Racing
Staking Strategy: Hobart - Friday, 5th December 2025
The second Tasmanian thoroughbred meeting in three days is in Hobart, with a rare Friday afternoon program.
Punters again have an eight-race card, after the same number of races were run on Wednesday night in Launceston.
The rail is +3m, with the track likely in the 4-5 range.
R1 Kevin Sharkie Bm76 Handicap, 2000m
Don't Give Up (4) is rock-hard fit and firing. Easy winner here two starts back then led and gave a good kick at Launceston but nailed right on the line. Has a fitness edge over main rivals. GOLDEN PROPHET (2) looks the hardest to beat second-up. He warmed up nicely late at Launceston over 1600m and is a proven performer at this track. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (5) is a complete unknown beyond a mile but has found form since changing stables. STEEL MIST (6) a hard horse to catch but bobs up now and then. JUST A NEEDS (1) has a tough assignment jumping sharply in trip.
Staking Strategy: Don't Give It Up recent form is hard to knock, rock-hard fit, tough to get past. 2 units to win DON'T GIVE UP (4).
R2 Winning Edge Presentations Maiden, 1100m
Colonel Bogey (3) was a beaten odds-on favourite resuming but was held-up at a key stage of the race. Can make amends. JENNI THE CAT (13) the main danger, looks set to run well resuming. Trial win at Hobart was sharp. She ran some nice races in her first preparation. ZAMBEZI BLONDE (6) ran up to his trial form and ran a much-improved race at his second start. The winner and the runner up of that race both have nice ability. GEEGEES MERCEDES (12) went too quickly at Launceston and faded badly. Returns to home track and can improve, wasn't far away first up. The debutant THE LITTLE BAY (5) next best.
Staking Strategy: Colonel Bogey luckless last start and is clear top pick but is very, very short. Jenni The Cat trial win was good, each-way claims. 1 unit each-way JENNI THE CAT (13).
R3 Life Member Mr Barry Tarranto Maiden, 1400m
Verhoeven (5) was desperately unlucky last time not to get the race on protest last time. Narrowly defeated the start prior, overdue for a change of luck. LORD HEAR US (1) returns from a break with a couple of placings under the belt in his first preparation. The second-placed effort to Skin In The Game reads well for this. PLAYED STRONG (10) is yet to place from 8 starts and drops back in trip but wasn't far away last time after being held-up on the turn. STRIDING BAY (4) gets a minor gear change but was it hard to find an excuse for him here 12-days ago. BIG OLIVE (9) showed nice improvement at her second start but it was in a moderate maiden.
Staking Strategy: Hard to find a negative with Verhoeven and it's a race with limited opposition, best bet for the day. 10 units to win VERHOEVEN (5)
R4 Ladbrokes Mega Multi Bm60 Handicap, 1400m
Restricted Access (1) is proving a tough horse to get past once he finds the front, chasing his third straight win in Benchmark 60 grade. There are a couple of others that are likely to dispute the lead so early tactics will be key to his chances. COASTAL STRIKE (4) will press forward. A nice effort first up at Launceston leading and boxing on well, saves his best for here. GINGERSON (6) has been consistent and deserves another win, got into an awkward spot last time but finished off strongly. MISS DE LUNE (9) covered too much ground resuming and was never a threat. Gets a much better set up here from a better gate. KAKIA (2) is always thereabouts while MONTEZULU (7) ran on soundly resuming and strips fitter.
Staking Strategy: Gingerson will be competitive again, too much ground to make up last time. 2 units to win GINGERSON (6)
R5 Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers Class 3 Hcp, 1400m
Magnaprime (1) was always going to find it hard to win first up after getting well back but did finish off strongly and got close on the line. Has performed well at both runs this track. JOHNNIE PINCH (3) has returned in good order. Wasn't far off a smart winner second-up. STEELE MY SUNSHINE (8) might lack the quality of some of these but is rock-hard fit and makes own luck, lightweight chance. HALEN (5) has come back a different horse this time in. Whether he's able to bring his winning form to Hobart is the query. ROYAL DISPATCH (2) returns from a break, won first-up last prep, lightly raced, and plenty of scope for improvement.
Staking Strategy: Johnnie Pinch two solid runs for the new stable and the last run when beaten just over 2 lengths behind Earendel reads very well. 2 units to win JOHNNIE PINCH (3).
R6 Kevin Sharkie Class 1 Handicap, 1100m
Prince Of Khatun (1) hasn't run a bad race this preparation. There looks to be a stack of speed and from barrier 1 should enjoy a good trail. FIRST LINE (2) trialled nicely and looks hard to beat resuming. Was a big run in defeat first run back last preparation. HUBUBBAJAHN (6) has been a prominent placegetter since winning his maiden just over 12 months and has been unlucky on a few occasions. Resumes and does go well fresh. QUEEN OF MALWA (3) has been off the scene for a while but should be running on late.SH' BOURNE ANGEL (4) won on debut and although didn't do much on the clock there was merit in the win. FILLENTINA (7) next best and better suited back at the 1100m.
Staking Strategy: Hardest race of the day. The favourite is short enough and so is Sh'bourne Angel. Queen Of Malwa resumes and trialled up okay, good run 1st up last prep. 1 unit each-way QUEEN OF MALWA (3).
R7 Ladbrokes Big Bets Bm68 Hcp, 1000m
Tactics will be interesting with 3-4 genuine speed horses lining up. Alpine Thunder (3) led all the way last time and from barrier 2 would expect him to want the front again. If not him perhaps AMANT FRANCAIS (7), drawn to his inside. ETOSHA (1) looks vulnerable drawn 9/9. JEHBENTI (5) can improve from a kinder draw. Got a mile out of his ground resuming and was never in the hunt. POPILITA (6) has been around the mark and maps to sit just off them and will get her chance. SWEET LUCIFER (2) not ideally suited at the 1000 but reluctant to rule him out.
Staking Strategy: Alpine Thunder a strong all the way winner last time and the one to beat. Sweet Lucifer may find the 1000 a touch short but will be rocketing home. 2 units to win SWEET LUCIFER (2) and ALPINE THUNDER (3).
R8 Life Member Mr Andrew Scanlon Maiden/class 1, 2000m
Tassie Power (4) likely to take a power of beating provided he backs up okay from Wednesday night. A solid effort there behind Launnie Nights in class 2 company and conceded plenty of weight to the winner. The rise in trip shouldn't be a concern. ALPINE COWGIRL (5) looks the main threat coming off a maiden win over 1600m 12 days ago and should excel over more ground. Wider chances to SIR JAG (2) and STRATOJACK (3) but both have been stuck on the one win for a very long time.
Staking Strategy: Tassie Power ran very well on Wednesday night in a harder race. Alpine Cowgirl finished ahead of him when they clashed, the obvious danger. 2 units to win TASSIE POWER (4).
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