3 minute read
The busy start to 2025 Tasmanian thoroughbred racing continues in Hobart on Friday afternoon, where an eight-race program features the Listed Ladbrokes Tasmanian Guineas.
The track raced well here a week ago on a windy day, and a similar surface is expected with the rail moving from +7m back to +2m.
R1 Alexandra Plate, 1000m
Eight of the ten acceptors clashed in the first 2yo race of the season at this track and trip 19-days ago. Zany Girl (3) won that race impressively. Has a slightly awkward gate to navigate but clearly is the one to beat. She let down like a nice horse. Celestial Glow (6) had the outside gate in that race and settled at the rear. Can improve sharply from barrier one. GEEGEES MISSILE (4) was a well beaten third but stuck to her task and maps to get her chance again. BELLA CHINKARA (5) was no closer than 4wide throughout and stayed on strongly. PRINCE OF KHATUN (2) is the pick of the first starters. She did everything right winning her trial and looks set to run well.
Staking Strategy: Zany Girl's debut win was very good but the $1.40 that is on offer doesn't interest. The debutant Prince Of Khatun trialled nicely and maps for a good run. 1 unit each-way PRINCE OF KHATUN (2)
R2 Kevin Sharkie 3yo & Upwards Maiden, 1100mF
Gazza's Spirit (1) is close to a win and is racing consistently with 4 placings at his past 5 runs. Wide gate the only knock. Light Force (3) had good support resuming but after failing to jump cleanly he was straight out the back and never threatened. At his only other start he went down narrowly. THE TRINE (5) the pick of the first starters. He was slow out in his trial but did finish off okay and there's not much depth to this race. RAPIDS AHEAD (4) settled at the rear at Devonport and was never in contention. Didn't mind his effort at Launceston the start prior and is a likely improver. I'VE BEEN DREAMING (7) was good first up for her new stable and strips fitter but am wary of the form given that they ran slow time.
Staking Strategy: Gazza's Spirit the one to beat but don't want to take an odds-on quote given where he's drawn. Forgive Rapids Ahead run at Devonport. The run prior was good enough to be competitive here. 1 unit each-way RAPIDS AHEAD (4)
R3 Campbell Town Hotel Class 5 Handicap, 1100m
Press For Boom (4) resumed here 19-days ago and suffered defeat for the first time in her short career. She ran well, doing her best work late in a race where the leader dictated terms. Anyways Roxie (6) faces her toughest test but has met every challenge this preparation. She's a tough mare and faced the breeze last time 3wide without cover. She ran a very similar time to Jaguar Stone on Goodwood day in November. JAGUAR STONE (1) took it up to our best sprinters in that race and was only narrowly beaten. Blinkers go back on. MUSCLE UP (2) the other key chance.
Staking Strategy: Thought there was very little between the 3 top rated horses. Siding with Press For Boom and Jaguars Stone at the better odds. 1 unit to win PRESS FOR BOOM (4) and JAGUAR STONE (1)
R4 Mingari + Co Class 1 Handicap, 1100m
Highland Duel (2) won his maiden in good style at only his second start. The one he beat then came out and won with authority at Longford on New Years Day. The wide gate the obvious knock with plenty of speed drawn underneath him. Zuni (5) first up run was a complete forgive. She hardly saw daylight. The beaten margin was very unfair. GEEGEES LEGACY (7) was a forgive run last start. He beat the smart Silver Dagger here 4 starts back. Has the right draw to be very competitive. TRANSOM (9) will find this tougher than last start but has upside. GEEGEE STRAWBERRY (6) can wind up strongly when she gets tempo to suit. She's better suited here rather than at Launceston. GEEGEESCHASER (8) will make her own luck either leading or sitting handy to the speed.
Staking Strategy: Highland Duel had a bit in reserve winning his maiden and looks a promising type. 2 units to win HIGHLAND DUEL (2)
R5 Ladbrokes Racing Club Benchmark 72 Handicap, 1600m
Rubbleonthedouble's (5) last start win in Benchmark 60 grade was well deserved on the back of several runs without much luck. This is harder but he takes the claim again and gets in very well. Kings On Queens (6) has a great chance. She was easily the best closer behind Fast Thinker in similar grade at her latest. JUST A NEEDS (2) is always around the mark but hasn't won for around 15 months. Back to Hobart is a plus. STEEL MIST (7) best form is competitive but he is a hard horse to catch. He can be tough to get past if he can find the front. GEEGEES HISWORD (4) has good ability but has failed to make an impact this preparation and would need to improve. Check betting.
Staking Strategy: Rubbleonthedubble looks extremely well-placed after the claim. Great chance to go back-to-back. Kings on Queen the clear threat. 2 units to win RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (5) and KINGS ON QUEENS (6)
R6 Ladbrokes Tasmanian Guineas, 1600m
Azonto's (7) winning margin at Launceston in the 3yo trophy was only a half-length but the manner in which she won was decisive. It's hard to make an argument for those that finished behind her to reverse the result. Magnaprime (1) and ZOETE'S ROCK (3) were the best of the beaten brigade- in that order – but neither had excuses. DON'T GIVE UP (5) brings different form lines and could be the biggest threat to the favourite. He looks very promising. That was a strong class 3 race he took on last start. He led and held on well. GARCON D'ESPOIR (2) has solid 1st 4 claims but can't see him winning. MOORLANDS MISS (10) next best.
Staking Strategy: Keen on Azonto. Just needs a clear crack at them and she should be too good. 7 units to win AZONTO (7)
R7 Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers Benchmark 64 Handicap Fillies & Mares, 1400m
Fighting For Gold (7) won a moderate class 1 at Devonport but she's had a good preparation and might on with it. Agnete (6) ran enormous first-up. It looks like she's in for a very good campaign. ZEWINNA (2) returned in good order, finding the line well behind the in-form Anyways Roxie. She found some good form around here last preparation in better races than this. GLOBAL AWARENESS (5) has the ability to go close in this if she's right but that is the big query with her. CO ACCUSED (9) didn't seem to come up last preparation. Dry tracks might be the catalyst for improvement this time around?
Staking Strategy: Zewinna and Agnette have a good record at Hobart and both ran extremely well first up. Should go close. 1 unit to win ZEWINNA (2) and AGNETE (6)
R8 Winning Edge Presentations Class 3, 1400m
It won't be easy for Rigoletto (3) to round them up from back in the field but he's in such good form he's a key player again. He won in this grade two-starts ago then at his latest he didn't have a lot of luck behind Fast Thinker. Can go close despite this being a non-claiming race. There's sure to be bigger targets in store for Ashfall (5) but he's likely to be very competitive at his first local run. He has trialled up nicely in the lead-up and was only 2 lengths from the winner first up last preparation. DIOS (6) has been ultra consistent and meets Rigoletto on far better terms for a narrow defeat the start prior so logically must be included. CREATIVE LICENCE (1) is usually thereabouts and was held-up at a crucial stage last run. Maps for every possible. TURF PUZZLE (9) worked early and faded last start. She dug deep to win the start prior in class 1 grade. APRIL'S DANCE (10) was disappointing here last week in an easier race and would have to improve significantly.
Staking Strategy: Low confidence race. Ashfall is a hard horse to assess. He trialled well and could win without surprising although will surely improve off this . Creative Licence had excuses last start and looks a bit of overs. 1 unit each-way CREATIVE LICENCE (1)
