The best horses from all over Tasmania along with some talented Mainlanders will come together on Sunday for Ladbrokes Hobart Cup Day.
The ten-race program is highlighted by the $250k G3 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup, Listed Strutt Stakes and the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes.
We’ve put in the hard yards for you and provided our top selections below.
Race 1 - 11:55AM AEDT
The JBM Group Maiden (1200 METRES)
Geegeehailstorm (8) looks close to a breakthrough win after placing in four of her five starts this preparation.
The Stuart Gandy-trained mare caught the eye last start over 1200m at Launceston when surging late to finish a nose second.
It was a similar scenario the start prior over this course and distance when storming home from a long way back to finish two lengths third.
There looks to be good speed in the race which will aid her cause.
1 Unit – Geegeehailstorm (8)
Race 2 - 12:26pm AEDT
Kevin Sharkie Maiden (1400 METRES)
Peak A Boom (9) has been plagued by disgusting barriers throughout this preparation and finally draws a decent starting point.
The John Blacker-trained Alpine Eagle mare drew the outside barrier in the field of 14 at Launceston last start and settled a long way back before rattling home down the outside to finish 1.6 lengths fourth.
Besides finishing towards the tail first-up, she managed to finish to close in her other three starts including a nose second at Launceston three starts back.
The rise in distance suits and Craig ‘Froggy’ Newitt will be able to settle handy.
1 Unit – Peak A Boom (8)
Race 3 - 12:58PM AEDT
Winning Edge Presentations BM68 Hcp (1400 METRES)
Fast Thinker (2) was tasked with carting the field up to a tearaway leader over 1400m at Launceston last start and just couldn’t get there, finishing 2.5 lengths second.
That broke a winning run of four races for the son of So You Think.
He boasts an excellent record over this course and distance of three wins and two placings from five starts which includes back-to-back races two and three starts back.
He’s drawn beautifully in barrier 1 for 1.5kg claimer Lauryn Bingley who should be able to drive forward and lead.
1 Unit – Fast Thinker (2)
Race 4 - 1:30pm AEDT
Listed Aviso TAS Insurance Brokers Strutt Stakes (2100 METRES)
Suntora (6) was bitterly unlucky last start over 2000m at Pakenham where she looked to have a lot to give but just couldn’t get clear in the straight.
The Nick Ryan-trained Toronado filly produced an excellent performance the start prior when despite racing wide throughout, she let down powerfully to win by a length over 1600m at Hamilton.
She raced against strong company last preparation in Melbourne and looks well placed here.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but there’s only six runners and Jamie Melham can take advantage of the lack of speed and roll forward.
1 Unit – Suntora (6)
Race 5 - 2:05pm AEDT
Fred Westwood Memorial Class 3 Hcp (1600 METRES)
Fighting For Gold (3) stepped up to this distance for the first time last start and gave a good account of herself, finding the line well for a 2.1 length third.
The Mark Ganderton-trained mare won her only previous race at the track two starts back when proving too strong over 1400m.
She hasn’t been out of the top three in her six starts this preparation and will be at optimum fitness for her second attempt at a mile.
Daniel Ganderton can settle just off what looks like a decent speed.
1 Unit – Fighting For Gold (3)
Race 6 - 2:40pm AEDT
Ladbrokes Community Sports Series Maiden/Class 1 (1600 METRES)
Mateus (4) opened this preparation with a string of four frustratingly close runner-up finishes.
The John Blacker-trained gelding finally broke through last start over this course and distance when finding the line strongly to win boy half a length.
That was Bulent Muhcu’s first ride on him and he sticks.
The wide barrier isn’t ideal but he would have settled back anyway and the likely strong tempo helps.
1 Unit – Mateus (4)
Race 7 - 3:15pm AEDT
Bec Thomas MLC for Elwick Class 5 Hcp (1200 METRES)
Sweet Lucifer (3) led over 1400m here last start before weakening in the final furlong to finish 1.5 lengths fourth.
Two starts back the John Keys-trained son of Hellbent found the line strongly over 1100m here to finish 1.5 lengths second.
He’ll appreciate returning to 1200m given it’s his sweet spot and he has won four of seven starts over the course and distance.
Craig Newitt has a good record aboard him and returns to the saddle.
1 Unit – Sweet Lucifer (3)
Race 8 - 4:03PM AEDT
G3 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup (2400 METRES)
Promises Kept (2) is well placed to win the 2025 G3 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding impressed in his first Tasmanian race last start when letting down strongly to win the Summer Cup over 2200m here.
He brought excellent form across the Tasman with him including a head second over 2040m at The Valley where he savaged the line two starts back.
He’s rock hard fit and maps to get a beautiful run for Shane ‘Axel’ Foley.
2 Units – Promises Kept (2)
Race 9 - 4:38pm AEDT
Listed Wrest Point Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400 METRES)
The Inevitable (1) is a nine-year-old but is showing no signs of slowing down and is well placed under the weight for age conditions of the Thomas Lyons Stakes.
The John Keys-trained evergreen gelding has been freshened since running on strongly to win the Listed Tasmanian Stakes over a mile here last start.
Coincidently, he won that race prior to winning the 2023 edition of this race.
He’s drawn well for Craig Newitt.
2 Units – The Inevitable (1)
Race 10 - 5:15pm AEDT
Mingari + Co Class 1 Hcp (1100 METRES)
She’s Slick (1) is having her first start for Stuart Gandy after previously racing with Jerome Hunter in Victoria.
The Street Boss filly impressed on debut at Mornington when storming home to win by a nose over 1000m.
She didn’t do a lot in a much stronger race at her second start but was luckless last time out when held up badly on the fence when finishing 2.5 lengths sixth over 1209m at Yarra Glen.
Ben Melham can take advantage of the inside barrier and settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – She’s Slick (1)