Taikomochi top fancy
G3 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup, $250,000, 2400m
Taikomochi (Snitzel) loves to roll along in or near the lead and his free-going style has served him well this preparation. Third in the G3 Summer Cup three runs back, he was then runner-up in the Listed January Cup before a dominant win in the Listed Australia Day Cup.
Taikomochi
In his current form, he looks sure to prove a handful again but won’t have it easy with the topweight Home By Midnight (Domesday) turning in two good recent efforts for consecutive runner-up finishes. As Five To Midnight, he was a New Zealand stakes winner and Group 1 performer.
Toorak Affair (Toorak Toff) has won five of his last six starts and ran 2200 metres out strongly last time out so the extra trip is unlikely to be a concern.
He has beaten Shady Hustle (Hussonet {USA}) and Glass Money (Glass Harmonium {Ire}) in recent runs and meets both of those runners better off in the handicap. Morton’s Fork (Ad Valorem {USA}) is an honest toiler and is a distance winner so a place chance at worst.
Beautiful chance
G3 Kevin Sharkie Bow Mistress, $150,000, 1200m
Beauty (Smart Missile) turned in a tidy performance to score at Moonee Valley last time out and if she can get a little luck from an awkward gate she can continue her winning way. With four wins from 12 starts she is a progressive type.
Beauty
Platinum Angel (Snitzel) is back from a break and has a handy first-up record while Gee Gee Double Dee (Wordsmith) beat Our Long Sali (Needs Further) last time they met and both look strong chances again.
I Remember You (Written Tycoon) is a genuine type and it’s not hard to see her playing a hand in the finish again.
Twitchy Frank (Choisir) wasn’t far away when fourth most recently at Flemington and the weight-for-age scale favours her. The 3-year-old Deroche (Needs Further) has won her last three on the bounce and has drawn ideally to give her older rivals a shake.
Strong pairing
Listed The Mills New Norfolk Thomas Lyons, $100,000, 1400m
Scott Brunton holds a potent hand in this with the last-start winners Helova Street (Helike {USA}) and Mandela Effect (Turffontein) representing him. The latter beat his stablemate the last time they met so he may again have a slight edge.
Mandela Effect
I’m Wesley (I An Invincible) is a tough competitor and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t make his presence felt and The Master Speed (Street Sense {USA}) is in good touch and is a multiple winner at this trip.
Blaze Forth (Court Command) was below his best last time out, but he beat Mandela Effect in a stakes race in December so a return to that sort of form would put him in the mix.
Star to shine
Listed Crown Plaza Hobart Strutt S., $100,000 2100m
Still A Star (Toronado {Ire}) is a quality filly with consecutive stakes wins to her credit and every chance she will complete a hat-trick here.
Mystical Pursuit (Needs Further) looks the obvious danger following her runaway victory in the 1000 Guineas while Durability (All Too Hard) has been racing consistently in Victoria and a decent shot at a slice of black type.
Zoulah (Zoustar) is lightly-tried and is coming off a strong performance to win over a mile at Sale in her first appearance for six months. It would be no surprise to see her go to another level in this and another visitor with prospects is Sacred Valley (Fastnet Rock) following her success in an Ararat novice.
Zoulah
