Staking Strategy – Devonport, Friday 19 December

Friday twilight racing is in Devonport for a big 10-race card featuring the $50,000 Kevin Sharkie Sheffield Cup.

The meeting is the last at the track before the Devonport Cup in early 2026.

The first race is scheduled for 13:18.

R1 Ladbroke It! Maiden/class 1, 1880m

Opensea (3) is deep into the preparation but is holding form well and won his maiden at this track by a big margin. JUDGE JENNI (7) had every chance behind Zurich but that was a deeper race than this. BLOOMING EDGE (2) was strong late at Launceston and looks well-placed getting out to this trip. CORSA VELOCE (6) has come back in good order and is close to another win. COOL CONQUEST (5) got a long way back last time and was never in the hunt but had been consistent prior. BEAU WARRIOR (1) won a moderate maiden but makes own luck and is hard to get past.

R2 Dr "the Doc" Leslie Sender Maiden, 1150m

Ozonica (6) has been a prolific winner at the trials and from the favourable draw will get his chance on debut. The other two debutants FRENCH SOUL (5) and HOULIHAN (11) have also trialled well and are likely to play a big part in the finish. GUBER (2) was well beaten resuming but does save best for this track. ALPINE WOODS (9) is only lightly raced and showed good ability in her first preparation, making good late ground at both runs.

R3 G.a. "joe" Mason Memorial Maiden, 1350m

Affirmations (8) gets a handy 4kg claim, recent form is good enough and maps to get her chance. ZIGGY PLAYS GUITAR (6) has drawn the outside but did trial okay here last week. THICKSKINNED (4) was doing best work late resuming and looks suited over extra ground. CALLED THROUGH (2) made good late ground at Launceston and there's been winning form out of the race. NIKOLSKY (9) has been running on strongly and extra trip suits.

R4 Rj (snow) & Nk Aylett Memorial Class 4, 1350m

Mazzini (6) went straight to the front and was never in any danger at Launceston and ran slick time. Romped home at his only start on the synthetic. GARCON D'ESPOIR (1) gets blinkers added for the first time and recent form is very good. MAGNAPRIME (2) never runs poorly and only won narrowly at Hobart but found plenty when challenged over the concluding stages. WHIPPIN PICCADILLY (5) recent form is good in strong races and gets a favourable map. IT'S JAGGER TIME (3) has been consistent of late in easier races.

R5 Aj & Nm Skirving Memorial Bm60 Hcp, 1350m

Bayside (11) couldn't have drawn any worse but the return run was excellent and with average luck will go close. HARTMAN (3) in stark contrast couldn't have drawn any better and have to overlook the first up run when caught wide throughout. Won with authority here the start prior. ALPINE BLAST (6) always has to be respected at this track and distance and drops sharply in grade. STONE COLD STUNNER (1) hasn't raced at this level for a very long time and gets a valuable 4kg claim but has been out the winners circle for the past 21 months. AGNETE (8) failed to stay at Hobart and been freshened for this. BAYBOUGG (10) was caught wide and was well beaten last start but form prior was good.

R6 Ladbrokes Cup Punters Marquee Bm76 Hcp, 1009m

Sanniya (5) was a beaten odds-on favourite first up, has been back to the trials and was a brilliant winner. BOLD INSTINCT (2) is always hard to beat resuming and on home track. OHSHE'STROUBLE (6) reared and lost all chance at the start at latest, soft winner the start prior. QUICKEN UP (3) has returned in good order winning two of last three but this is tough.

R7 Mick Sims Memorial Bm60 Hcp, 1150m

Berserker (7) was winless last preparation but mostly consistent including several synthetic placings. Brought him all the way up here to trial last week and despite drawing poorly rates among the keys chances. NAZORIAN (13) has been thereabouts of late in similar company and should be prominent again. DESIGNER DREAMER (8) ideally wants more ground but is a two-time winner first up and could make presence felt fresh. WARICA (2) has drawn awkwardly but regularly performs well on this surface. GET 'EM WARRIOR (5) recent form is poor but maps for right run and both wins have been at this track and distance.

R8 Dwayne Dunn C1 Hcp, 1150m

Prince Of Khatun (4) just the one-win this prep but has been ultra consistent. No match at all for the winner at Hobart but there were big beaten margins and it was a high rating race. ROUNDLE PARK (5) looked home first up when kicked a couple clear turning for home but run down late by one that is fit and firing. MISS LYRA (7) is the third of the Trinder trio and also rates highly returning from a break although awkwardly drawn. STAR FORTIAN (11) gets blinkers on for the first time and at only appearance this track led all the way for a comfortable win.

R9 Kevin Sharkie Sheffield Cup, 1650m

Blonde Star (6) continues to race well and keeps improving. She had the race won a long way from home at Launceston defeating EARENDEL (8) by a couple of lengths who held on very well after going far too quickly in the lead. Gets a senior rider engaged here and is capable of turning the tables. SUSHI EXPRESS (5) is underrated and finished just out of the placings in the Conquering. THE LONGEST YARD (12) faces his toughest test but is in winning form, gets nice weight relief, and beaten only a whisker by Earendel three runs back. ASVA (7) next best then SPRING BEAN (10). GENERAL ASSEMBLY (4) won this race last year but this clearly a deeper race.

R10 Merry Christmas Bm68 Hcp, 1880m

Night Invader (2) has been a regular winner this preparation and continues to raise the bar. ORIGINAL GLAZE (3) was doing best work late at Launceston and looks well-placed stepping out to this trip. TUSKEGEE (5) saves best for the synthetic and capable of sharp improvement. GOLDEN PROPHET (1) was doing best work late at Hobart and should be nearing peak third run in. CHICANE (4) next best but only minor claims.