Thoroughbred racing is at Hobart on Saturday with a 7 event card highlighted by a hot field of sprinters in the THA & Hostplus Goodwood Handicap. With fine weather forecast we should be working on a Good track, with the rail out 5m from the 1150m mark to the winning post and 3m for the remainder.
Race 1 2:02pm Foxtel for Business Maiden Plate (1100m)
Should be a good tempo here with a number of on pace runners and a few drawn wide who will look to go forward early. Think Nadaam will be ridden for speed today, with Lotza Kitty and Gee Gees Blondie likely to push towards the front from their wide draws. Big field but the promising 3yos look to be the ones to work around.
Turtles Nest resumes from a spell following an autumn campaign that netted 5 placings from 7 runs, with 4 of those coming in open 2yo grade. It took some smart horses to knock him off, with the likes of Gee Gees Top Notch, Siorca and Gee Gees Red Prince able to deny him his maiden win. In well with the claim for Raquel Clark with gate 10 being the major concern. Looks hardest to beat in a competitive race.
Nadaam was a little disappointing first up when 5th behind a very smart debut winner in Nunivak, but he did finish in a bunch with the placegetters. With that run under his belt he can improve here, with both of his previous fresh runs also being below par. Well drawn with Brendon McCoull taking the ride, he can get a good run near the lead and his form in the autumn 2yo races ties in with Turtles Nest. He’s a winning hope.
Gee Gees Blondie continues to race well while finding one or two better. Led at a very strong tempo last time and did a good job to stick on for 3rd in what may prove to be a quality form race behind Cameo Kiss. Gets in light with Victor Wong’s claim but her main hurdle looks to be the outside gate. She has the speed to try and overcome it and is a genuine chance if she can get across, but if she gets caught wide or has to do too much work that will put an end to her chances.
Lotza Kitty was just fair last time when 4th behind D’inzeo but was involved in a heavy bumping duel on the home turn which may have affected her ability to finish off. She has been well in the market at both runs and has blinkers applied for the first time in this. Drawn a bit wide but has the speed to cope and pretty confident she can get over. Doesn’t have the form on the board of the top 3 but can improve again to be in the finish.
Hello Gertie resumed with a strong finishing 3rd over the shorter 1000m trip where she ran some of the better late sectionals of the meeting. Rise in trip suits here but this is much harder. Gate 1 may help her get the cheap run she’ll need to feature in the finish but she will need luck to do so. Will be running on, just a case of whether she’s up to the better ones in this.
There are a number of first starters to keep an eye on. Only Kiss has blinkers on and trialled nicely behind Gee Gees Jet in good time. From a good draw she looks the best chance from the trials. Cincha trialled alright and is a full brother to former smart filly Tough Chik. Miss Maneuver has had 3 trials to get her ready for her debut run and has Anthony Darmanin booked to ride. One Shot Off and Miss Midge are the remaining hopes who probably need a run but be sure to monitor the market with all the newcomers.
Verdict: Turtles Nest looks well placed to break his maiden status but may start short. Nadaam can improve with the run under his belt and may offer better value.
Recommended Bet: Nadaam each way.
Race 2 2:37pm Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1400m)
Expecting a genuine tempo in this with Bushranger Boy capable of taking up the running at his first try at the longer trip. Think there are 4 major winning chances to work around.
Bushranger Boy has been racing consistently and should find this a bit easier than recent maidens he has been contesting. The step up to 1400m is a bit of a query but it looks a good time to try it and it may suit him rolling along at a slower tempo. Hasn’t missed a place from 4 goes on his home track and see no reason he won’t keep that streak in tact. Looks the top pick.
Gee Gees Cool Gal has run 3rd at all 3 starts this prep and looks ready for the step up to 1400m. Finished alongside Bushranger Boy last start so she is obviously capable. Gate 10 looks the main obstacle to overcome for Victor Wong and may cause him to go further back than may be ideal to slot in. Should be finishing off well and expect her to be in the finish.
Angie Sparkles finished off very strongly at her first run in the state when close up behind Littlerayov at this track and trip. Ran home in the 3rd fastest last 200m sectional of the meeting after getting well out of her ground. Gate 1 might help Anthony Darmanin settle a little closer and gives her a chance of being within striking distance on the turn to run over the top of them. Live chance.
She’s Rosie ran a clear personal best last time when 2nd at big odds behind well regarded colt Geegees Gran Lodge. Draws much better for this run and could get a soft run just behind the leaders. A repeat of that effort will have her featuring in the finish of this.
Next best look to be Constant Velocity (placed twice at this track/trip, hasn’t raced for nearly 3 months so a query on fitness) and Hidden Forever (disappointing last time but previous effort was good – query at this trip?).
Verdict: Thought Bushranger Boy got his chance here to break through if he can run the trip but if the inside is looking shaky after the first race the other 3 are all capable of running over him.
Recommended Bet: Bushranger Boy to win.
Race 3 3:12pm Women in Tourism & Hospitality Class 1 Handicap (1400m)
Not much pressure up front in this with Duran likely to take up the running. Cameo Kiss and Ruby’s For Me look the only other runners capable of mixing it up early so don’t expect them to go at a great clip. Think the top 7 all have genuine claims but there appears to be two top hopes.
Shiralee is a Derby placegetter who was very solid first up in better company. Step up to 1400m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation. Was a late nomination so originally this may not have been the plan but it follows on nicely from his first up effort and he can get a soft run back on the inside from the good draw. His class should take him a long way and looks hard to beat.
Cameo Kiss was well backed at her Tasmanian debut and did the job very stylishly in what could prove to be a strong maiden. She looks even better suited up to this distance and her ability to race close to the speed should give her an advantage in this. Gets in light with the claim for Beau Mertens. Ticks a lot of boxes and looks hard to beat.
Blu To Be Sure was much better last time when up to this trip and with a clearer path in the straight he may have won. Showed a bit more early speed to sit closer to the speed last time which could help him find the right spot in this. Might not be suited if this becomes a sit and sprint but if he can get clear running to wind up he’s capable of being in the finish.
Lord Farquaad is racing well and looks suited to his first try at 1400m. Left with too much to do last time when running home for 5th as a well backed favourite, and was good before that when suited by track pattern to run 3rd at this track. Gate 1 should give him a nice smother but could prove tricky behind a soft tempo if he can’t find clear room. Another with a hope.
Duran was well beaten last time but can forgive that effort considering he was 3 and 4 wide outside the leaders. His run before that was very good when 2nd at this track and he looks suited rolling along on the speed at this distance. Can run well if the tempo pans out as expected.
Debauche was very good last time when returning to her home track when she produced the clear best late sectionals of the entire meeting. This distance range is a bit of an unknown, with her only try being a 1350m at Devonport where she didn’t quite finish off. A month between runs also puts a question mark on her fitness for her first try at 1400m and the wider draw won’t make finding cover easy. Has shown she’s a horse with ability but she has things against.
Crib Point has only won once in 22 starts but her past two runs have been good and tie in with a few of these. Will find this tougher than last time and has had plenty of chances but think she’ll be running on and has at least place claims.
Verdict: Think Shiralee and Cameo Kiss are the ones to work around here, with the mare likely to be the value.
Recommended Bet: Cameo Kiss each way.
Race 4 3:47pm Lenna of Hobart Class 2 Handicap (1200m)
No obvious leader here so this could be a tricky race to work out. Gee Gee Red Prince might elect to take it up from the inside gate, with Just Run and Kentucky Bound capable also. Think there are four main hopes.
Just Run is racing very well and it took a freakish effort from Ryan’s Daughter to beat him last time in this grade. Back to 1200m is a plus as is his ability to race near the lead in what looks a race without pressure. Expect him to be right in the finish again.
Gee Gee Red Prince showed plenty of ability in his first prep, highlighted by a win in open 2yo company at this track. Trialled very impressively in quick time to ready him for this. Siggy Carr takes the ride and may elect to use the inside gate to take up the running and control the speed. Always looked like making a really nice 3yo and think this is very suitable to show what he’s made of first up. Definite hope.
Follow My Dust returned as a 4yo with two good efforts in the winter where he probably should have won both. This trip is ideal off a freshen and he can be close enough in the run if they don’t go too hard. Outside gate might be a bit awkward to find cover but it allows him to hook out and get going when the pressure gets applied and that might be suitable. Suggest he has bigger plans in store down the line but capable first up.
Kentucky Bound resumed in good style with a strong win in a good Class 1 at Devonport and has placed at 1200m at his only try this track. Can race close to the speed which is a bonus here and while this is harder again he can win with the right run.
Next best look to be Qui Samer (going well but would appreciate cut out of the track) and Stella Etoile (has a big finish and slow tempo may actually suit her to be within striking distance on the bend).
Verdict: Just Run and Gee Gee Red Prince look most suited from their good draws to take advantage of a slow tempo and look hard to beat.
Recommended Bet: Try the 3yo Gee Gee Red Prince each way.
Race 5 4:18pm Lark Distillery Benchmark 62 Handicap (1000m)
Looks all sorts of speed in this with all runners used to racing in the first half of the field. Think That’s What We Do will take up the running with Teriki but the rest can be right on their hammer. Think there’s four main hopes here again and most runners have some query over their chances.
Gee Gees Jet trialled well to prepare for this and bolted in off a freshen at his second run. Gets in under the minimum for Tayla Patterson-Doyle who has won two trials on his back. He took the sit in his trial which might be a sign of things to come and if he can do so here he could get the total gun run just behind the fast tempo. Still has to prove himself outside of maiden grade but think this is pretty suitable for him to announce himself.
Teriki has his first run on the turf here following two good runs at Devonport back in June. Had plenty in hand when winning his maiden by a big space and looked up to the mark in a recent trial. Loaded with speed and looks promising, but there are the queries of first go on turf and likely early pressure to contend with. Obvious hope but there’s some risks there.
Beluga Miss ran well at her first two runs for the Scott Brunton stable at Devonport in the winter and resumes here without a trial. Form on turf in Victoria was good so racing on her new home track should be a bonus. Gate 1 looks perfect to trail a fast tempo but the main concern is the big weight of 59.5kgs. Unlike a few of these is proven in this grade and expect her to run well.
Moneypenny is a good 1000m horse having won 3 races at this distance. Majority of her form is in slightly easier grade and at her home track on the Tapeta so this is quite different to what we know of her. Well drawn and in light with Raquel Clark’s claim so she gets her chance but big query if she can bring her good form to a different track.
Only minor hopes to Let It Be Known (very good winter form, unproven on firm ground), That’s What We Do (fast and good first up but best form is on Tapeta) and Laurenstar (proven speed horse on this track but not in good form).
Verdict: Think Gee Gees Jet finds the right race to show what he can do fresh in a race where most runners have some queries on their chances.
Recommended Bet: Win bet on Gee Gees Jet.
Race 6 4:53pm Prime Thoroughbreds Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m)
Skip To The Moon and Clan Mcleod should take up the running here to ensure a decent tempo but won’t find too much pressure in doing so. Really tough race with the top 7 all having winning chances to varying degrees.
Chi Gong finished alongside Clan Mcleod last time when possibly unsuited by the steady tempo of the small field. Should be cherry ripe now 3rd up and draws well in gate 5. Ready to fire now and would be suited if the fence is starting to chop up. Definite hope.
Clan Mcleod backs up here after a good 3rd at Launceston on Wednesday night. Just continues to race well and ran 2nd at this track and trip two starts ago behind smart mare Perplexing. Should get a comfortable run near the speed and gets in well with claim for Raquel Clark. Any rain would be a bonus. One of many winning hopes.
Varian is a promising stayer who ran very well 2nd up when a somewhat unlucky 3rd at Launceston. Ready now for the mile and after Kyle Maskiell’s claim this will be the lightest weight he has carried for quite some time. Might not get quite as far back this time but would still appreciate a good tempo and if the fence is going off that would be a big bonus. One of the leading chances.
Milson was very unlucky last start when a close 3rd and protested unsuccessfully after encountering interference in the home straight. Finally gets to the mile for the first time in this state which should suit him down to the ground, and gets in under the minimum weight with the claim for Beau Mertens. This is a bit harder than what he has been contesting but he’s coming along nicely and looks ready for the challenge.
Niloufar ran well last time on his return to the mile and the addition of blinkers seemed to switch him on a bit better. Ran 3rd behind two promising horses and think that will bring him on nicely for this. Inside draw should help him settle a little closer in the run and if he can get the right run through he is yet another with a winning chance.
Skip To The Moon ran well in a weaker race last time when leading and sticking on strongly to only be beaten by a nose. Steps up to the mile here where he has won 2 races at this track and again looks to get a comfortable lead. Doesn’t win often and this grade just about sees her out but can’t underestimate the good run she’ll get and has at least place claims as a result.
Helluce returned to some form last time with a big finish to run a close up 5th in a race where backmarkers were disadvantaged. Looks ready for the mile and beat Ocean Star at this trip earlier in the year. Up in grade again and the wide gate might be a bit tricky to find a spot with cover. Think she might be outclassed at this stage of her career by other backmarkers in this race but wouldn’t be surprised to see her running on at the finish.
Verdict: Very open race and looks difficult to pick the winner. Varian, Chi Gong, Milson and Niloufar all look suited here and hard to split them. Don’t want to underestimate Clan Mcleod at all off the quick back up and were the track a bit softer she would appeal as the top pick.
Recommended Bet: Look for value with a win bet on Clan Mcleod.
Race 7 5:28pm THA & Hostplus Goodwood Handicap (1000m)
First feature lead up to the Newmarket and what a ripper of a small field. No shortage of speed with 6 of the 7 runners capable of racing hard on the speed if they desire. Think Hellova Street may take it up with Innocent Gamble coming across to sit 2nd but it’s going to be a very tactical race. Hot race!
Valiant Warrior returns to the state after a successful Victorian campaign which saw him win well at Moonee Valley. Has been ridden just off speed recently so think they will do the same here, but he did win over 1000m at this track last year when he showed brilliant sustained speed to lead all the way. However they ride him he looks an excellent chance to start his road to the Newmarket with a win here.
Hellova Street is the reigning Newmarket champ but has the big weight to prove it. First up last year he showed brilliant speed to win here at 1000m and then proved it was no fluke with his Newmarket win. Loves his home track and proved himself one of the state’s best sprinters during the last Summer carnival. The main query is the big weight but being a 1000m race it might not slow him up too much and he looks a great chance to let these newcomers know who’s boss.
Geegees Doublejay had a brilliant campaign in early 2015, winning 6 of 7 and running 3rd in the 3yo Classic in the other. Has won 8 from 10 on his home track and the fast tempo may allow him to sit just off speed, a racing pattern which has resulted in some of his best wins. The main concern with him is that Valiant Warrior has beaten him in all 3 meetings between the two of them, and drawing the outside gate might make it hard to turn the tables on him. Of course, that draw could turn out to be an advantage in the last race of the day, especially should any rain come through the afternoon. Live chance.
Geegees Goldengirl resumes after a long campaign during last year’s Summer carnival, after which she was voted the leading filly or mare for the season. Coming here without a trial looks ideal considering she is an Oaks winner, while she proved 3 starts back with a win at 1100m that she has the speed to compete in the sprints. Competed well against Valiant Warrior and Geegees Doublejay in the 3yo sprints but found them a little too good. In on the minimum weight which will help but feel they just have her measure at this trip. Her best hope is for the track to be favouring the runners out wide by this stage of the day as she’ll likely be last and coming hard down the middle.
Sh’bourne Spirit is a very smart mare who is expected to be ready to fire here with two trials under her belt. Has won 3 of 5 first up runs and was also a good winner at this track in the Lady Lynette Plate against the mares last prep. In well at the weights and has won at this trip. Think the really good ones in this just have her measure but she’s honest and will be in the race for a long way.
Verdict: Reckon the top 3 are the major winning hopes here. Valiant Warrior ticks all the boxes and looks the safest option in the race, while Hellova Street might get to silly odds if the market takes a stand against his big weight. Geegees Doublejay and Geegees Goldengirl look most advantaged if the fence has gone off late in the day.
Recommended Bet: Valiant Warrior to win.