Racing
Staking Strategy: Hobart - Sunday, 18th January 2026
Thoroughbred racing is in Hobart on Sunday afternoon for the second feature program of the week.
The eight-race card contains the $50,000 Lady Lynette & Blackflash and the $100,000 Summer Cup.
The rail is at +4m with a fine weather forecast.
R1 Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers Maiden, 1100m
MAGNOLIA SKY (13) just missed a placing on debut after being ridden on the speed with no respite. Takes plenty of improvement out of that run and draws to box seat. LAWRENNY BOYS (4) took a clear step forward at his second run for the new yard, leading and only being claimed late. The winner has since franked the form. GEEGEES MERCEDES (11) endured a tough run last start, posted wide without cover yet still stuck on gamely. OUTBUSH (2) resumes after a lengthy first preparation where he showed glimpses of talent. Not the easiest horse to trust, but anything close to his best puts him right in the finish. CARDIOSPHERE (1) makes his own luck on speed, is rock-hard fit and capable of giving a sight. ALFARINO (3) needs to lift but did attract market support on debut and now gets blinkers added.
R2 Salters Hire Maiden, 1600m
ALPINE HONEY (1) started favourite at Longford and was beaten a fair margin but the run is best ignored. His previous effort here when he led for a long way is a much better guide. SEDITIOUS AWARD (9) produced her trademark pattern at Launceston getting well back early—roughly a dozen lengths back at the 800m—before working into the race late. WHITE STAR SUZIE (10) ran into the minor money on debut and looks well suited over more ground as does SAVAGE RIVER (8) who keeps improving. NORTHERN CHILD (7) didn't finish off when leading last time and maybe better served ridden quietly.
R3 Winning Edge Presentations Class 4, 1400m
GLOBAL AWARENESS (7) should be nearing peak fitness third-up and looks ready to strike. He chased home a dominant winner last start and finished alongside THE TRINE (5), who ran well again but had every chance. COAL RIVER (2) is a mare on the rise and is highly versatile, she's won at all 3 tracks. QUEEN OF MALWA (8) makes a sharp class rise from a Class 1 to Class 4 but there was genuine merit in her last-start win. NAVARRE RIVER (3) covered ground and kept finding when fresh off a 50‑day break. Strips fitter now and the rise to 1400m more to his liking. RUBBLE 'N' FUDD (1) has been battling to find best form and faces a tough assignment here with 59kg and a wide draw.
R4 Kevin Sharkie Lady Lynette, 1100m
SANNIYA (1) delivered exactly what the market expected in the Carpet Charge at Devonport, strolling home by seven lengths in a win where the margin could've been greater. Hobart is the new variable but clearly the one they all have to beat. ZANY GIRL (6) resumes after a Melbourne campaign where despite remaining winless, she was competitive against deeper opposition. There wasn't a lot between her and Sanniya in their 2yo season and although the latter has clearly reached new heights, Zany Girl still brings genuine talent. PRESS FOR BOOM (3) has the local edge, boasting multiple wins at this venue and a strike‑rate comparable to Sanniya. POPILITA (5) is chasing a third straight win at this track and clearly thriving but now faces a significant rise in grade.
R5 Ladbrokes Odds Surge Bm60 Handicap, 1600m
MONTEZULU (5) has hit his straps since rising to 1600m, and his narrow defeat last week at Launceston came after losing momentum at a key stage. His effort two starts back here was very good. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (1) is racing consistently and his last couple have been in tougher company, so the class drop a clear plus. The return to 1600m also beneficial. The query is the draw, but with even luck looks well placed. TASSIE POWER (6) was brave in defeat last start when taken on a long way from home. He kept finding under pressure, dug deep in the straight, and only overhauled late. BAYSIDE (3) is racing well enough and looks suited out in trip but has drawn poorly. GINGERSON (4) has been ultra consistent but struggling to land another win. Maps well again.
R6 Geard Family Blackflash, 1200m
SWIFT FORCE (5) made a big impression on debut, winning with plenty in hand and giving the clear impression there was a stack more under the bonnet. His trial since, matching motors with Geegees Missile, was sharp. GEEGEES MISSILE (1) presents fresh and has been in ripping form this campaign. She didn't quite measure up in the 3YO Cup but that was a genuinely hot race and she was rock solid. PRINCE OF KHATUN (2) is dead-set flying this preparation and doing absolutely nothing wrong, but he runs into a pair who look well-above average. OZONICA (3) remains unbeaten but both victories came on the synthetic and this represents a clear step up in class. AGADOO (7) turned in a strong effort on Devonport Cup Day in the maiden taken out by Gladding, hitting the line with purpose. Worth including in first‑4s.
R7 Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers Summer Cup, 2200m
BANK MAUR (1) is building nicely into his prep and showed grit last start at weight‑for‑age, where he led and toughed it out despite being caught wide early. The 2200m is a slight query, but if he relaxes early he'll be right in the finish. ZIRYAB (5) represents the stable that dominated this race last year, and he brings a very similar profile and rating to that winner. His Pakenham Cup run was excellent, leading and boxing on to finish just behind the placegetters in a $300K contest. That form should stack up in spades in a race like this. WINEGLASS BAY (2) potentially the pick of the locals. Loves this track and is unbeaten from three starts here. The tight turning Longford circuit didn't suit last start. ASVA (3) is hard to knock chasing a hat‑trick of wins and already boasts an easy win at this track two starts back. In the zone and maps to get his chance again. BLONDE STAR (11) is going well. She did too much early in the Devonport Cup and paid the price late. The rise in trip and class are queries, but she maps for a much softer run this time. KALIUWAA FALLS (3) was placed in this race last year and arrives in similar form.
R8 Ladbrokes Big Bets Class 2 Hcp, 1000m
GEEGEESCHASER (10) draws to lead and back to the 1000 should suit. She's been around the money all preparation. Takes catching.RAWABI (1) is returning from a break and ran well at every run last prep. Still a class 1 horse but almost half the field fall into that category and its not a deep race. SOUTHERN AURORAS (5) a beaten odds-on favourite last start when failed to get away cleanly but still ran well. Romped home the start prior. Drops back to the 1000m.GEEGEES LEGACY (4) brings winning form, tricky gate though from the 1000m start. FIRST LINE (6) is capable of better. Awful first up but went too bad to be true so suspect she had an issue. APRIL'S DANCE (2) pulled up with atrial fibrillation last run before a break and has been given time. Capable of winning if she's right. SWINGING IT (9) good return run behind Popolita but tougher here from the gate.
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