Tasracing

The powerful Ciaron Maher stable could dominate the $250,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup (2400m) on Sunday.

Maher sent two horses down for the Cup, and both had a start at the track, finishing first and second in the Summer Cup (2200m) a fortnight ago.

On that occasion, Promises Kept was victorious, scoring by 1.75 lengths from Strawberry Rock. That race was, however, weight-for-age (WFA), and Strawberry Rock meets his stablemate 2kg better under the handicap conditions of the Cup.

Both horses have remained in the state enjoying the environment at Seven Mile Beach.

“They’ve loved it, it’s been really good for them particularly for Strawberry Rock something a little bit different has really perked him up, so we’re very happy,” stable representative Briony Deeker-Fradd said.

“They are both looking and feeling really well.”

The Maher pair had a grass gallop on Tuesday at the Hobart track along with the other interstate Cup hopefuls.

Promises Kept opened the $2.20 favourite for the Cup with Strawberry Rock $4.80, Arugamama $5 and Goldman $7.

The Cup winner will be eligible for a $150,000 bonus if they can also win the Launceston Cup on 26 February.

Thomas Lyons

While the Cup carries the lion’s share of the stake money on Sunday, there will be plenty of interest in the Listed WFA $125,000 Wrest Point Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) with the “little champ” The Inevitable and up-and-comer Durazzo meeting for the first time.

Under the WFA conditions, all horses will carry 59kg, a huge advantage for The Inevitable, which has won 18 races and has more than $2.15 million in prize money. He is also a past winner of the Thomas Lyons in 2023.

Although now a 9yo, The Inevitable is still racing as well as ever having won the Conquering Stakes (1400m) on 11 December, and the Tasmanian Stakes (1600m) on  27 December at his past two runs.

“We’ve kept him ticking over, he probably only had a week off, he galloped the other morning on the grass, and he was as good as ever,” trainer John Keys said.

“I won’t allow myself to get too confident but under the race conditions, he should just about win.”

Durazzo is the rising star of Tasmanian racing, a winner of seven of his nine starts. He put up an incredible effort to win the Carpet Charge (1009m) at Devonport just a month ago and had an effortless win in a small field in Launceston last Sunday.

“He’s the real deal,” trainer Barry Campbell said after the win.

“I’m not looking forward to running into The Inevitable, I’d prefer him not to be there.”

The Inevitable has opened the $2.15 favourite with Durazzo $2.90. On the third line of betting at $6.50 is Newmarket winner Geegees Gemstone.

“He’s in really good order, he didn’t have any luck last start,” trainer Stuart Gandy said.

Hobart Cup Day gets underway at 11.55. All the actions, including pre- and post-race interviews, can be seen on Tasracing Live, where Matt Reid and Duncan Dornauf will host the coverage.