Racing returned to Devonport on Friday with a twilight meeting featuring the first major lead-up race to the Devonport Cup, the Golden Mile. Dream Roller raced his way into Cup calculations with an impressive win that gave him ballot free entry into the big one on January 6. The tapeta surface raced slower than average at its first meeting back from a break and racing on speed was a distinct advantage. Graeme McCulloch and David Keating took the training honours with a double, while apprentices Siggy Carr and Kyle Maskiell continued their good form with two winners apiece.
Race 1 3:06pm Jensen’s Electrical Maiden Plate (900m)
Gee Gee Sun Valley broke through for her maiden win here but the task was much tougher than her starting price ($1.65) suggested it would be. She found the lead quite comfortably but Liberty Dance forced her to work considerably through the middle stages to hold the rail. Both were entitled to knock up late after turning a long way in front but Gee Gee Sun Valley was strongest to the line to get the prize. She’ll need to continue improving to work her way through the grades but she is honest and puts herself into races.
Liberty Dance was a good effort on debut after racing a half-length in front outside of the favourite for much of the trip. She knocked up the last bit but will derive plenty from the run and her speed will be very useful at this track. Quiet Wonder didn’t have the speed of the first two but ran home fairly to clearly hold 3rd and showed enough to work with for the prep.
Race 2 3:43pm Webb & Woddiwiss Maiden Plate (1150m)
Tara’s Gem was a comfortable winner here and her fast start was the key, enabling her to get outside the leader very quickly from her wide draw. Kyle Maskiell was able to control the race from there, sliding up outside Poacher’s Son when it drove to the lead and then sprinting away on turning and the race was never in doubt. Overall time wasn’t flash but she is still lightly raced and on the up and should be competitive up in grade.
Poacher’s Son did quite a bit of work to find the lead and had no peace once he got there with Tara’s Gem and Hofsetter giving it to him as they rounded the bend so his effort was alright sticking on for 2nd. Antah is a promising horse and his effort to run 3rd was very good given the pattern of the day. Drifted right back after beginning well but was still forced to race 3 wide throughout, but continued to make ground in the run home. He’ll be better suited on a turf track.
Race 3 4:18pm Spreyton Bakery Class 1 Handicap (1150m)
Harvey Bay made it 2 out of 2 with a tough effort out in front. Siggy Carr wanted the front but the horse had to do a stack of work early to hold out the well-backed Gee Gees Vicki ($21 to $7.50) and the field strung out considerably as a result. He beat off Gee Gees Vicki at the 200m and was a sitting shot for Rougeau but he found enough to hang on narrowly. The overall time was only fair but considering the blistering early speed he clearly has a future.
Rougeau again ran well here but again found one better. Even considering the on-pace nature of the day he had a great run back in about 6th position and was entitled to do what he did, but he is proving himself a very consistent galloper and his best will be good enough sooner or later. Claiborne King was a stunning 3rd from well back in the field and looks suited up in grade. His last 200m was visually sensational but worth noting it was only the 15th fastest of the program and was somewhat flattered by the on-pacers who were considerably stopping over the last bit.
Race 4 5:00pm Impressions Hair & Body Devonport Benchmark 72 Handicap (1150m)
Beluga Miss was a highly impressive winner here, racing away to score by a big space after holding the lead from her inside draw. She ran very good splits from the front, with all her sectionals from the 800m home among the top 8 of the day, and her overall time was strong relative to the slower times being recorded throughout the meeting. She races very well at this track but is also capable on turf as her previous start showed. This mare is racing in excellent form and will obviously be very hard to beat in this grade until the handicapper can catch up with her.
Auntie Beverley had a reasonable run back on the inside and ran home well for 2nd in a run which promises a bit for the future. Craig Conron has a knack of winning races with these lesser performed Victorian gallopers and this mare looks a very good acquisition considering her rating is a lowly 54. Vengeance Of Fury was the run of the race outside the winner, having to race well back in the field after missing the start and then taking tight runs in the straight to run a strong 3rd. He was strong to the line with a top 10 last 200m split and looks in for another good prep. King’s Spirit was a major disappointment as favourite but it wasn’t totally unexpected by punters, drifting from $2.60 to $3.40. The 1150m trip has tested him in the past and he knocked right up in the straight after working into a position to challenge approaching the home straight. Back to 1000m looks his go.
Race 5 5:40pm Lending 4 You Benchmark 62 Handicap (1650m)
Kool Kash had the form on the board leading into this and got the job done for the punters who kept coming for him ($2.70 to $1.85). Kyle Maskiell controlled him masterfully in front, holding the lead despite a bit of pressure early and picking up the tempo when required to keep the backmarkers working and out of their rhythm. The horse’s manners were also much improved and he is looking like a very handy miler with a strong cruising speed. He is proven in better grade than this and can return to BM72 grade and be very competitive.
Sir Joey returned well first up and backed that effort up here with a strong effort to run home into 2nd, while Windell was particularly impressive being first up himself and charged home into 3rd on the back of the 4th fastest last 200m for the meeting. Both are capable of winning a race this prep on their efforts. Gwemrae and Minna Lass were both well beaten but endured tough runs and they can be forgiven.
Race 6 6:17pm James Boag’s Golden Mile (1650m)
Dream Roller raced his way into Devonport Cup calculations with an incredibly tough all the way win which gave him ballot free entry into the Cup. Kim Moore made her intentions known early in a fast battle for the lead and took up the running despite having to run along at a very fast tempo to do so. While other on-pacers were feeling the pinch on turning, Dream Roller was still kicking and was able to hold off proven performers Lingo and At The Weekend – both who had enjoyed soft runs behind him. He has won his only 2 goes over the 1880m Cup trip and now he looks to be hitting his straps as a 5yo he’s going to be a major lightweight chance in next month’s Cup.
Lingo enjoyed a perfect run from his inside gate and while he was unable to peg back the leader he again ran his usual solid race. Eternal Speed was a very good effort in his first try in open grade considering he covered a bit of extra ground but was still strong at the finish. He’s still improving and shaping nicely for these similar type of races on the horizon. At The Weekend was given a peach of a ride by Anthony Darmanin but didn’t quite finish off and might still be getting to her peak, while Up Cups was very good from last and is ready to win when he gets things his way.
Race 7 6:49pm Hardings Hotmix Benchmark 62 Handicap (1350m)
Kentucky Bound scored another win on his home track here courtesy of a perfect ride from Anthony Darmanin. He landed behind the leader and that was the only horse he had to come around to take over late in proceedings and win comfortably. While he has mixed his form he now has 3 wins from only 9 runs and does know how to get the job done when things go his way.
Viva La Verve showed good early speed to find the front and was only picked up by the one on her back in a much improved effort. The money has come for her in both runs this prep so she is clearly showing someone something and looks to be getting back to the form she showed as a 3yo. Wanaea ran home well after enjoying a good midfield run but just died on her run late and the jury remains out on her at this distance. Burma and Col’s Hero were both disappointing after enjoying reasonable runs on the speed, while Krake can be forgiven after facing the breeze 3 wide throughout.