THREE heats of the Rapidvite Tasmanian Country Derby are the feature races on the nine-event card at Devonport today.
The first heat (race 2) boasts a plethora of winning chances including Posh Fire from box one, Lisheen (2), Teemac (8) and the consistent Priority Punter (7).
Lisheen is the most consistent from the boxes so if he delivers at the start today he should be the one they have to run down.
Prescribe is arguably the best dog in the second heat (Race 3) but he is a keen railer and is not best served on box eight but there is no genuine speed inside him so should be run the line to the top turn and gets across to the rail he should win.
Elite Enfield has been in good form of late winning two in succession before a last-start third in Hobart so he only needs to step cleanly from box two to put himself in contention for a berth in next week’s final.
Chances also must be given to Kalispell (1) and Winklea Hawk (7).
The final heat (Race 5) sees the in-form Lorus Time (5) from the powerful Ted Medhurst kennel aiming for four wins in succession.
While drawn awkwardly, he is a winner over the course and distance three starts back defeating Miss Stylist that franked the form by winning a juvenile in Hobart last Thursday night.
Rory Mac (3) won impressively on the track two starts back and only needs to replicate that form to win while Raz Simpson is ideally drawn in box one and would give this a shake if he found the lead.
Medhurst’s other candidate is the in-form Star Chamber that has drawn box eight.
He is a known slow beginner so the wide alley should not be too much of a deterrent as he is a powerful finisher and capable of winning his way into the final.
The first two placegetters and the two fastest thirds will progress to the final next week.
There were insufficient nominations to produce heats of the Tasmanian Country Oaks but one of the favourites for that event to be run as a best eight next week is recent Illingworth Classic winner Demi Cali.
The Debbie Cannan-owned bitch goes around in race eight (grade 4) today over 452 metres and looms as the one to beat despite starting from box five.