Atley Quick doesn’t just drop in grade for his Devonport assignment today, the son of Barcia Bale absolutely plummets in it when he contests the invitation event over the 452 metres.
Last Thursday the Sonia Martin-trained sprinter ran the race of his life to finish a heroic second to Australia’s best chaser Hooked On Scotch in the Group 1 Hobart Thousand Final.
Leaving an all-star cast of chasers in his wake on that occasion, outside the winner obviously, the 10-race victor returns to Devonport today where he boasts an outstanding record, missing a place just once in 16 appearances.
Drawn box three for race eight on the program, early markets have Atley Quick at $1.75, a price that seems more than generous given his blistering recent form.
Closest in betting is the Blake Pursell-trained Be Like Bill, the top flight chaser landing career win 21 when successful last Thursday at Hobart in 25.86.
For the record, Atley Quick registered 25.87 when finishing second in the group 1 blockbuster on the same program.
Today’s Christmas Eve Devonport meeting has dished up some competitive betting events where one of the better bets of the program looks to be the Darryl Fitzimmons-trained Anndar Winx in race four.
Regally bred by Sh Avatar out of Tifia, the brindle chaser has been racing very well in stronger races recently and with conditions to suit today is expected to justify her favourite tag for punters.
Fitzsimmons has six runners engaged on today’s program, including Zipping Jersey (box six) in race six and Shady Tiger (box 5) in race 10, both given very good chances in betting.
Zipping Jersey ran a scorching 16.16 winning over the Launceston 278 metres four runs back and with a smart 25.85 Devonport success under her belt recently, looks poised for another forward showing today.
Today’s Christmas Eve meeting commences at 12:17 and can be viewed on Sky 1 and the tasracing.com.au free live stream.