Punters have a fine weather forecast and a cracking 10-race card to look forward to.
The rail moves to +6m after being in the true on Friday.
R1 Travel On Crown Wollongong Benchmark 76 Handicap, 1100m
Tsunami Sam (2) won 2/2 last preparation before resuming off a 105-day break back in December and bumping into one of the state's most promising sprinters. He presents here fresh and gives weight to all of his rivals but is the one to beat. The danger is Ole Ola (3) who is returning off a 44-day break and has a great record at this venue. Verbano (4) has her own share of talent but has shown a preference for softer going. Intisar (6) ran okay first-up but this looks too tough.
R2 Mingari + Co Benchmark 64 Handicap, 2100m
Chi Mazel (1) is back to his right grade after being thrown into the deep-end last time. His record here is very good and the rider has been on board for 3 of his 4 wins. Kay Oh Ell (6) was given every possible behind Conumdrum but was no match at all. She's been runner up 4 of her last 5 so expect her to be around the money again. You know what to get with Captain Morgan (5) and he'll be running on late as per usual. Afridi (8) has had support at at his last 2 runs but he was pretty plain in both. A return to Hobart may spark some improvement. AFRICAN THUNDER (2) has been battling in better company than what he tackles today but I'm not convinced he's going well enough. Clifton Danseur (3) showed some improvement last start when stepping up in trip to the 2100m.
R3 Winning Edge Presentations Maiden, 1200m
HUBUBBAJAHN (13) trialled up very nicely in Hobart a couple of weeks back. The winner of that trial finished a close-up third on Derby Day. Captain Taz (3) was solid in the market on debut and ran well enough. He showed good early speed from a wide gate to sit outside the leader but was just found wanting late. Them's The Breaks (14) was well in the market resuming but after being fractious in the gates at the start she was slow out, got well back and was never in contention. If she's on her best behaviour she's a good hope. Captain Cam (2) found one a bit too speedy when resuming but there was plenty of merit in the performance. He's in the mix provided he can handle the trip down south. Can't fault the consistency of Rohzhae (5) having been placed 9-times at his last 10-starts. ADA WAY (1) will need a lot to go right from a horror gate. Miss Chica Mala (11) next best.
R4 Kevin Sharkie Maiden, 1400m
Loud Mouth (3) boxed on well at his first run back from a spell after having to do some work in the early stages of the race from a wide gate. Blinkers go back on and will strip fitter. Mateus (5) looked a touch unlucky here two starts ago before a forgivable effort at Launceston finishing midfield on a Soft 7 track. Loves The Trip (12) was terrific late behind the favourite at her latest and was only just warming up, big tick out to the 1400m. Tosen Fame (8) is fourth-up and cannot draw a gate this prep. She covered ground last start, a complete forgive run, the start prior had plenty of merit.
R5 Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers Strutt Stakes, 2100m
Wings Of Song (1) has had the measure of the locals since arriving in the state and both of her wins have been decisive. She strikes much tougher opposition here. Very Sewreel (2) is a last start winner at the Valley and will look to dictate terms out in front. She's unproven at the trip but the stable is well-versed in bringing down the right horses. Girls Girls Girls (7) was a beaten favourite last time behind the eventual Tassie Derby winner Bold Soul. That was a messy race at Flemington that day. She was very good at Caulfield the run prior. That threesome look to have a stranglehold on the race. Next best Ella Dulcie (4) and Overflow Miss (6).
Make A Decision (8) resumes with 2 trials under her belt and has a good record around here. MAKE A DECISION (4) was rock-solid behind Hellot last time who has since won again. Princess Matoaka (13) arrived late to win narrowly at Launceston but does have a tough gate to overcome. Lord Whitegate (6) steps out to his right trip third-up. Co Accused (12) went for a break following back-to-back wins over 1600m and 2100m respectively. First-up over this trip suits. Our Little Ted (3) had an issue last start. He tends to mix his form but with the right run can entertain him as a first-4 chance.
R7 The Jbm Group Maiden/class 1, 1600m
Luvher (7) took off mid stages last start over the mile at Launceston and that proved to be a winning move in the end. That was her first time up in trip so likely to she's have come on from that. Ralph The Rocket (5), LI'L HAIL MARY (6) and Opalson (9) weren't far away in that same race. Li'l Hail Mary was a complete forgive run from barrier 13, now she gets the inside gate. Ralph The Rocket finished just behind the placegetters but was a touch one-paced. Gear changes have been made and a senior rider has been engaged. Opalson worked home okay again from the rear. Hobart will suit him better. Puma (2) is having a consistent prep and finally got the maiden out of the way on Longford Cup Day. Prewingo (10) has fitness on his side and is in the mix for exotics.
R8 Magic Millions Thomas Lyons Stakes, 1400m
It was a nightmare watch for the backers of Geegees Gemstone (11) in the Ladbrokes Stakes won by Bello Beau. He never got a crack at them and went to the line under double wraps. He didn't fire at his only attempt over this track/distance but notably pulled up with a slow recovery that occasion. There was only one length separating Turk Warrior (1), Bello Beau (2), First Accused (3) and Indispensable (4) in the Ladbrokes Stakes, underlining the evenness of that quartet. Alpine Wolf (6) was runner-up to The Inevitable in this race last year. He was eased out of the race in the Devonport Cup last outing after the rider felt he had gone amiss. He presents here with winkers and a tongue tie going on.
R9 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup, 2400m
Alhambra Lad (2) has to be the starting point after winning the Summer Cup in a canter 21-days ago. He's likely to start a warm favourite and deservedly so. A number of the beaten brigade from that race that are fronting up again but it's hard to see any of them turning the tables. The Jason Warren-trained Grand Pierro (5) looms as the main danger. He finished alongside Alhambra Lad at Caulfield 2-starts back and without a lot of luck either. Craig Williams does the steering.Aurora's Symphony (1) is a two-time winner of the Launceston Cup and tackles the Hobart Cup for the first time in his career. The big weight is a serious challenge. Wyclif (6) is a first-4 player but doesn't win out of turn, having won only once from 17 starts in the past 2-years. Travelling Gigolo (9) and Ashy Boy (4) look to be the best of the locals. Travelling Gigolo was runner-up in the Cup last year and should be nearing peak fitness now third-up. He's a must for the exotics, as is Ashy Boy.
R10 Beach Club Class 2 Handicap, 1200m
Starnote (8) was an all the way winner in Hobart when she returned in early December and had the race within her keeping a long way from home. She's drawn to lead again and will take a power of beating. Gallant Warriors (4) ran a huge race at Launceston last start after getting too far back. The gate is no good again which is the concern. Did You Decide (1) has been on the sidelines for almost a year. He looked in good order at the trials winning his heat under minimal riding. Navy Street (2) hit the line strongly behind Hellot last time but that was over 1430m and he has to be some query back in trip. As does Furneaux (3) who faded badly last start but it was a race dominated by those that settled back in the field. The run prior behind Cartoon Graveyard is good form. Bellasario (6) resumes, and provided they can run-on she's a knockout chance.
