3 minute read

Hobartville Stakes Day at Rosehill on Saturday boasts an impressive eight race program where there are a number of value plays on offer.

The Hobartville Stakes and Silver Slipper Stakes spearhead proceedings while supporting races on the program also have plenty of appeal from a wagering perspective.

The races are competitive and making a watertight case for any of the favourites is tough so searching for value at this stage is looking the way to go.

We’ll stay away from a best of the day as such and instead go with a couple of genuine each way players.

In racebook order, Inside Job can continue to hold his form in Race 1, the Irresistible Pools and Spas Benchmark 90 Handicap (1100m).

The gelding is yet to run a bad race this preparation and off a let up, lines up in a race where only a small number of runners appear genuinely suited.

Inside Job was last seen finishing second to stablemate Tahitian Black in a head-bobber at Randwick over 1000m four weeks ago.

Form out of that race has since held up through the winner who last start was only narrowly beaten by Tales Of Grimm.

Tahitian Black and Inside Job meet again with the latter on Saturday enjoying a 2kg weight swing from when they last clashed.

Brodie Loy rides again and the pair are yet to finish out of the money in five starts together.

Currently the third elect in betting behind the resuming Kencella and stablemate Tahitian Black, Inside Job can upstage them and do so at an each way quote.

The feature race of the day is the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m).

It is an impressive field and on his bold Caulfield Guineas victory, Shooting To Win gets the nod on best numbers and is currently favourite for the event.

The first up performance of Scissor Kick was excellent and a strong case can be made for the colt having a greater sense of timing about him than many of his nearest rivals, namely Shooting To Win and Hallowed Crown.

Scissor Kick has the benefit of race experience on his side after a first up success in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).

While the performance was below his best returned when a brave second in the Golden Rose, he should derive improvement from the run.

The likes of Hallowed Crown and Shooting To Win are each resuming over 1400m and while there is no denying their class, fitness must always be a query.

Shooting To Win has an upcoming preparation which will take him on a path through the Randwick Guineas, George Ryder Stakes and onto the Doncaster fourth run from a spell.

Compared to these serious Group 1 targets, the Hobartville Stakes looks a stepping stone toward them.

With a Listed success and Group 3 success to Scissor Kick’s name, connections will be hunting for a Group 2 and there doesn’t appear a greater opportunity than this Saturday.

If each way odds for the colt hold up on the day, they are well worth taking.

Sydney Specials – February 21

Each Way Play #1: R1; #4 Inside Job @ $6.00