The last month of the 2023/24 thoroughbred season kicks off with a nine-race card in Hobart on Sunday.
The rail returns to the true position, which sees fresh ground on the inside after the rail was +14m for the meeting a fortnight ago.
The weekend weather forecast is cool but with minimal rain, so expect a track in the soft range.
R1 Kevin Sharkie 3yo Maiden, 1100m
Youraway (11) has been around the money in all three runs on the mainland and strikes a very winnable race here fourth-up off a 28-day break. WANNABE ZIGGY (9) was well in the market on debut when only narrowly beaten and draws to be in the finish again. NEED TO THINK (4) resumes, yet to place at previous first-up runs but hasn't been far away in both. The form around her trials reads well. WEDNESDAY'S BOSS (10) showed some ability in her first-prep, returns with blinkers off and is a recent trial winner albeit in moderate time. Gate is a negative and ideally needs more ground. RARE ORO (5) next best, was poor last start, previous form was okay.
R2 Ladbrokes Owners Incentive 2yo Maiden, 1100m
The first starter Silver Dagger (7) could not have been any more impressive at the trials, winning her latest under a stranglehold. The other newcomer FORTYFOUR MAGNUM (5) looks the main danger. No public trials to reference but happy to back the stable in and would be surprised if she doesn't run extremely well. Of those with exposed form GEEGEES LEGACY (2) is the pick of them. He had excuses last time and is rarely far away having been runner-up on four occasions. SURPRISE SECRET (11) comes from a winning family but likely to see the best of her once she gets out over more ground. SKY EAGLE (8) was beaten a long way on debut but trialled like she might be an improver this time around.
R3 Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers Maiden, 1200m
There was plenty of merit in both runs of The Last Hurrah (14) in her first preparation. She's resumes off a good grounding at the trials and whilst the gate is no spoil she 's the one to beat. PUZZLE MISS (12) has race fitness on her side and although well beaten into second last time the form should stack up. LOVE NEST (10) comes through the same race and hit the line strongly albeit at start 25. GEE GEE DARE (8) had been thereabouts but didn't cope getting out in trip last start and can improve back to the 1200m. CROWNED DECEIVER (7) had plenty of backing on resumption but failed to fire at her first local start. Needs to improve off that, stepping out slightly in trip may be beneficial. MISTER MANIHI (2) has started as favourite 3 times in his past 4 outings but has failed to deliver and would need to improve.
R4 Tasmanian Bloodstock Maiden, 1600m
Tough race, can make a case for many. Rippen Gold (4), Scarletti (5) and Al Maximus (1) come through the race won by Fiorente De Legend a fortnight ago. The winner looks a handy type. Rippen Gold gets every possible from barrier one and should be peaking fourth-up. The latter two ran well resuming and will surely strip fitter. ALL ABOUT LUNA (9) is working up to a win, hitting the line nicely at both starts this time around. RAFAEL'S RAID (3) was heavily supported in same grade last time and struck trouble approaching the turn and should've finished closer. OXY BOLT (2) had an issue last time when favourite but it's hard to have any confidence in him. NIGHTCLUBBING (13) was good here last time over 2100m now drops significantly back in trip but is worth including in exotics as is ZULU FIELDS (14).
R5 "it's Why We Race" Class 1 Handicap, 1390m
Johnnie Pinch (1) held his own in better company last preparation. Ideally, he's better suited over more ground but has trialled like he's in good order first-up from a break. BOUNTY BAY (9) did enough resuming at Devonport and he's a winner second-up last preparation. IBUTHO (4) was competitive in stronger grade last start and drew the inside that day which wasn't a plus. ROW ROW POWER (3) is racing like he needs this extra trip now. DIABLO's (2) only win to date came on a heavy 10 track at Ballarat around 14 months ago. He's third-up today off a long layoff, check the betting with him.
R6 Morey's Sports & Music Tours Class 1 Handicap, 1390m
Restricted Access (2) was a big winner second-up for his new stable and ran good time for the day. Has to cope with the rise in trip but gave every indication that he'll handle it. SH'BOURNE MIDNIGHT (1) was an impressive maiden winner on debut and ran around four lengths faster than the winner of the other heat on the same day FIORENTE DE LEGEND (5). ROWING POWER (3) broke through last start and clearly relished stepping out in distance. The saddle shifted second-up on GEE GEES ME BOY (4). First-up she ran very well. Next best VANITY STAR (7) who worked home strongly in class 2 grade behind Dayan Star which is good form.
R7 Ladbroke It! Bm64 Handicap, 1200m
A very competitive race. Perola (10) returned in good order recently pulling good ground late behind the unbeaten Press For Boom. The sparingly raced MAKE A DECISION (7) was excellent late in the same race. Both are suited out to the 1200m. VERBANO (3) returned in good style over this trip finishing just behind the in-form Sweet Lucifer and drops slightly in grade. There's sure to be improvement in FURNEAUX (5) who dug in deep to win narrowly first-up. STARDARMUS (1) keeps raising the bar, having won his past two. LIGHT OF ROSE (9) was placed at Ballarat at her latest. The winner has won again since. GOLDEN MEADOW (11) isn't without claims either.
R8 Kevin Sharkie Open Handicap, 1200m
Kaliuwaa Falls (4) has thrived since arriving in the state winning 5 from 7 starts last preparation and he's unbeaten around here from 4 tries. He's a huge chance again returning off a break. TURK WARRIOR (2) and ALPINE WOLF (3) did their best work late behind the prolific winner in Seydoux at Devonport. They need another win. It's been over 12 months for both. D'ORO STAR (8) resumes, he barely put a foot wrong last prep and should be right in the thick of things. JUST A NEEDS (10) is a better than average mare whose form tapered off at the end of last prep. She's had a good break since and can let down strongly at the end of her races. ARUMA (9) was only fair resuming, needs to improve.
R9 Winning Edge Presentations Bm68 Handicap, 2100m
Last start winner Hellot (3) had the run of the race this track/distance and gets a similar set-up here so must respect again. PAGE (7) had too much to do from the 600 and she warmed up nicely late behind Hellot. SUGOI LEGEND (8) wasn't far away in the same race and is rock-hard fit. Not everything went to plan for YARRA MASTER (1) either and he can improve sharply. The last start and heavily backed winner SUSHI EXPRESS (2) dictated terms and was afforded every hope, the 2100m is a complete unknown. MIGHTYMAXI (6) out-slogged his rivals at Devonport in easier company than what he tackles here.
