Horse Racing

Anthony Freedman’s Victorian raider Caravaggio is the top acceptor for this Sunday’s Hobart Guineas 2012, the Al Maher colt out to secure their fourth straight turf triumph.

Programed to run as Hobart Race 8 at 3:25pm (TAS time) on Sunday, the $90,000 Listed Betfair Hobart Guineas (2100m) has this year attracted a full field of 14 stayers.

The form pick of the field to back when Hobart Guineas betting markets are released at Luxbet is in-form three-year-old Caravaggio.

Although stepping up considerably in distance from a mile to the 2100 metres, Caravaggio has been winning with ease in Melbourne including their most recent at Sandown on January 11, prompting Freedman to test them over further.

The other last-start winner out for their second on the trot is Neil Walsh’s lightly-raced Rock Of Gibraltar colt Zuma Roc.

Last-start the fellow Victorian visitor broke their maiden status at their fifth career start when beating a quality field by a nose in the New Year’s Eve Classic Final (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Drawn in barrier nine for Sunday, their performance over the 2040m last-start makes Zuma Roc a nice chance stepping up to the Guineas.

Leading the local hopes in the Hobart Guineas this year is the Gary White-trained Barysh Quest, the West Quest gelding last seen coming within a neck of Moving Money in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) at Launceston on January 4.

Tasmanian Guineas fourth placegetter Jarss Act, from the Plumpton stables of Patrick Payne, has also been accepted for the Hobart edition this weekend.

History is in the Delago Brom gelding’s favour for Sunday as last year’s Tasmanian Guineas fourth placegetter Tiger Won’t Tell went on to run a good second in the Hobart Guineas.

Other notable chances in the race include Jason Warren’s Stratum gelding Strato Mostro to be ridden by Ben Melham, and the Greg Eurell-trained Cranbourne-based filly French Tang who will have Dwayne Dunn on their back jumping from barrier four as they look to improve on their third to Zuma Roc at Moonee Valley on New Year’s Eve.

There have been concerns that Hobart Racecourse would be unable to host the feature races scheduled for the Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival due to the condition of the course proper with rabbit holes on the inner track causing a meeting to be twice rescheduled this week.

Tasmanian racing minister Bryan Green, however, has confirmed that everything is on track for Hobart Guineas Day this weekend and that the course would be up to par for the remainder of the four week carnival, headlined by the $300,000 Group 3 Hobart Cup (2200m) on February 12.

“The course proper is being prepared and will be ready for Sunday’s Guineas meting and the Hobart Cup,” Green said.

“The month-long carnival will showcase our industry to local and national audiences and everyone is working to ensure the track is in top condition.

“The safety of jockeys and horses is paramount.”

Hobart Guineas odds are due to be released at our No. 1 recommended online bookmaker Luxbet shortly, so get ready to back your favourite three-year-old at the hottest prices by joining Luxbet now.

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2012 Hobart Guineas Final Field & Barrier Draw

Hobart Race 8 – 22/01/2012