Horse Racing

One of Tasmania?s biggest racing events is set to take place this Monday, February 8, when Elwick Racecourse hosts the $400 000 Group 3 AAMI Hobart Cup (2200m).

The prestigious staying event has attracted a 16 horse field including the current odds-on favourite Rathsallagh. Trained by Robert Smerdon Rathsallagh has drawn ideally in barrier two and will be ridden by Glen Boss.

The five-year-old O?Reilly mare is coming straight off two successive victories, ridden both times by Boss, the most recent being the Brian Green Handicap over 2400m.

Anthony Cummings-trained Zavite occupies the second line of betting. The seven-year-old son of Zabeel has drawn wider with barrier ten for the event and will carry the top weight of 59.5kg.

Other big name players in the Cup include nine-year-old Ista Kareem in barrier eight and the Danny O?Brien-trained Ballack who secured the prized barrier one.

Local five-year-old Dream Pedlar is set to start from barrier six with Michael Rodd aboard for the hoops first Tasmanian ride. Prepared by Longford trainer Troy Blacker, Dream Pedlar took out the Listed Tasmanian Stakes back in December, but has a big step up in distance for the Cup on Monday, having not won over 1800m before.

The ever improving son of West Quest is looking to do better than his third place behind Gotta Keep Cool in the 2009 Hobart Cup.

Trainer Darren Weir is aiming for his fourth Hobart Cup in five years with his starter Bangerang Quikpic. Weir has previously taken out the even with True Courser (2006), Offenbach (2008) and Gotta Keep Cool (2009).

A five-year-old Picnicker gelding, Bangerang Quikpic has drawn wide with barrier 13.

The AAMI Hobart Cup will run as race eight on the day?s bumper 10-event programmed. Other highlight races at the meeting include the $80 000 Listed Wrest Point Strutt Stakes (2100m) and the $80 000 Listed Tattersall?s Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m).

More Hobart Cup news and information can be found here.

2010 Hobart Cup Final Field & Barriers: