also has a perfect record winning his only start at Hobart in August 2014 in 1:59.5 – the equal fastest time for a 2YO at Hobart last season. Young Bruiser (R4 N4) was heavily backed at Launceston last Friday at his first start for Melissa Maine and Gareth Rattray and charged through a narrow gap to win. He has fared better in the barrier draw than Thirlstane King or Last Flight In.
The other feature race is the Collins Homes Ulverstone Cup where the backmarker Motu Crusader (R6 N9) will line up behind the 50 metres strand and he may have to set a new standard to win the race. It appears that 35 metres is the current record for a Devonport standing start win. Gold Label overcame that handicap to win the 1995 Devonport Cup and Tough Rock did the same winning the 2004 Ulverstone Cup.