The Listed Schweppes Tasmanian Derby is the feature race on Friday’s return to racing in Hobart and has been a race where the silverware has been taken out of the state in recent times. The Adam Trinder-trained Jerilderie Letter won the race in 2016 but he was the last Tasmanian based horse to win the race.
Speed in the Derby looks likeliest to come from Rogues Point and Skyt with no obvious leader among the local brigade. Still A Star again draws poorly, and while she overcame a wide run to win the Launceston Guineas, it will be interesting to see whether McCoull will snag her back to ensure cover or hope he can slot in exiting the home straight for the first time.
- Rogues Point (5) – Assessed Price $3.20
Trained by Anthony Freedman but purchased in Tasmania for $14,000 in 2018. He brings Victorian metro form having finished second when racing outside the leader in a race dominated on-speed at Sandown and leading when the quinella ran on from the back at Flemington. That form looks solid enough and he didn’t shirk the task when headed last start over 2000m. John Allen is no stranger to riding in Hobart and will roll forward and take some beating.
- Argyle Beach (7) – Assessed Price $30.00
Landed midfield in the Guineas but was shuffled wide mid-race and eventually ended up the widest runner in the home straight where he ground to the line. Scratched Wednesday night over 1600m to run here, so connections must think the distance is no issue, but like them all, he has some serious ground to make up on Still A Star.
- Skyt (10) – Assessed Price $16.00
Generally a go forward horse, Damien Thornton was forced to plan B last time when the horse was slowly away, but he made a mid-race move and ran away to win by a big margin at Cranbourne. Winkers are on for the first time, and assuming he jumps with the main field, he should push forward particularly from a wide draw. His form is yet to be proven but was certainly strong late over 2060m.
- Gee Gee Millmagic (8) – Assessed Price $150.00
He finished a long way down the track last time over the mile and in his career to date is yet to show any real staying capabilities.
- Up Wind (2) – Assessed Price $27.00
Struck a heavy track getting out to the staying distance for the first time in Launceston and was OK to the line without ever threatening to win. He should appreciate getting back on to a firm surface and will be fitter for the run last start. Brings a different formline to the Guineas and it wouldn’t surprise to see him run into the placings.
- Dixie’s Boy (3) – Assessed Price $60.00
Backed up quickly after the 2100m run on the heavy to put in a credible performance in the Guineas where he beat more home than not. Queensland rider Nozi Tomizawa comes down for the meeting and he may try to hold a position from a favourable draw in gate three.
- Vamos Raffa (1) – Assessed Price $25.00
Put in a nice Derby trial in the Guineas, running on from well back to give Heaven’s Bonus a scare for second late. Struggles to muster any early speed, so despite drawing gate one David Pires will likely be back in the pack on the rail. The way he finished last time makes him the pick of those beside the filly coming through the Guineas, but it’s a big ask to try and win this race as a maiden.
- Tee Jay Frankie (9) – Assessed Price $70.00
Landed in a gun spot in the Guineas and stuck on to pick up some fourth-place prizemoney. Draws out this time so the task is a little more difficult for Stan Tsaikos, but the horse is another who should be better for having the 2100m run behind him.
- Sir Dana (4) – Assessed Price $100.00
Settled back and wide in the Guineas but managed to beat a couple of horse’s home. His only win came at a non-TAB meeting and there looks to be easier races than this for him to get back in the winner’s stall.
- Still A Star (11) – Assessed Price $2.15
One of two fillies in this field, she demolished the boys in the Launceston Guineas and now looks to do the same here in the Derby, with no filly winning the race since 2009. She powered away on the home turn to win by a space but hasn’t had any favours again with the barrier draw, with Brendon McCoull to jump from the widest gate. She’d have to be right off her game for anything to beat her that finished behind last time, but there does look to be more depth among the horses bringing different formlines to the race.
- Unbothered (6) – Assessed Price $200.00
She’s beaten a combined four horses home in three career starts which will ensure she goes around a huge price at this level.
Matt Reid’s Tasmanian Derby market:
| Rogues Point | 3.2 | 31% |
| Argyle Beach | 30 | 3% |
| Skyt | 16 | 6% |
| Gee Gee Millmagic | 150 | 1% |
| Up Wind | 27 | 4% |
| Dixie’s Boy | 60 | 2% |
| Vamos Raffa | 25 | 4% |
| Teejay Frankie | 70 | 1% |
| Sir Dana | 100 | 1% |
| Still A Star | 2.15 | 47% |
| Unbothered | 200 | 1% |
| 100% |