The final of the Allen Williams Memorial is the highlight of the Devonport night meeting on Boxing Day, which always brings together a field of up and coming pacers with the heavily backed Jimmy Smalls looking to bounce back after being beaten at short odds last time.
The Kevin Redpath North West Plate Final is the second of the features and brings together some handy pacers with the progressive Mister Gently looking the hardest to beat.
BEST BETS: Race 8 no 6 Jeans Mattjesty
BEST VALUE: Race 1 no 2 Prettyindisguise Race 6 no 2 Oneforthelads
BEST ROUGHIE: Race 3 no 7 Give me the Night Race 8 no 7 Our Quinn
QUADRELLA:
UTAB: 1 8 9 10 – 2 4 7 9 – 1 5 10 11 – 1 8 $32 flexi 25%
STAB: 1 8 – 2 3 4 7 8 10 – 2 4 5 6 7 – 1 6 $30 flexi 25%
RACE 1: 18:00 ROBERTS RURAL PACE 2297M
The first of the night is for the 48-55 rated mares and looks a tricky race to access. PRETTYINDISGUISE (2) has been ok at both runs and looks to find conditions to suit. She will have the speed to settle handy and is sure to make her presence felt. ISLAND ROCKNROLL (7) improved 30 yards last start when leading throughout she goes back to inside the second row so will need to get a crack at them but if does will be dangerous. WHENTHEGROUNDSHOOK (9) was spotted making up good ground last start and with a similar effort can figure. CLASS TELLS (3), ORIGIN TARA (4), HEIDI GO SEEK (5) and SHESTRYINGTACTICS (8) are all more than capable of figuring with the right trips in transit. THIRLSTANE QUEEN (1) resumes after racing in stronger races at her only two starts so it wouldn’t shock to see her run an improved race at odds from the draw.
TOP PICK: PRETTYINDISGUISE (2) looks a good each-way gamble.
DANGERS: ISLAND ROCKNROLL (7) looks the danger along with HEIDI GO SEEK (5).
ROUGHIE: SHESTRYINGTACTICS (8) gets the right trip to run a race at nice odds.
RATINGS: 2 – 3 4 5 7 8 9 – 1 6 10
SUGGESTED BET: Prettyindisguise win
EXOTIC BET: Trifecta 2 – field – field $28 flexi 50%
LIKELY LEADER: Prettyindisguise and Heidi go Seek will push forward and look to get across Thirlstane Queen.
RACE 2: 18:36 COLLINS HOMES PACE 2297M
This is for the 56-63 rated pacers and looks another race with plenty of chances. ORIGIN BILLY (1) resumed with a handy effort last week and will strip better for the run. He has the speed to take advantage of the draw and is sure to take running down. PINK PONDER (10) is low flying and despite drawing out the back comes right into calculations with the right trip in transit. DUSTY MARTINI (9) will go better driven with a sit instead of being asked to run the gate so can improve. GOT THE GOODS (8) is going ok and will be nice odds and if the emergency doesn’t gain a start he can figure. ROLLON JACK (3), THE LEMONDROP KID (5), KISSING GAME (6), are all going ok and have to be included by the exotic players.
TOP PICK: ORIGIN BILLY (1) looks hard to beat.
DANGERS: PINK PONDER (10) is the danger along with GOT THE GOODS (8).
ROUGHIE: KISSING GAME (6) will give cheek at odds.
RATINGS: 1 – 8 9 10 – 2 3 4 5 6 – 11
SUGGESTED BET: Got the Goods on a 1 by 2 basis.
EXOTIC BET: Boxed trifecta 1 3 8 9 10 $30 flexi 50%
LIKELY LEADER: Origin Billy should hold them out.
RACE 3: 19:09 KEVIN REDPATH NORTH WEST PLATE FINAL 2286M
This is a $12,000 Kevin Redpath North West Plate final understand start conditions. Astute Stowport trainer Craig Hayes always has a nice type in his stables and MISTER GENTLY (9) is shaping up to be another but tonight will be his biggest test but Craig drives him to his ability and despite the second row draw he still looks the hardest to beat. ALTANA BLUE (4) was given no peace in front last time and can ping on top will give them something to chase with the same being said for WAR DAN STAR (2) who was slow away before hitting the line strongly late. ISLAND BLISS (5) loves the stand start conditions and if was able to ping across early she comes right into calculations. GUYS BETTOR BET (3), GIVE ME THE NIGHT (7), WEEROOK HARRY (11), and HEZA RUMMAGE (13) will all be double-figure odds and wouldn’t shock if they saluted the judge.
TOP PICK: MISTER GENTLY (9) looks hard to beat despite taking on seasoned horses.
DANGERS: ALTANA BLUE (4) looks a danger along with WAR DAN STAR (2).
ROUGHIE: GIVE ME THE NIGHT (7) will run a race at odds.
RATINGS: 9 – 2 3 4 5 7 11 13 – 6 8 10 12
SUGGESTED BET: Give Me the Night on 1 by 2 basis
EXOTIC BET: Boxed trifecta 2 3 4 5 7 9 $30 flexi 25%
LIKELY LEADER: Altana Blue and Island Bliss will look to ping across those to their inside early.
RACE 4: 19:39 MAXFIELD DRILLING PACE 2297M
This is a 64-79 rated affair where it looks a David and Goliath with Devonport trainer Adam Emery having one runner where Ben Yole trains the remaining nine runners so is not an easy race to access. FROSTYFLYER (5) comes out of the recent Tassie Golden Apple series in where he wasn’t disgraced and will find this much more to his liking so if they push forward early and settle handy will take plenty of beating. TARLETON RILEY (1) draws the pole which is huge around here so is sure to figure. READY TO FIRE (11) was able to win at huge odds last week when everything fell into place she does go alright around and with the right trip can win again. SOMEDAN (10) there are two of him and when the good one turns up he is well up to winning this so maybe a market move will be a good guide. ARTIFLASH (7) and JUST SAY SO (9) should get cheap runs so can place at odds.
TOP PICK: FROSTYFLYER (5) has the best form.
DANGERS: TARLETON RILEY (1) draws to be a danger along with READY TO FIRE (11).
ROUGHIE: JUST SAY SO (9) can improve at odds.
RATINGS: 5 – 1 7 9 10 11 – 3 4 6 8
SUGGESTED BET: Frostyflyer win.
EXOTIC BET: Trifecta 5 – 1 7 8 9 10 11 – 1 7 8 9 10 11 $30 flexi 100%
LIKELY LEADER: Tarleton Riley has the speed to lead but Frostyflyer and Fortino will push forward from out wide.
RACE 5: 20:11 7AD ALLEN WILLIAMS MEMORIAL 2297M
This is the feature of the night and looks a real good race with the Troy Hillier trained JIMMY SMALLS (1) looking to bounce back after a first-up defeat when heavily backed. He comes up with the pole which will be a huge advantage and he should have the speed to hold them out despite still learning what the game is all about. HE GOT ROCKED (6) was a dominant winner of that race and looks like things have finally clicked and he may be ready to show what his always promised. He draws outside the front row so if can push forward and settle handy will be a major player. BRING THE FLAVE (8) was good when resuming and has drawn to get every chance and continue the great run of Beauty Point trainer Rohan Hillier. AUCKLAND RUBY (2) and ILLAWONG ACHILLES (10) are not up to the top three but if they are not at their best will get their chances to figure at odds. SHADY STORY (5) was a handy winner on debut leading throughout but will find this harder so a minor placing is best as it is For BETTONBLACK (11) who was good on debut.
TOP PICK: JIMMY SMALLS (1) is the one to beat but be wary if too short in the market as is not foolproof as yet.
DANGERS: BRING THE FLAVE (8) is the danger along with HE GOT ROCKED (6).
ROUGHIE: AUCKLAND RUBY (2) draws to run a race at odds.
RATINGS: 1- 6 8 – 2 5 10 11 – 3 4 9
SUGGESTED BET: Jimmy Smalls win
EXOTIC BET: Trifecta 1 – 6 8- 6 8 – $50 flexi 2500% – 1 – 6 8 – 2 5 10 11 $20 flexi 250%
LIKELY LEADER: Jimmy Smalls has the pole so should hold up but I’m sure they will test him early.
RACE 6: 20:41 HARDINGS HOTMIZ PACE 2297M
This is a 48-55 rated affair and looks an interesting race to say the least. ONEFORTEHLADS (2) has been good at two local runs to date and gets a much better draw tonight so if can get across the pole early will be hard to beat. QUICK CHANGEOVER (8) will find this much easier and gets a good run through early so has to be included. IDEAL KARALTA (7) is the query as he resumes but has plenty of ability when he puts his best foot forward so keep safe. LAID BACK KENNY (3), FREDS UNDER FIRE (4), MOSTLY SPIRIT (6) and SOUTHERN GNP (10) have all been thereabouts of late and are definitely in with a winning chance with a touch of luck in running.
TOP PICK: ONEFORTHELADS (2) looks hard to beat.
DANGERS: IDEAL KARALTA (7) is a danger along with SOUTHERN GNP (10).
ROUGHIE: LAID BACK KENNY (3) draws to run a race at odds.
RATINGS: 2 – 3 7 8 10 – 1 4 5 6 11
SUGGESTED BET: Oneforthelads win
EXOTIC BET: Boxed trifecta 2 3 7 8 10 $30 flexi 50%
LIKELY LEADER: Oneforthelads and Laid Back Kenny will look to get across Mighty Spark early.
RACE 7: 21:11 JEREMY ROCKLIFF PACE 2297M
This is for the 30-47 rated performers and looks another race with plenty of chances. MAJOD DAVVIN (4) brings the most consistent form into the race and as long as he can push forward and settle handy he will be in the finish. GENTLEMAN RED (7) gets the draw he likes and will follow the pegs and only needs a crack at them to figure. MISTER LAST (2) was way below his best last time but finds a race where he can improve from the good draw so give another chance. BADRICK (5) and RAINBOW PHOENIX (6) where both last time and despite drawing out wide can figure. BETTERTHANRED (1) draws the pole so can improve as it’s a huge plus around here.
TOP PICK: GENTLEMAN RED (7) looks hard to beat.
DANGERS: MAJOR DAVVIN (4) looks a danger along with RAINBOW PHOENIX (6).
ROUGHIE: BETTERTHANRED (1) gets is chance to improve at odds.
RATINGS: 7 – 2 4 5 6 – 1 3 8
SUGGESTED BET: Gentleman Red win.
EXOTIC BET: Boxed trifecta 2 4 5 6 7 $30 flexi 50%
LIKELY LEADER: Betterthanred will look to advantage off the pole and hold up.
RACE 8 21:41 JOHN MCKENNA RACE NIGHT VET CLAIMER 2297M
This is a mobile claimer to finish off the night and looks to be a competitive affair. JEANS MATTJESTY (6) brings far and away the best form into the race and despite drawing the top of the track looks the one to beat. BOUNTY EYRE (1) draws the pole and if can hold them out early that will take him a long way to winning so include. SMILIN GEOFF (2) and CHILLA BREEZE (3) have been racing well of late and draw to be handy throughout so has to be included. OUR QUINN (7) gets a good run through and if the pole holds up can place at huge odds. OZZIE MAJOR (4) and MAX RICHTER (5) are also both capable of filling a minor placing at odds.
TOP PICK: JEANS MATTJESTY (6) is the one to beat.
DANGERS: BOUNTY EYRE (1) draws to be a danger along with SMILIN GEOFF (2).
ROUGHIE: OUR QUINN (7) can place at odds.
RATINGS: 6 – 1 2 3 7 – 4 5
SUGGESTED BET: Jeans Mattjesty win.
EXOTIC BET: Trifecta 6- 1 – field $25 flexi 500% – 6 – field – 1 $25 flexi 500%
LIKELY LEADER: Bounty Eyre can hold out Smilin Geoff