The Devonport Racing Club hosts their final meeting of the 2021/22 season on Sunday with an eight-race program.
It's another early start on the all weather track with the first race scheduled for 11:10.
R1 Birdcage Tavern Maiden, 1009m
Anyone who watched the trial of SHIM (12) would have been waiting for her to pop up on race day. She ran good time when leading throughout and has a positive jockey booking with Siggy Carr aboard the 2YO filly. NEEDS REMEMBERING (3) ran some good races last campaign and is perhaps a touch unlucky to still be a maiden. He covered ground when finishing behind PROPHET EYES (4) in their recent trial and gets blinkers back on. Prophet Eyes drove through to lead in that trial, but Chelsea Baker has a nightmare draw to overcome. LACERATE (2) was ridden a bit colder last time but is fairly exposed now as the campaign goes on. He's another that's drawn off the track. GAUDI GIRL (8) started in Victoria with Shane Nichols and is now with Glenn Stevenson after a short King Island stint. She was held together in a trial that was around five lengths slower than Shim on the same day.
R2 Kevin Sharkie Maiden, 1650m
EIGHT MARGARITAS (9) went back to last in Launceston and was forced to make a wide searching run in a race where the winner led. The form from that race held up well last Sunday and she hasn't missed a place in five previous runs on her home track. ARCUCCI (6) settled well back in the same race and was a spent force after copping a check on the home turn. POP A HONDA (2) flashed up the rail to just miss over 1350m here last time with little between LISKAMM (11), EGYPTIAN STRYKER (8) and GEE GEE SPEEDY SKY (15) further down the track. Liskamm was the heavily backed favourite in that race and was under pressure a long way out so the extra distance may suit. THEBOLT (5) trialled well leading into a first-up run where he settled a clear last. He jumps from 1150m to the mile and draws wide. PAGE (14) was ok last Sunday and ok could be good enough for a maiden that looks very weak on paper. CYCLONE LOUIE (7) is up sharply in trip but may be worth keeping safe at her second start for in-form trainer Sarah Cotton.
R3 Sheba Sheetmetal Class 1 Hcp, 1150m
DAWN EAGLE (7) ran a good race at the T&D two starts ago before running into the smart Fairy Magic in a race where the quinella spaced the rest. NEEDS TO BELONG (4) hasn't delivered what he promised early in his career but is still only lightly raced. His trial form can be franked earlier in the day. MON CHEVAL (1) was sent out the heavily backed odds on favourite here last time but weakened in the straight after setting a hot pace in front. TILTHEREWARSYOU (9) covered ground there and was perhaps a bit unlucky while SCHAUFFELE (2) came from near the rear to pass some tiring ones late. TWO DOLLAR TOM (5) hasn't had a lot go right this campaign and now gets the blinkers back on. The inside draw wasn't ideal for CHOSEN EAGLE (6) in Launceston, eventually shifting way up the track to find better going. APOLLO ROCKET (8) didn't fire last campaign and the jury is out on where she's at. She's another who's trial win can be proven earlier. GEE GEES SO TRUE (3) has run into some handy types in his brief career and maps to stalk the speed from the inside draw.
R4 Thai Imperial Bm62 Hcp, 1150m
GINNY ANN (6) shifted in under riding in the home straight of her Tassie debut, costing herself victory. She was strong late so the extra distance should suit as it will for TROJAN STORM (4) who was unleashing his typically strong finish there. He meets the mare 1.5kg better at the weights. GEE GEES CRICKET (5) also comes through that race and may be able to find the lead here at a more preferable distance. GEE GEE BAY WATCH (7) raced wide without cover here last time so his beaten effort was brave. GEE GEES BUZZ (3) always had the drop on those in front of him at the T&D last start and duly saluted. The three that finished behind him there are in the prior race. IRIS WEST (1) is the highest rated horse in the race by a big margin but has yet to run a placing on the synthetic in seven previous attempts.
R5 Great Northern Class 1 Hcp, 1350m
MISIRLOU (6) was pounced on by punters when markets opened last time and despite racing outside a strong tempo, she was too good. The wide draw will need a good steer from Codi Jordan if she's to go back-to-back. ALPINE AVIATOR (1) was a beaten favourite at the T&D last time but didn't shirk the task after setting a strong speed in front. He has a 4kg swing on SILENT DREAMER (7) who had the drop on him in that race. SPIRITED TOFF (3) also comes via the same formline where he appeared to have his chance. He's having his 11th start in a campaign where his lone win came first-up. OLYMPIC HONOUR (2) races best in Devonport as we saw last time where he nearly won at a big price. He's had his runs spaced. WANE'S QUEST (4) comes out of a Hobart race that held up well last Sunday. RECOMPENSA (10) had little hope with how the track raced on that program. After two good soft track runs, she's on the quick back-up. ISAFJORDUR (5) covered ground last time and gets winkers for the first time. Siggy Carr has picked up KLATTEN (8) from the Ken & Kasey Keys stable and she'll be hoping there is plenty of improvement from her two trial appearances.
R6 Ladbrokes Fast Withdrawals Bm68 Hcp, 1350m
NEED TO BE UNIQUE (1) resumes after a month off looking to build on an impressive start to his career that's brought four wins from nine starts. He maps for a gun run from the inside draw. LESNAR (6) came from last to run second first-up, finishing just ahead of stablemate UBRIACO (2) who also settled well back in the field. 1350m will better suit the pair of them. CHEEKY ONE (3), BARJEEL (8), POLITICAL (4) and BANCA NIP (5) all met in a recent trial, finishing in that order with little between them. Cheeky One was a force here last campaign and raced wide in a small field when she resumed. Political is an ex-Kris Lees trained horse that's never won below a mile. Barjeel and Banca Nip will be doing their best work late. RISING LIGHT (9) was competitive in open company last campaign and is still a horse on the rise. Both WEEKEND WHISKY (7) and ASHMANIA (10) blew their respective starts when they returned so it isn't hard to make excuses if you were keen on them there.
R7 Tasmanian Horse Transport Bm62 Hcp, 1880m
A lot of this field come through the mile race won by Skilendra a fortnight ago. First home from that race was SO I'M DREAMING (7) who was heavily backed before enjoying a good run on a moderate tempo with RISING HSIANG (2). There's no reason that can't happen again but at the time of writing there is no jockey named for So I'm Dreaming, and with only 12 available for the meeting, there will be scratchings from this race. Cameron Thompson-trained trio PROSECUTOR (6), NEEDAREIN (8) and SWEETSOP (10) were all around midfield in that race and you could make a case for them all with luck in running. GEEGEES ROCK OPERA (4) looks better placed at 1880m at this stage of her campaign. SQUARE DONUT (5) enjoyed a good run behind the speed and is on trial at the trip. DARGO (3) has had four weeks between runs but did trial earlier in the month. He has an excellent T&D record. First and third from the last start of PORT BERRY (11) have since won so she has some hope despite a poor overall strike rate. Tricky race where really anything could win.
R8 Goodstone Group Bm68 Hcp, 1009m
VETLANDA (6) went the wrong way in betting off a let up and ran to the market drift. She will appreciate getting some weight off her back and despite having never raced in Devonport previously, Barry Campbell's horses have been airborne here recently. REBEL FACTOR (5) rounded some smart types up in a recent trial. 1009m is likely short of her best but she looks to have a touch of class. SHARMA RAMA (3) failed her toughest test last time but given the winner won by over three lengths, there wasn't a heap between the rest. Winkers go on her for a drop in class along with ARTUSO (4) who settled much further back last time than he had all campaign. He maps for a good run behind a hot speed if he jumps well. TIDAL (8) led throughout in easier class at the T&D last time but that form can be pushed in race 4. BOTHERED (2) led and weakened in Hobart and should have taken benefit from that. Her best would likely be winning this, but recent performances indicate she may not be that horse anymore.
