In Brief
- First gallops trials since COVID on the synthetic Tuesday.
- Racing schedule provides trainers a target following trials.
- Cup placegetter returns for Blacker.
After thoroughbred trials have been successfully conducted in Hobart and Launceston over the past fortnight, the all-weather track in Devonport enters the action Tuesday with 12 trials and over 40 horses in action.
Originally excluded from return to racing plans due to the COVID outbreak on the north-west coast, the inclusion of the area is a real boost for the industry given the synthetic track is set to receive significant use through winter.
The first meeting back in Devonport will be 28 June with an additional set of trials on 16 June providing trainers with another opportunity to use the synthetic track prior to that meeting.
As has been the case all over the state, Tuesday’s trials have been very well supported and the recent release of the racing schedule for June now affords trainers the opportunity to trial horses with a specific race in mind.
Longford trainer John Blacker had some success over the weekend with his consistent stayer Generalmaintenance breaking through for a deserved win at Bendigo on Saturday.
Blacker takes a team of eight to Devonport on Tuesday with the highest profile being this year’s Ladbrokes Devonport Cup runner up, Triple Strip, who has won twice at the track previously.
As an 84 rated galloper, the open class sprint over 1200 metres in Hobart on 21 June seems the only suitable race for the four-year-old mare in the first month of racing, and some interstate options look to be in-play for the winner of seven of her 16 career races.
Triple Strip is in the ninth trial of the morning with the first due to jump at 10:00 with all replays available on the Tasracing website following the conclusion of the session.
Watch the replay of Triple Strip finishing second in this year’s Ladbrokes Devonport Cup.