Tasracing

A field of eight have accepted for the Ladbrokes Golden Mile (1650 metres), race four on Friday’s Devonport program.

A key lead-up race to the Devonport Cup on 8 January, this year’s Golden Mile has had a reshuffle in the racing calendar.

The traditional path to the Devonport Cup will see many horses tackle the Golden Mile and Sheffield Cup before heading to the Listed Devonport Cup feature. While the order of the lead-up races hasn’t changed, the value of the races has with the Golden Mile reducing from $50,000 in 2018 to $30,000 in 2019 and the Sheffield Cup increasing from $20,000 in 2018 to $50,000 in 2019.

The Tasracing led initiative is expected to see the quality of fields improve as the Cup draws closer, where the lead-up races in 2018 saw 14 horses contest the Golden Mile on 7 December, and a field of eight line-up in the Sheffield Cup on 23 December.

Both the Golden Mile and Sheffield Cup afford ballot free entry into the Devonport Cup to the winner of the race, as does the Longford Cup run on New Year’s Day.

Last year’s Golden Mile winner Willby Rules returns to defend his title and should improve off his last start effort returning to the track where he has won all nine of his races.

Top-weight in the race is the John Blacker trained Beaufort Lad who is rated nine points above any other runner, and under the handicap conditions of the race is the only horse that won’t carry 54kg, giving 4.5kg to the field.

John Blacker has a strong hand in the race with Triple Strip every chance to open favourite in early betting, while the 1350 metre track-record holder Dothraki Princess is likely to inject some speed into the race.

Friday’s Devonport meeting commences at 15:49 and Devonport Racing Club encourages everyone to get to the track to enjoy live music, great food and prize giveaways. The twilight card will have the first four races shown on Sky Racing 1 with the balance on Sky Racing 2.