Racing
2026 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup runner preview
A full field is likely to face the starter for the 2026 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup, with Chicane an emergency. The narrative writes itself, with local legend Craig Newitt chasing a tenth Cup.
Matt Reid has provided his runner-by-runner preview along with his assessed market to 110%.
Sushi Express (14) – Assessed Price $12There wouldn't be anyone who'd begrudge Glenn Hodges a Devonport Cup with the only horse he has in his stable. Sushi Express looked the winner for a long way last year but had to settle for third in a blanket finish. He won both traditional lead-ups, the Golden Mile and Sheffield Cup, and I fear that's weighted him out of the race. 58kg is more than even the likes of Newhart and Eastender carried to victory since this race moved to the synthetic surface.
Vega Magnifico (4) – Assessed Price $9He's the unknown quantity, a rare visitor for the Devonport Cup. He's a horse that started overseas and most recently won the Bordertown Cup in South Australia. He looks like a tough on pacer, who, along with Sushi Express, is the logical speed in the race, and they draw opposite sides of the track. He's Vic/NSW Spring Carnival form warrants respect.
Asva (10) – Assessed Price $11Asva was working through his grades when he ran fourth here last year, but has taken a different approach in 2026, winning the 2020m, Brighton Cup last start. As a result, he had 54kg in 2025, but 56.5 kg in 2026, and my gut feel is he'll run a very good race here with an eye to the Hobart and Launceston Cups next month.
Kaliuwaa Falls (12) – Assessed Price $7.50Lost this race in an agonising photo finish last year and will only carry 0.5kg more this year. His prep hasn't been dissimilar, entering this race third-up after missing the Newmarket. He ran a bottler first-up in the Conquering, and the race shape didn't suit in The Inevitable. There wouldn't have been many high fives in the Miller/McCoull household after the barrier draw, with their two runners drawing 12 and 13, but there's no denying they're very strong winning chances.
General Assembly (6) – Assessed Price $85He won the Golden Mile and Sheffield Cup last year and entered this race as one of the main hopes, but he doesn't appear to be the same horse this campaign. He had been ridden with a sit until Longford where he rolled to the top with an early move but was beaten a fair way out. At his best, he'd be up on the pace and give plenty of cheek.
Blonde Star (13) – Assessed Price $4.80Announced herself as a contender for this race with a ballot-free win in Launceston on 3 December, and with that in mind, I think connections would've been very content with the Sheffield Cup third placing. She's 2/2 at the track and distance and looks weighted to win on the minimum. The draw is the main reason I've priced her longer than Earendel, but she does have some tactical versatility now, which could see her drag across with Sushi Express and land in a great spot.
Ashy Boy (11) – Assessed Price $27What tricks does Stevo have in the locker with the 2024 and 2025 Devonport Cup winner? He's looked a shadow of himself this campaign, but there's little secret this is his Grand Final, and the blinkers go back on. Couldn't have him on recent form, but he's in again on the minimum, and a significant improvement wouldn't surprise.
Earendel (7) – Assessed Price $4.50I'm sure Froggy would've had plenty of options for this Cup (and every Cup!), but he's chosen Earendel, aiming for number 10. I think a popular view of his last two performances as a beaten favourite is that he's been ridden upside down, particularly given his first-up win coming from last. He's got a lovely middle draw to follow some horses through, and he profiles very similarly to Newhart, who won this race at start nine, and it'll be start 10 for Earendel on Wednesday. Looks set to peak.
Ashfall (15) – Assessed Price $150Ashfall does have a Sunshine Coast synthetic win to his credit, but this looks like a stepping stone to the longer races back on the grass.
Original Glaze (1) – Assessed Price $30Kelvin Hamilton won the Longford Cup, and he'll now try to add Devonport with Original Glaze, who has more than paid his way since arriving in Tasmania. He'll get a lovely run from the draw up near the speed, and I could see him spicing up exotics.
Spring Bean (5) – Assessed Price $35The market had no clue what to do with Spring Bean at Longford, drifting from as low as $1.80 to near $7 at jump time, but he ran well all the same. His Sheffield Cup run has him in the mix, but I think he's a few lengths off some of the better ones here. He had every chance to win at Longford over 1800m, and the winner was going away from him late.
The Longest Yard (3) – Assessed Price $10Glenn Stevenson will saddle up four runners in the race, which is an achievement in itself. I've narrowly got The Longest Yard as the pick of his quartet, drawn ideally to settle in the front half and present as the winner at some stage, just as he did in the Sheffield Cup. He's yet to prove he can run the trip, though, which is the lingering doubt I have given there's enough speed in this race to make it a genuine 1880m.
Zulu Angel (9) – Assessed Price $75He hit the line well in the Sheffield Cup, which saw me give him a big chance in the Brighton Cup, but I thought he was very plain. Visors replace blinkers now for the 6yo who finished seventh in this race last year. Something similar would be a good result.
Garcon D'espoir (8) – Assessed Price $65Yassy Nishitani has taken a different route to this race, jumping from a 1350m class 4 to the 1880m Cup trip. Garcon D'espoir loves racing at Devonport and wasn't a long way off Earendel and The Longest Yard two starts ago, but I think it would be a big surprise if he wins this.
| 1 | Sushi Express | 12 |
| 2 | Vega Magnifico | 9 |
| 3 | Asva | 11 |
| 4 | Kaliuwaa Falls | 7.5 |
| 5 | General Assembly | 85 |
| 6 | Blonde Star | 4.8 |
| 7 | Ashy Boy | 27 |
| 8 | Earendel | 4.5 |
| 9 | Ashfall | 125 |
| 10 | Original Glaze | 30 |
| 11 | Spring Bean | 35 |
| 12 | The Longest Yard | 10 |
| 13 | Zulu Angel | 75 |
| 14 | Garcon D'espoir | 65 |
| 15 | Chicane | EM |
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