Devonport Cup - Final Field & Barriers

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A capacity field of fourteen will thunder around the tight-turning Devonport circuit for this year's running of the Devonport Cup on Wednesday afternoon.

Life To The Full is the topweight and will carry 58kg.

Trained by David and Scott Brunton, Life To The Full won the 2008 Hobart Guineas (1600m) before enjoying a stint at Stawell with Terry and Karina O'Sullivan where the gelding won four races in South Australia including the $70,000 Listed Balaklava Cup (1600m).

Life To The Full

Since returning to Tasmania, Life To The Full won the lucrative $80,000 Listed Tasmanian Newmarket first-up this preparation.

Brendon McCoull will ride Life To The Full on Wednesday while Tasmanian jockeys Craig Newitt and Daniel Ganderton will ride at the meeting.

Free form will be made available for all of Wednesday's meetings, including Devonport, in the coming hours.

Devonport (Wednesday)

Race 7 - $120,000 Total Care Devonport Cup (1800m), No Claims

# Horse Trainer Jockey  Br. Kg
1 LIFE TO THE FULL David & Scott Brunton Brendon McCoull  11 58
2 DREAM PEDLAR Troy Blacker Stephen Maskiell  17 55.5
3 WITH DECORUM John Blacker Craig Newitt  7 53.5
4 REGAL CHIVAS Michael Trinder Dean Yendall  4 53
5 RICH BOY Paul Jones Dianne Parish  9 53
6 MILOCHELLO Jason Clifford Daniel Ganderton (a)  16 53
7 MYSTERY QUEST Troy Blacker Ronan Keogh (a)  18 53
8 BUTZIE John Blacker Lee Smith  14 53
9 BORUGINO Michael Trinder Lincoln Coffey  10 53
10 BEVEN HEIGHTS George Blacker David Pires  3 53
11 MAYWYNS QUEST Graeme Mcculloch Christine Puls  2 53
12 WEST END Leanne Gaffney Yasuhiro Nishitani (a)  5 53
13 ROYAL WORK John Luttrell Edward Brennen  1 53
14 SPEEDY SKY Elesha Spillane Brendan Fenech  6 53
Emergencies
15 MR ISAAC Gary White Chris Pace (a)  13 53
16 MAYBE FRENCH Mark Everett Brendan Fenech  8 53
17 HIMSTEDT John Luttrell   12 53
18 LIBBYS GIRL John Luttrell   15 53

Picture - Jenny Barnes

Excuse My French Wins Tasmanian Guineas

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Victorian three-year-old Excuse My French improved his credentials with an impressive victory in the $80,000 Listed Betfair Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) for three-year-olds at Launceston on Sunday.

Beginning slowly from barrier six, Excuse My French was restrained to third last on settling down by Aaron Spiteri.

The Andrew Payne trained galloper was set alight down the side at the 650m mark and was the widest runner rounding the home bend with Ebbing also making his run from towards the tail of the field.

After balancing up in the latter half of the straight, Excuse My French ($2.90) rattled home to defeat Geegees Blackflash ($1.80 fav) by a half neck with Ebbing ($2.80) a further head away in third.

Excuse My French won last start at Moonee Valley over 2040m under lights and has now taken his record to three wins from 12 starts with prizemoney over $142,000.

White Earns Tasmanian Hall of Fame Induction

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Popular Tasmanian trainer Gary White became the fifth trainer to be inducted into the Tasmanian Racing Hall of Fame last Friday night.

The awards ceremony which showcases the state’s top racing achievers has regularly acknowledged White's training prowess including the past two Horse of the Year awards, presented to the late Stuyvesant.

Known in Tasmania as the 'Cups King' for his exploits in the states staying feature races, White's bookshelf is littered with golden cups thanks to champion horses such as Scruples, Free Beer, L'espion, Lord Baracus and Rhumb Line.

However it is in recent years, with the late weight for age champion Stuyvesant and Tempest Tost, who earlier in the season became the first Tasmanian trained horse to win a million dollar race, that White has earned his place amongst Tasmania’s finest ever trainers.

"I'm overwhelmed", an unusually speechless White re-iterated during his induction speech.

Surrounded by his supporters, both clients and family, White praised the owners and trainers who were willing to take large financial risks to showcase our talent interstate.

"The best way to show the betting public how good the Tasmanian product can be is by taking on the better horses and races interstate and then beating them when they come to our home town", said White adamantly.

"Actions speak louder than words and with horses such as Conquering, Tempest Tost, Colonel Parker, Wealthy Lad, Speedy Sky and Rhumb Line all proving that we can be more than competitive the short term future looks good", White went on to say.

However the notable exception on the evening was acknowledgment of White's star three year old filly Tempest Tost, who took all before her in not only winning a million dollar race but also finishing a remarkable fourth at her first Group One appearance.

"The rules are the rules", said White referring to the requirement of Horse of the Year nominations to have raced in Tasmania at least once in the season.

The Horse of the Year title went to Conquering for a stellar season which included a Group Two placing in Victoria and a sweep of Tasmania's Weight for Age events.

"Conquering is a much deserved winner and has been a great horse for his connections for a number of seasons now".

But the award itself didn't seem to be the main issue according to White.

"A lot of people have said they were disappointed that she (Tempest Tost) wasn't showcased on the night, but I guess that comes down to the night’s production".

"I certainly think that if we are going to encourage our industry participants to promote and showcase Tasmanian racing across the country, perhaps we should be highlighting their achievements on our industry's night of nights also".

It is this positive, greater industry focus, which above all places White amongst Tasmanian Racing's finest.  

Zavite Back For Cup Campaign

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ZaviteSeasoned traveller Zavite will return to Tasmania this summer to take care of some unfinished business in the Hobart Cup.

In February this year the Anthony Cummings-trained gelding was beaten a head in the 2200m feature before going on to win the Launceston Cup (2400m).

He then travelled to South Australia where he claimed a career high with victory in the Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200m).

After a winless spring culminating in his 19th of 23 in the Melbourne Cup, Zavite is back in business and will run in a barrier trial at Rosehill on Tuesday and begin his campaign in the Tattersalls Cup (2000m) on New Year's Day.

"He just had a short break and he looks really good," Cummings said.

"He's enjoying himself back in the stable and the plan is to go back to Tasmania.

"He will definitely target the Hobart Cup but I'm not sure about Launceston again.

"He trials at Rosehill and then goes into the Tatt's Cup."

The Rosehill trials also herald the return of 2008 Rosehill Guineas winner Dealer Principal from injury.

The five-year-old has been off the scene for more than a year after a freak trackwork accident.

"He fractured a bone at the back of the knee," Cummings said.

"He was just doing a slow canter when he tripped over and hurt himself.

"He looks really well but we are taking fairy steps with him.

"There are no plans. We will just see how he gets through the trial first."

Zavite will run in a 1030 metre trial while Dealer Principal's hitout is over 900.

Saturday's Randwick winner Tallow was among nominations for a 1200 metre race at the same track this week but Cummings said she would head straight to the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy on January 9 at the Gold Coast.

However, Cummings intends to back Supernova up over 1800 metres after his unplaced effort behind 12-year-old Mustard over 1400 metres at Randwick.

"He was disappointing on Saturday," he said.

"But he's healthy and well and maybe the extra distance will help."

Picture - Jenny Barnes

Colonel Parker Due for a Change of Luck

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Colonel Parker will be aiming to crack his first interstate win this Saturday when he lines up in the $100,000 Clamms Seafood Stakes and trainer Bill Ryan thinks he has earned it.

"This will be his eighth start in Victoria and he has won prize money on four occasions, but he could easily have won a couple of times", said Ryan after the horse's final workout this week.

"His work has been lovely, just a few 600m sprint ups this week which have topped him off nicely for Saturday's race".

Ryan believed the star Tasmanian gelding's chances were only improved with some of the fancied runners drawing off the track.

"Let Go Thommo and Bel Mer have both drawn wide which should give us a slight advantage", said Ryan, who has drawn barrier seven for the 1100m event.

Beaten by the narrowest of margins at his first run back after almost nine months off following a back injury, Ryan is expecting Colonel Parker to show a great deal of improvement.

"To say he needed that run would be an understatement.  I was hoping to race him in Tasmania prior to coming over but circumstances beyond my control meant that wasn't a possibility, in the end I had to throw him in the deep end".

"He hasn't let me down yet", quipped Ryan, referring to the gelding's 41% winning strike rate.

So in what looks a very strong race for the Tasmanian visitor, Ryan is quietly confident that everything is falling into place for the lightly raced seven year old.

"He is right, the barrier is right, the form looks good, now we just need to cross our fingers".

Trio Of Cups On Davcon's Radar

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The Heath Conners-trained Davcon will have his consistency rewarded with multiple trips to Tasmania this summer for a series of Cup races.

Conners said the five-year-old would try to make amends for last year's second in the Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day before attacking the first of three Tasmanian Cups races at Devonport over 1800 metres on January 6.

He will cross Bass Strait again for the Hobart Cup (2200m) on February 8 and the Launceston Cup (2400m) on February 24.

Davcon passed a crucial test last start when he was a gallant third to Itstheone in the Ballarat Cup on November 18 over 2200 metres.

Previously this campaign he had finished a close fourth to Mandela in the Seymour Cup (1600m) and sixth to Offenders in the Sale Cup (1600m).

"He is just honest every time he goes around," Conners said.

Conners added that Davcon may have been unlucky not to have picked up a Cup during the spring with the tempo of the races working against him at Sale and Seymour.

"He's a horse you can't ride forward and they went slow in both those race which affected his chances," Conners said.

Conners said a freshen up for the Lord Stakes would provide the right lead-in to the Tasmanian races.

Last year Davcon unleashed a powerful finish from near-last to finish second to Just Look in the Caulfield feature.

Davcon has four wins and eight placings from 29 starts and has earned more than $300,000 in prizemoney.

A significant percentage of his earnings ($120,000) has come from his 11 stakes race starts which have included two seconds and two thirds.

"Tasmania is going to suit him and it won't matter what kind of track he gets," Conners said.

"There is usually a bit of cut out of the ground down there which will be perfect but he has won on good to heavy."

Conners had past success in Tasmania when Con's Amy won the 2006 Bow Mistress Trophy.

Wealthy Lad Looking to Double Up at Flemington

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Wealthy Lad will be looking to double his interstate bank account this week when he contests the sixth heat of the Subzero Winter Championship this Saturday at Flemington.

Having won his only ever start in Victoria with what appeared to be a bit in hand trainer Bill Ryan expects him to be well and truly up to the rise in class.

"This field appears a little stronger on paper but he will have improved from the run and did win quite well last start".

Ryan elected to boat Wealthy Lad home straight after his victory to keep a watchful eye on his recovery and has been happy with his trackwork since.

"He got over the run well and had a strong gallop yesterday morning which should have him spot on for Saturday's race over 1410m".

"I will give him an easy gallop on Thursday morning and then hop on the boat that evening", said Ryan who will arrive in Victoria, with the horse, on Friday morning.

In form jockey Luke Nolen, who partnered Wealthy Lad to victory, will take the ride and Ryan is happy with the 55kg that he has been allotted.

"He is used to carrying 58kg in Tasmania so these light weights are welcome relief".

The Winter Championship Final will be held at Flemington the following week and the scenario to qualify is quite simple for Ryan.

"He will have to win this Saturday to secure a spot and to justify me backing him up".

"My only concern is the weight of all the owners Wealthy Lad will be carrying on his shoulders", joked Ryan who is expecting a group of thirty odd to be making the trip across the Tasman.

Wealthy Lad is one of 15 horses in the Tamar Racing Team, an initiative of Racing Tasmania managed by Cyberhorse. Click on the link to find out how you can follow Wealthy Lad and 14 other horses for only $99 a year.  

Wealthy Lad A Good Thing In Newmarket

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Wealthy Lad will be looking to go one better than last year and take out the 2009 Country Club Tasmania Newmarket Handicap this Sunday at Launceston.

The Bill Ryan trained five-year-old who won in Melbourne earlier this year was unlucky first up at Hobart and dropping a kilo for this looks a good thing according to Ryan.

"He just couldn't get wound up over the short trip and with the big weight first up," said Ryan.

"I think that he is almost a good thing against a very similar field this week."

The eight time winner by Ladoni will step firmly into Tasmania's elite class should he win and it would be of no surprise to Ryan.

"His work is just excellent."

"He could've won his last four with a little luck and he is still maturing," Ryan added.

The race is arguably the strongest sprint race on the Tasmanian programme each season with this year being no exception.

Reigning Tasmanian Horse of the Year Conquering, Melbourne winners Wealthy Lad and Life To The Full along with top Tasmanian horses Lavaca and With Decorum will make this a very good form race for the coming Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival.

Life To The Full, trained by father and son team David and Scott Brunton, could be the stumbling block for Wealthy Lad having beaten him the last two times the pair have met.

However trainer Scott Brunton believes Life To The Full will need the run.

"We haven't trialled him and we are setting him for a Hobart Cup (2200m) so to be honest he probably doesn't have the fitness to beat some of these," said Brunton

"That said he will be hitting the line hard," he added.

Spillane And Sky Speeding Into The Spotlight

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Speedy SkyToday Speedy Sky will become Elesha Spillane's first ever runner on a Victorian metropolitan racecourse - but it certainly won't be her last.

In fact Speedy Sky mirror's Spillane's fast rise up the Tasmanian training ranks, where Spillane currently holds the envious title of highest winning strike rate (18.5%) of any Tasmanian based trainer.

But all of those statistics amount to very little today at Sandown where Spillane's star young filly will meet none of her usual suspects.

"This is the big league and I'm hoping that her stakes placings during the Tasmanian summer carnival hold her in good stead", said Spillane referring to her runs in the Tasmanian Oaks and Strutt Stakes.

Spillane is confident that Speedy Sky will be more than competitive in the restricted three year old fillies' event after meeting open boys first up at Launceston.

"Had she won anymore races in Tasmania she would've been weighted and rated out of her class in Victoria, so the timing is right", said Spillane.

A phone call during the week from Damien Oliver's manager also boosted Spillane's confidence.

"That was a surprise and something that I'm very pleased about", gloated Spillane.

Travelling by boat, like Wealthy Lad the week before, Speedy Sky arrived in great condition on Tuesday morning and Spillane is adamant that she will be on the boat and heading home win, lose or draw.

"We are definitely going home after the race, if she was to win then I would consider bringing her back for the final of this race series".

The paddock isn't far away though for the blossoming star and Spillane is focused on the bigger picture.

"She will learn a lot from the trip and hopefully it will benefit her for some of the richer races in Tassie in summer - such as the Devonport Cup", said Spillane who is keen to win her rich home town feature.

Speedy Sky is one of 15 horses in the Tamar Racing Team, an initiative of Racing Tasmania managed by Cyberhorse. Click on the link to find out how you can follow Speedy Sky and 14 other horses for only $99 a year. 

'Mature' Tempest Tost Ready For How Now

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Tasmanian mare Tempest Tost and trainer Gary White have gone on a journey of discovery over the course of her 10 starts to date and tomorrow's first up run in the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield will be no different.

It will be the pair's first taste of Victorian Spring carnival action, but White is confident that it will be no baptism of fire.

"Tempest has confronted every challenge that has been put to her thus far and her record speaks for itself," White said.

White believes resting the mare, following her bold fourth to Russetting in the Group 1 Winter Stakes (1400m) in June, has fast tracked her maturation.

"The beautiful Queensland conditions she was able to spell in along with the way in which we have managed her has really paid dividends."

"She has filled out beautifully and is doing everything we ask of her on the training track," he added.

Having been elevated to Group 3 status in 2005, the How Now Stakes has consistently drawn a strong field with this year's event no exception.

Absolut Glam, Prima Nova and Neroli share top billing on the handicapper's ratings and while White rates those mares, he is fine with the underdog status.

"We have always been the underdog, but that doesn't make you run any slower," he joked.

Stabling once again with Doug Harrison at Cranbourne, White has the luxury of his close friend and former stable jockey Wayne Davis handling the mares work.

"She gives me the impression that she has matured, and improved, a great deal since last time she was in work," said Davis.

Always a trainer with a goal in mind, it is of no surprise that White has earmarked the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) in October as Tempest Tost's mission.

"Wayne has her relaxing so well in her work and if given a chance, and the barrier, to do so in her races I think she will relsih the mile," said White.

"But there is a long time between now and then so we will see how she handles the pressure of Spring racing and let her tell us which way she wants to go."

Tempest Tost will race Saturday, race 7 Caulfield 4.50pm - How Now Stakes (1200m), from barrier 3 and carry 56.5kg with Darren Gauci on board.  

Doomben 10,000 - Final Field and Barriers

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01 APACHE CAT (Greg Eurell) Damien Oliver (7) 59
02 SIR SLICK (Graeme Nicholson) (4) 59
03 MARASCO (Fred Kersley) Shane Scriven (2) 59
04 SNIPER'S BULLET (Tracey Bartley) Michael Cahill (6) 59
05 COURT COMMAND (Liam Birchley) Zac Purton (10) 59
06 ALL SILENT (Grahame Begg) Craig Williams (12) 59
07 LIGHT FANTASTIC (Mick Price) Craig Newitt (14) 59
08 BLACK PIRANHA (Con Karakatsanis) Tye Angland (15) 59
09 EMPIRES CHOICE (Bart Cummings) Brad Rawiller (17) 59
10 DANLEIGH (Chris Waller) Corey Brown (3) 59
11 SOMETHING ANYTHING (Gary Portelli) Jim Cassidy (16) 59
12 BANK ROBBER (Gai Waterhouse) Nash Rawiller (1) 59
13 JUNGLE RULER (Peter White) (8) 59
14 MR SLICK (Leon Morton) Darren Gauci (11) 59
15 DUPORTH (Anthony Cummings) Luke Nolen (9) 57
16 ABSOLUT GLAM (Danny O'Brien) Michael Rodd (13) 57
17 OVER THE WICKET (Gary Portelli) (5) 57