Devonport Chase Heat 1 (Race 4)
Looking at the speed map for the first heat and there are two clear stand outs on recent first sections. STOP LINE (3) has recorded 5.91 and 5.94 at his last two runs on the track and CHIEF’S EMPIRE (4) has produced consistent, fast early sections over the short distance since arriving in Tasmania that are only marginally behind STOP LINE (3)’s efforts.
CHIEF’S EMPIRE (4) has raced straight early and hasn’t been too close to the rail which could provide STOP LINE (3) with some room as he loves the fence. Add to that a wide runner, WYNBURN BABE (5) in box five and It appears as though STOP LINE (3) only needs to cross the one and two dogs and find the fence to be tough to beat on his brilliant overall times on the track.
There doesn’t appear to be much between BUCKLE UP CARTER (1), FREYA THE SLAYER (7) and SPRINT GORDON (6) on their recent best efforts with the red runner having the preferred draw. SPRINT GORDON (6) is a slow beginner who likes to rail and may need some luck in running to find a forward position through the bend. FREYA THE SLAYER (7) can improve on her first-up effort on the track where she struck trouble around the turn.
STOP LINE (3) has opened a deserved favourite at better than even-money and it is hard to bet against him at those odds.
Devonport Chase Heat 2 (Race 5)
The inside runners appear prominent on the early speed map for the second heat with SPEEDY DENEHOLME (1) having recent best times of 5.99 and 6.02. She is slightly behind the much improved, YOUNG RECRUIT (2) who is racing in career best form including early splits of 5.95 and 5.96 on the track at his recent races. They have both opened at greater than 20/1 and would most likely need to improve their overall times to be a factor here however must be considered in place betting if they can hold a forward position through the turn.
SPRINT GORDON (3) and NITRO SAMBAR (5) have a clear advantage on best times. STANLEY GORDON (3) broke the track record in Hobart recently and NITRO SAMBAR (5) ran a sensational, 29.65 at Launceston last time out. They both can be a little slow to get going from the boxes and like some room in the early stages of the race but there is a slow beginner in box four and a wide runner in box seven that may assist them during that stage of the race.
STANLEY GORDON (3) has about a length advantage through the first section on NITRO SAMBAR (5) and likes to race away from the rail through the turn so may hold a slight advantage here from the draw.
Devonport Chase Heat 3 (Race 6)
NED ISAKOFF (2) and IT’S FLETCH (8) stand out through the early and middle stages of the race based on best recent performances and both have drawn well. NED ISAKOFF (2) loves to rail and ran a great early section of 5.94 last start, slightly behind his best of 5.93. A repeat of those efforts would see him holding the lead from the inside. IT’S FLETCH (8) is a wide runner who ran 6.01 to the first mark a few starts back from box seven. They both have similar excellent second sections that should see them both near the lead at that point in the race with clean runs.
HAVILAH KID (6) was impressive last start running the quickest time of the day and accounting for fellow competitor, LEPRECHAUN DANCE (5) comfortably. Steps up in class and has a tricky draw but has each-way claims with the right run.
NED ISAKOFF (2) has the better, recent overall times and looks to have CLUNES (1) covered in the early stages so can cross and find the front.
Devonport Chase Heat 4 (Race 7)
The quickest recent early sections belong to LEICA PRAYER (2) who has recorded 5.91 and 5.90 from her last two starts on the track, both from inside draws. With wider runners in boxes four, five and six she may get some room to drive to the lead along the rail. PECO CAN (6) ran 5.94 at her last Devonport run and can produce quicker if she is at her best.
PECO CAN (6) was considerably slower than her best times from a few months ago at her first run back from a break last month. She has a quick beginner in box eight and a wide runner in box five so will need her best early to put herself in the race. Her best is clearly quick enough to win this race but prefer to watch her go around here at the short odds to get a better idea of how she is currently travelling.
EXPLOSIVE DRUMS (1) has solid New South Wales form and has raced well from the inside previously. Can improve on her run from last week.
LEICA PRAYER (2) has the best recent overall times to go with her excellent early speed and great draw which should make her hard to beat with a clean run. Looks value at the 2.70 opening quote.
Devonport Chase Heat 5 (Race 8)
The speed map is dominated by HELLO RHONDA (5) and ATLEY QUICK (8) with the latter having the better recent efforts. FABULOUS BAROQUE (6) is another length or so back in third with a clear margin to the rest of the field.
FABULOUS BAROQUE (6) is a fast beginner who likes to head to the rail which means HELLO RHONDA (5) will need her best early pace to hold him out and find a forward position. If they come together early, they may provide some room for ATLEY QUICK (8) to cross over from the outside.
ATLEY QUICK (2) was a sensational winner on the track three starts back from an inside draw running 25.46 overall. He has had the pink box twice since then and has had to sit wider than normal through the bend resulting in slower times but both runs have been impressive.
SACRED SHADOW (2) is arguably the strongest runner in the field having recorded smart times over the middle-distance at her recent starts. Likes the rail and may be sweating on a run just behind the leaders around the bend.
ATLEY QUICK (8) may have the pace to cross over and find the front this week and he was a brilliant winner when leading three starts back.
Devonport Chase Heat 6 (Race 9)
There is no genuine early pace in the field with WOOSHA (6) the only runner to break 6.00 at his last five starts recording 5.96 last week from the same draw, not far off his best. The better second sectional times are led by RAGING RALSTON (7) with a clear advantage over WYNBURN LETHAL (1) and CONNECTED (5).
Therefore, RAGING RALSTON (7) may be close to the lead early with two runners who rail drawn on his inside and has a huge advantage on best overall times compared with his competition. He has the nine fastest runs looking at the entire fields last 12 starts each and although he prefers to rail, has overcome this draw twice recently. The one to beat with a clear run.
BRIDWOOD MARSHAL (4) faces a tricky draw as he doesn’t rate well through the first and second sections however has a strong run home and has each-way claims on his best times if he can find the fence. WYNBURN LETHAL (1) has some of the better first sections in the field but did find trouble from this box recently as he prefers to race wide approaching the turn.
RAGING RALSTON (7) will be short odds but has a big advantage on best overall times and may be close to the leaders with no great speed in the race.