The Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer of Racing Carnival continues this Friday in Hobart where is is Tasmanian Derby Day.
A quality field of stayers has been assembled for the $150,000 feature, while the eight-race card also features two other black-type races, including the Strutt Stakes and the Group 3 Kevin Sharkie Bow Mistress.
We’ve analysed the entire program and our bets can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 1:42pm – W L Shields Maiden (1200m)
Upset is bursting to win and, despite being a 17 start maiden, does look to have found a suitable race here.
The son of Reset has finished runner-up in all four of his starts this prep, most recently on Australia Day when he ran half-a-length to Two Dollar Tom over 1100m.
Back out to 1200m looks ideal for him now, and he should enjoy a lovely run in behind the speed under Sigrid Carr.
Race 2 – 2:17pm – Little Bee Education Care BM62 Handicap (1100m)
Lucky Bucky tends to do his best work fresh and he warrants plenty of respect with two wins and two placings to his name over the trip.
Debrief gets in well with the claim and was a clear maiden winner over this track and trip to begin his prep.
Gee Gee Bay Watch is fitter for two runs back and really hasn’t put a foot wrong this time in work with a win and a placing to his name. He likes rain-affected tracks and he’s missed the frame only twice from seven starts here at Hobart.
Race 3 – 2:53pm – Unique Doors & Windows Class 1 Handicap (1400m)
True Scotsman is untried over 1400m but does look ready for this trip based on the way he finished off at Launceston first-up over shorter behind two smart horses in Emily and Etosha.
Unvanquishable is having his second run back and has plenty of improvement to come after racing wide without cover for sixth first-up at Mornington.
The son of I Am Invincible will need some luck from the draw, but he is proven over this trip and his chances will only improve with rain about.
Gee Gee Can Win looks set to peak third-up and will prove tough to beat after bolting in to run a place a few weeks ago.
Taylor Johnstone’s claim has been put to good use and the pair should be working home late again from the low draw.
Race 4 – 3:34pm – Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m)
Bundle of Fun sticks to 2100m after finishing less-than a length third to Alpine Wolf in the Launceston Guineas a fortnight ago.
The filly by Written Tycoon was a clear winner at Warrnambool over the mile two back, and she’ll likely take some beating here in her first start for trainer Adam Trinder.
This really doesn’t look that much tougher, and if Jason Maskiell can find some cover early, the pair should be finishing over the top of most of these.
Race 5 – 4:10pm – Carbine Club 3YO Handicap (1100m)
This is a big step back not only in class, but also in distance for Turk Warrior.
The lightly-raced three-year-old was last seen running a clear second to Alpine Wolf in the Tasmanian Guineas last month over the mile after winning back-to-back starts at Launceston previously.
He clearly has a class edge ver most of his rivals here, and although the drop back to 1100m is sharp, his unblemished 3-0 record when racing fresh, as well as his outstanding record here at Hobart make him the one to beat.
Race 6 – 4:50pm – Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m)
Siding with the Maher and Eustace team and backing the lightly-raced Dodgy One in the feature.
This three-year-old son of Reliable Man was impressive on debut at Terang late last year when he ran a narrow runner-up over 1400m, and then quickly backed that up with an equally impressive performance at Kilmore over the mile.
He’s since gone on to win his maiden third-up at Donald over 2000m, a performance that suggested he is indeed a stayer.
The way he let down after settling towards the rear was impressive, and fitter for three runs back, he looks capable of handling the rise in grade.
Race 7 – 5:26pm – Group 3 Kevin Sharkie Bow Mistress (1200m)
This looks a very competitive edition of the Kevin Sharkie with a case to be made for a few.
Florescent Star brings consistent form in off a freshen-up and has to go on top for mine.
The Zoustar mare gave a good chase at The Valley a few weeks ago where she finished a clear second to In The Boat, while she was also a winner at Flemington three runs back over shorter.
This is a step up in grade, but she hasn’t missed a place in four starts over 1200m, and Dean Holland has options from the low draw.
Race 8 – 5:56pm – Ladbrokes It! BM68 Handicap (1600m)
We Deserve This is a progressive type out of the Scott Brunton yard that looks ready to win again in his fourth run back.
The son of Turffontein has run back-to-back placings in his last two starts and was also a clear winner over the mile here at Hobart last July.
The fact he’s won twice and placed twice here at Elwick Park is a big plus, and back from a freshen-up, he should be tough to beat given the rails run.