Racing
Staking Strategy: Hobart - Sunday, 25th May 2025
Thoroughbred racing is in Hobart on Sunday for a strong nine-race program.
The rail is at +9m, a shift from +5m for the program here a fortnight ago. There is rain forecast for the weekend, which could impact how the track plays.
R1 Kevin Sharkie Maiden, 1200m
Zurich (4) was up against it from his wide gate returning from a very long break. His effort was much better than it looks. Maps better here and clearly will be better for it. TASSIE POWER (2) could run a race on debut. This isn't a tough maiden to win. Didn't mind his trial. He was doing his best work late and draws for a good run. EXPOSTAR (1) failed badly on the synthetic first up. Might be worth another chance. He ran okay here at his only start in a tougher race than this. TAKEAWAY (9) was travelling okay when she lost the rider here resuming. She was never going to win but would've finished in the top half-dozen or so. TIGERS ON TOP (10) has been thereabouts of late against similar company but faces a big task from the gate. ORISKANY (6) has been placed a couple of times on the mainland but profiles as a horse suited over more ground. Check betting.Staking Strategy: A very tough maiden to kick off proceedings. Zurich showed enough first up off a long layoff. Has a better gate today and should be thereabouts. 1 unit to win ZURICH (4)
R2 Winning Edge Presentations Maiden/class 1, 2100m
High Tail Eagle (1) won at big odds at this track last start. If he turns up in the same form he'll go close again. This is an easier assignment. He just needs to stretch his good form out to the 2100m. Would expect ALPINE TROUT (5) will go forward and lead these. He's been placed once from 4 tries at this trip. This is start number sixteen for him. He just got rolled last start. UNNERVING (4) has a poor record overall and is hard to follow but he can bob up every now and then. SHAMUS EAGLE (3) and RAGING WATERS (6) should both be suited out in trip and are capable of running into the placings.Staking Strategy: High Tail Eagle improved lengths with a tongue tie being applied last start and won a handy race. He should be able to take care of these. 4 units to win HIGH TAIL EAGLE (1)
R3 Ladbrokes Form Genius Maiden, 1600m
Lord Hear Us (4) showed nice improvement at her second start and the winner of that race looks a horse that is going places. Draws well again and the 1600m looks perfect for him. MANHATTAN NIGHTS (5) has been close on a number of occasions and gets another chance in a very thin race. He's been up for sometime so won't lack anything in fitness. KING ZEUS (3) was solid resuming at Devonport having his first local start. Now backs up a week later and can only be improved off that run. SURPRISE SECRET (10) and TOORAK TREASURE (11) the best of the rest.Staking Strategy: Lord Hear Us is the up and comer and looks awfully hard to beat third run in. Manhattan Night's the clear threat. 2 units to win LORD HEAR US (4)
R4 The Three Sister's Benchmark 60 Handicap, 1600m
Fiorente De Legend (12) got too far out her ground at her latest, giving the leader/winner around 12 lengths at the 600m. She did a good job to finish within a length and her last 600 was easily the quickest for the race. That run should have brought her on nicely for the step up to 1600 third run back. MATEUS (7) won an easier race than this at his latest over 2150m. He's been freshened for this and back in trip suits. DESIGNER DREAMER (11) won one of these races three starts back and subsequent runs have been solid. Blinkers go back on. I'M KEEFE (13) has a poor winning strike rate but wasn't far away this track and trip last start in a deeper race. OPALSON (5) won well over this trip two starts back and then didn't get room at a crucial stage last time. EARENDEL (2) is third run back and does need to find a few lengths. Gets blinkers on for the first time and is a big watch.Staking Strategy: Fiorente De Legend is working up to another win and should be primed third up. Last start winner Mateus could go well fresh and back in trip. 2 units to win FIORENTE DE LEGEND (12). 1 unit to win MATEUS (7)
R5 Boucher Support Servies Class 1 Handicap, 1200m
Snowdonia (1) will take beating returning from a spell. She was very competitive in tougher races over the Summer Carnival. Was hardly tested winning her trial. FIRST LINE (4) logically has a chance. She knocked off Snowdonia at Hobart at the end of last year. Was plain last start but is better suited back in trip. GEEGEE STRAWBERRY (10) has good ability but her racing pattern is a negative. Needs luck in the big field as she will most likely concede a start again. Provided she's not too far back she's a blow-out chance. OBVIOUSLY GOOD (8) fell well short of market expectations second up. He looked to race flat. Can bounce back. His return run was very good. THE LAST HURRAH (3) got into the placings last start behind the upset winner Scarletti. That was off a 35-day break so expect improvement. TRANSOM (6) resumes and has changed stables since last preparation. Won a weak maiden at the back end of last year but has trialled okay. Respect any market confidence.Staking Strategy: First Line can run well fresh and back in trip. Geegee Strawberry will need luck but has a case resuming. Snowdonia is well credentialled but has a big weight and the inside gate this time of the day may not be the place to be. 2 units to win FIRST LINE (4). 1 unit to win GEEGEE STRAWBERRY (10)
R6 Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers Benchmark 68 Handicap, 1200m
Alpine Thunder (3) returns from a break. He continued to improve last time in and went out on a high winning in a high rating Class 5 race. Genuine soft ground would be the only slight query with him. ETOSHA (2) will go straight to the front as per usual and is always a threat in these races. This is a touch easier than her latest. FURNEAUX (5) and NAVAL ANTHEM (6) got into the placings first up behind Flying Billie and both strip fitter and map well. MISS KEEDS (9) is unbeaten this preparation but she is yet to win beyond 1000m. STARDARMUS (4) next best.Staking Strategy: Alpine Thunder is smart but could potentially be vulnerable first up in what will be a genuine run race. Conversely, Etosha is rock hard fit and never runs poorly around here. 2 units to win ETOSHA (2)
R7 Aviso Tas Pink Cup Class 4, 1430m
Just A Needs (5) rattled home behind the in-form Captain Cam at his latest over 1600m and was only beaten narrowly. Does drop back to the 1400m but a genuine tempo can offset that with MYOCARDIUM (6) lining up. SH'BOURNE MIDNIGHT (3) never runs poorly in these races and will be tough to beat again. HURRICANE KETUT (1) had little go right last start when posted wide throughout. All things considered he did a good job to finish within 2 lengths of the winner. ROYAL DISPATCH (9) met with defeat for the first time last start. This is a deeper race but gets some nice weight relief and has plenty of upside. GLOBAL AWARENESS (10) did have her chance last start leading in a slowly run race but was disappointing. The run prior was solid behind Sh'bourne Midnight.Staking Strategy: Just A Needs looks very well placed third run back and will get tempo and conditions to suit. 3 units each way to JUST A NEEDS (5)
R8 Up Cups Open Handicap, 2400m
Ashfall (2) continues to race well. He's been a good pick-up for the stable. He sat outside the speed here last start and was simply too good. Great hope again and handles soft ground. ZULU ANGEL (1) the logical danger. Was just even to the line last start but will clearly benefit stepping out to this trip. A Moonee Valley placing over 2500m three starts back reads well. HAPPY CLAN (3) gets in very well after the claim and looks the only other chance. POP A HONDA (6) and SOUTHERN WIND (7) next best.Staking Strategy: Cannot find a negative with Ashfall. He's fit and reliable and handles the soft ground. 2 units to win ASHFALL (2)
R9 Mingari + Co 0 - 62 Rating, 1100m
Wednesday's Boss (5) goes on top in the last but it's a tough finish to the day and many have a case. She's racing well and has drawn out but at this time of the day it's likely to be advantageous. BAYBOUGG (1) didn't have a lot of luck first up after blowing the start. She's a winner this track and trip and with the likelihood of rain affected ground she'll be hard to beat. ARAYA SUNSHINE (8) got too far back last time and will find this easier. PERIWINKLE (4) didn't fire last start but will appreciate dropping back to the 1100m. NATIVE CLAN (3) wouldn't shock returning from a break. LA VIRAGO (10) is competitive on her best form but her last couple have been below par and would need to improve.Staking Strategy: Native Clan resumes and gets a handy claim and she races best here. The wide gate should be a plus this time of day. Wednesdays Boss will be hitting the line hard. 2 units to win NATIVE CLAN (3) and WEDNESDAY'S BOSS (5)
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