Hobart, Saturday 28 February

Race 1

MR BONDI (1) draws the pole and looks set to get his chance to lead throughout. He enjoyed a relatively soft lead last start over the mile when beaten as favourite, but his prior runs would have him well in the market here. WAZZA (8) secures a favourable trailing draw and with clear running late or the use of the sprint lane, he should get his opportunity. CUZZY BRO (6) produced an improved performance last time when finishing third in good time, though he did enjoy a nice trip and couldn’t quite get the job done. The draw is awkward, but he can’t be overlooked. NEON (5) drops back from a solid third in stronger company and while he may need a few things to fall into place, he is capable with the right run. The remainder of the field lack recent winning or placing form, so the finish may well be dominated by these leading hopes.

Selections MR BONDI (1), WAZZA (8), CUZZY BRO (6), NEON (5)

Staking Strategy: WAZZA (8) looks to get a nice sit behind the leader and have every chance up the sprint lane. 2 unit win – WAZZA (8)

Race 2

ULTIMACTION (3) looks extremely hard to beat returning to a mobile. She should press forward soon after the start and find the front, where she will take no end of catching. Her last start can be forgiven after beginning poorly from the stand as a short-priced favourite, and she is expected to bounce back sharply. ZARA TINDALL (1) draws to get a soft run and has been competitive through the Country Cups over summer before striking little luck at her past couple. If she brings her best, she shapes as the logical danger. STEPPING STONES (6) is clearly the highest-class mare in the field and drops considerably in grade following midfield efforts in the Devonport and Hobart Cups. She may have to work in the small field, but her class could see her prevail. NOVA BAXTER (5) has returned to form since coming back from the mainland and has been well placed and driven of late; she may well track (6) throughout and could capitalise if there is genuine pressure. JILLIBY MENDOZA (2) has returned to form but faces a sterner task against these mares, while SPOOKY GIRL (4) rises in class.

Selections ULTIMACTION (3), STEPPING STONES (6), ZARA TINDALL (1), NOVA BAXTER (5)

Staking Strategy: ULTIMACTION (3) should be finding the front not long after the start and I cant see her getting beaten if she recovered from her last start mishap. 5 unit win – ULTIMACTION (3)

Race 3

KING BART (12) was a very good second from back in the field first up for the new stable and with a nice run into the race late, he could take some holding out. MILLYCENT (11) probably should have won two of her past three starts and being over the middle distance should help her work into the race from the back row. The same can be said for OHANA BY THE SEA (13), who is first up in the state but brings solid mainland placing form which generally measures up well in this grade. FANCY ANOTHER (8) is knocking on the door to break through but strikes another awkward draw. Her chances would improve if ONLY GLORY (1) is able to hold a forward position after an improved effort last start when leading the three-wide line. The remainder of the field have had multiple opportunities to break their maiden status in what shapes as another typically even contest.

Selections KING BART (12), MILLYCENT (11), OHANA BY THE SEA (13), FANCY ANOTHER (8)

Staking Strategy: I think KING BART (12) and MILLYCENT (11) should be clear favourites in this race and have the most upside of these in this field, so happy to play both. 2 unit win – KING BART (12) & MILLYCENT(11)

Race 4

WEE GEORGIE WOOD (1) is a three-year-old stepping up against older horses but looks the likely leader again and will take running down if able to control the tempo again. HARBOUR SPRINGS (3) was an impressive winner in fast time over the mile last start and should enjoy a favourable run from the draw; a repeat of that performance would see her going close. ANGELSHAVTIME (8) can push through early to hold the leader’s back, which would give her every opportunity to feature late. MONEYS NO ISSUE (10) and ASHANTE QUEEN (6) are both well graded in this company and will be relying on genuine tempo up front to allow them to charge home. MUZZAME MATE (5), SOUTHERN LUCK (9) and GOBSMACKED (12) look the best of the remaining chances and can figure with the right runs in transit.

Selections WEE GEORGIE WOOD (1), HARBOUR SPRINGS (3), ANGELSHAVTIME (8), MONEYS NO ISSUE (10)

Staking Strategy: Expect WEE GEORGIE WOOD (1) to lead and run them along at a solid tempo, so ANGELSHAVTIME (8) looks the each-way play of the race. 1 unit each-way – ANGELSHAVTIME (8)

Race 5

A stand start over 2579 metres where tactics and safe beginnings will be crucial. IMPERIAL LAZ (8) has been super consistent of late and with a clean getaway will no doubt look the winner at some stage. MIGHTY JOLT (7) is a well-performed newcomer to the state, having competed against strong opposition in Queensland. He trialled nicely during the week after racing only seven days earlier, and provided he has handled the trip south, his class could prove decisive. ROCKS ROY (4) was again running on strongly into a placing last start, as is his pattern, and from the front line here should be right in the finish. IAMAHUNTER (2) rises in grade but with a soft run on speed could represent value. GOODTIME OSCAR (5) and SAPPHIRE GAMBLER (6) both boast excellent stand-start records and will be looking to begin cleanly and press forward despite their wider positions.

Selections IMPERIAL LAZ (8), MIGHTY JOLT (7), ROCKS ROY (4), IAMAHUNTER (2)

Staking Strategy: MIGHTY JOLT (7) brings strong Queensland form, which should be more than competitive here and has a good stand start record, while IMPERIAL LAZ (8) has been super consistent of late and looks the main danger. 3 unit win – MIGHTY JOLT (7) & 1 unit win – IMPERIAL LAZ (8)

Race 6

The barrier draw has added intrigue to what many may have expected, as TRIEDTOTELLYA (12) comes up with the outside back row draw, and while he has comfortably handled similar opposition in recent months, he will need to be at his best to win from there. However there appears to be genuine speed engaged over the longer trip, which should suit, with the Conor Cook-trained trio of MAEBEE (2), MAGNETIC TERROR (5) and GLENLEDI ELVIS (6) all possessing good gate speed and likely to press forward to settle handy. MAEBEE (2) has been excellent since joining the stable and although slightly disappointing in last week’s heat, he is expected to bounce back and looks the stable’s leading chance. CELEBRITY ROYAL (7) was well driven into second in the first heat and continues to improve, but faces a tricky draw. Driver tactics will be key, particularly if several inside runners push forward early, which could shape the race significantly over the staying journey. THE SHALLOWS (11) has been racing well without much luck in recent starts but showed his true ability when afforded a soft run in transit to score comfortably in last week’s heat. DALTON SHARD (9) can also be in the finish if he produces his best New Zealand form. PARDOE PLUGGA (1) and HORATIO SPECULO (8) both draw to receive economical pegs runs and could be sneaky chances late with clear running at the right time.

Selections TRIEDTOTELLYA (12), THE SHALLOWS (11), DALTON SHARD (9), MAEBEE (2)

Staking Strategy: Obviously, no value with the favourite. However, there looks to be good pressure on early, which should allow THE SHALLOWS (11) to be running home well late to finish on the podium. 2 unit place – THE SHALLOWS (11)

Race 7

Expecting a genuinely run mile where MY BEAUTIFUL LIFE (2) should press forward and set a solid tempo. She finally broke through last start and while this is a rise in grade, a repeat of that performance would see her take catching. OUR WILLOW (4) has been very consistent of late and back to the mile from a favourable draw should see her on speed and in the finish. ALOT LIKE PENDLES (5) was a dominant trial winner last week and has his first start in the state here. He does possess gate speed when asked, so expect him to roll forward early. BELIEVEITOR NOT (12) visits from the Emma Stewart stable and despite the draw, her class demands respect, though she will need to be on her best behaviour given past manners issues. JUST LIKE A DREAM (11) chases a hat-trick after taking time to break through and will be suited by strong tempo, as will SWEET DIXIE (10) who will also rely on pressure up front.

Selections BELIEVEITOR NOT (12), MY BEAUTIFUL LIFE (2), OUR WILLOW (4), ALOT LIKE PENDLES (5)

Staking Strategy: Team Stewart are always hard to beat when they arrive in the state. However, happy to have a small play on MY BEAUTIFUL LIFE (2), who could run sub 1.57 over the short trip and take some catching. 1 unit win – MY BEAUTIFUL LIFE (2)

Race 8

ENJOY LIFE (2) is unbeaten in three starts and draws to land on speed over the mile. He still looks untapped and may even get the opportunity to be driven with cover if there is strong tempo early, which would suit him perfectly. LOUGLE (3) has been impressive since arriving in the state. He broke on the final bend as a short-priced favourite last week, but if he brings his best manners and form, he can give the favourite a serious test, as he did when beaten only a head a few starts ago. STRANDED LOLLIPOP (5) resumes from a short let-up and has solid overall form. From the awkward draw he will need a touch of luck, but with the right run can be in the finish. One of these leading trio looks the likely winner, while PREPARATION (1) may give a cheeky sight from the pole.

Selections ENJOY LIFE (2), LOUGLE (3), STRANDED LOLLIPOP (5), PREPARATION (1)

Staking Strategy: The two favourites look the obvious chances in this field, but at the price, MY WAY (7) looks a small place option and expect him to run hard off the gate and sit on speed, hopefully with cover. 1 unit place – MY WAY (7)

Race 9

KEAYANG GALLIANO (1) looks well suited here back to the mile and again draws the pole courtesy of her lifetime earnings. She has good gate speed, though stablemate SIR NIPPA (3) also possesses early dash, making the initial stages intriguing. Either way, there doesn’t appear to be strong mid-race tempo, so both shape as the ones to beat. MISTA EAGLE (8) secures favourable pegs draw over the mile and will be storming home with any luck in running. It would not surprise to see any of the others pop up and win, but it may take one to inject pressure in the first 200 metres to open the race up for others — potentially ALWAYS AURORA (2) from the nice draw who is racing well.

Selections KEAYANG GALLIANO, SIR NIPPA (3), MISTA EAGLE (8), ALWAYS AURORA (2)

Staking Strategy: MISTA EAGLE (8) gets his perfect pegs run over the short distance and would be surprised if he didn't finish in the top three, so he looks a logical each-way chance. 1 unit win & 2 unit place – MISTA EAGLE (8)