Racing
Staking Strategy: Hobart - Sunday, 28th December 2025
Two Listed events headline a big 10-race card in Hobart on Sunday, the Ladbrokes Tasmanian Guineas and Kevin Sharkie The Inevitable Stakes.
A sunny 24-degree forecast for race day should see an ideal racing surface presented, and the rail is in the +8m position.
R1 Winning Edge Presentations Bm68 Hcp, 1400m
Skin In The Game (2) has returned in great order winning 2 from 2 and will only get better as he steps out in trip. RESTRICTED ACCESS (5) continues to deliver this preparation and remains undefeated this track and distance. FLYING BILLIE (4) had some excuses last start at Launceston and should be ready now third run back. NIGHT PEOPLE (3) meets Skin In The Game 3.5 kg better for a narrow defeat resuming but did enjoy a much better run in transit.
Staking Strategy: Skin In The Game has the 1400m in his favour and can make it 3 wins on the bounce despite the big impost. 3 units to win SKIN IN THE GAME (2).
R2 Olive Tree Catering Maiden, 1200m
Verhoeven (8) was sent out an odds-on favourite last time but never threatened. Can improve back in trip and has been freshened for this. ARGYLL DIAMOND (9) has been very consistent of late without winning and put a big margin on third at latest. SH'BOURNE RISING (13) has an awkward gate to overcome but was a nice run on debut behind a handy winner. SEDNA (12) was well beaten resuming but did have a tough run and capable of better. TALL TALES (14) trialled soundly, market watch on debut.
Staking Strategy: Been with Verhoeven several times and keep finding excuses for him but in fairness has been stiff not to have won one by now. 3 units to win VERHOEVEN (8).
R3 Life Member Mr Bob Howlett 3yo Maiden, 1100m
Jenni The Cat (9) looks set to run well resuming. Hobart trial win was sharp. She ran some nice races in her first preparation. COLONEL BOGEY (2) has started as favourite every run bar one and is yet to strike a blow. Got a long way back last time in an on-pace dominated race and never got warm, blinkers now get added for the first time. GEEGEES MERCEDES (6) wasn't far away this track and trip last time but needs luck from an awkward gate. The unraced ALFARINO (1), JEDD'S JET (8) and MAGNOLIA SKY (10) all trialled okay here recently.
Staking Strategy: Jenni The Cat ran some nice races in her first preparation and her trial win was good. Colonel Bogey might go better with the blinkers but he has been a costly horse. 1 unit to win JENNI THE CAT (9).
R4 Ladbrokes Mega Multi Bm68 Hcp, 1100m
Popilita (4) had the perfect trail last time and was far too good in a similar race. Gets in well after the claim and looks set to go close again. ALPINE THUNDER (3) had no peace in the lead in that race and was entitled to fade late. SWEET LUCIFER (2) wasn't suited by the hectic pace resuming and got too far out of his ground, extra 100m suits. OHSHE'STROUBLE (5) was well beaten but rock-solid in much harder race at Devonport. Soft winner in class 2 company three runs back. NICCO THE GREEK (1) has a very good first-up record and commands respect. EASTCOAST MISS (6) resumes with a stable change and would be competitive on best form.
Staking Strategy: Popolita was a comfortable winner last start but is well found. Ohshestrouble has good recent form, concedes a start but will get tempo to suit. 1 unit to win OHSHE'STROUBLE (5).
R5 Kevin Sharkie C1 Hcp, 1200m
Southern Auroras (4) was backed as if unbeatable second-up and despite drawing extremely wide won her maiden with authority. MEGALITA (2) similarly is coming off a maiden win after not much luck on debut and has plenty of upside. OBVIOUSLY GOOD (3) resumes, trialled nicely, and ran very well first run back last preparation in arguably a harder race than this. THE PIRATE QUEEN (9) has drawn perfectly and although outclassed was far from disgraced in the 3yo Cup. GEEGEES DOWNPOUR (1) resumes, races best here, rate him amongst the chances in spite of his unremarkable first-up record.
Staking Strategy: Southern Auroras was a resounding maiden winner and looks capable of taking the next step. 3 units to win SOUTHERN AURORAS (4).
R6 Ladbrokes Tasmanian Guineas, 1600m
This race looms as a showdown between Mazzini and Crack The Shutters. Mazzini (2) continues to raise the bar this preparation and will take a power of beating again. Has been dominant from the front at his past couple including a 5-length margin at Devonport against older horses. CRACK THE SHUTTERS (6) couldn't match him at Launceston over 1400m but has the home track advantage and with the likelihood of a more genuine tempo than last time gets her chance to turn the tables. TEMPT THE GODS (1) and CAELIUS (3) are last start mainland winners but that form doesn't look good enough to trouble the top 2. WOLF JUNIOR (4) could sneak into the top 4.
Staking Strategy: Mazzini is flying but might be subject to more pressure than last couple of outings. Crack The Shutters gets last crack and will be hard to hold out. 3 units to win CRACK THE SHUTTERS (6).
R7 Ladbrokes Spring Hosted Pots Bm64 Hcp, 1600m
Fiorente De Legend (8) has been ultra-consistent this prep, narrowly beaten in a deceptive finish last time at same track and same trip, gets her chance to make amends. HALEN (3) continues to race well and maps for the right run, loomed to win last start but just died on his run, blinkers come off. DAYTONA DIVA (5) didn't measure up in the 3yo Trophy over 1400m after sitting handy and fading from the turn but this is easier and remains unbeaten at this venue. MONTEZULU (6) both runs since a break have been good and the extra trip is in his favour. JOHNNIE PINCH (2) has been thereabouts all prep and should be nearing peak fitness fifth run in.
Staking Strategy: Montezulu might need another run but has returned in good order and at the big odds is worth an each-way play. 1 unit each-way MONTEZULU (6).
R8 The Wakeful Club Brighton Cup, 2020m
Don't Give Up (7) faces his toughest test but is racing well and showing good staying promise, very fit and hard to run down. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (9) wasn't beaten far by Don't Give It Up at first try at the 2000m and will improve off that effort. FLOSSING (8) was good here 2 runs back, Launceston run was forgivable with big weight on firm track, each-way claims. GOLDEN PROPHET (5) has been running on strongly and close to his best now fourth run in and gets blinkers on again. ASVA (2) has been solid both runs back and the extra trip will be in his favour along with ASHY BOY (1) and ZULU ANGEL (3). All 3 had too much to do at Devonport but finished off okay in the race won by Sushi Express.
Staking Strategy: Top-rated Don't Give Up is a horse on the up and might just measure up in harder race. Flossing is worth including, hit the line strongly here 2 runs back, extra trip suits. 2 units to win DON'T GIVE UP (7) and 1 unit to win FLOSSING (8).
R9 Kevin Sharkie The Inevitable Stakes, 1600m
Durazzo (3) won only narrowly at Launceston but there was greater merit to the win than the margin would suggest, after being held up on turn and having to switch course. JUST CRUISIN' (7) is knocking on the door and proved his Newmarket run was no fluke with a game effort behind Durazzo in the Conquering. FIRST ACCUSED (2) showed nice improvement second up and should be further improved getting out to the 1600m. KALIUWAA FALLS (4) found the line soundly first up and with tempo against but likely needs another run. ASHFALL (6) getting fitter now third run back and extra trip is favourable, first 4 contender.
Staking Strategy: Durazzo overcame trouble to win last start and the one to beat again. 4 units to win DURAZZO (3).
R10 Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers C3 Hcp, 1200m
HUBUBBAJAHN (8) had the race run to suit but won quite impressively first up. Tackles a deeper race but stays down in the weights and drawn to get every chance. BLAMEITONTHEBOOGIE (1) sprinted far too well at Launceston and ran good time. Beaten as an odds-on favourite at only start this track but did strike genuine soft ground that day. BLOOMTIME (4) returns from a break and now in a new stable. Best goes close. First appearance at Hobart but trialled okay here a couple of weeks ago. GEE GEES ME BOY (6) drops nicely in weight and rock-solid behind Skin In The Game last outing but has an awkward gate to overcome. GEEGEE STRAWBERRY (9) will find this tough but performs well second up. NAVARRE RIVER (3) next best 7-weeks fresh and back in distance.
Staking Strategy: Was a good return win by Hububbajahn 23-days ago and the runner-up has won well since. Takes on a deeper race but gets in light and drawn barrier one, the box seat looks hers. 1 unit to win HUBUBBAJAHN (8).
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