Matt Reid’s best bets for Sunday racing at Hobart (02/01/25)

The busy start to 2025 Tasmanian thoroughbred racing continues in Hobart on Friday afternoon, where an eight-race program features the Listed Ladbrokes Tasmanian Guineas.

The track raced well here a week ago on a windy day, and a similar surface is expected with the rail moving from +7m back to +2m.

Best bet
Race 1 – 3. Zany Girl

Zany Girl won the first 2YO race of the season as an $8.50 chance, but she’ll be nowhere near that price here. She sat behind the leader on debut, before peeling off heels at the top of the straight for a two-horse war where the quinella spaced the field. She meets similar opposition, and under the conditions of this race, it seems unlikely that any of that raced brigade can turn the tables.

Next best
Race 3 – 4. Press For Boom

Small numbers in race 3, but some really nice horses. Press For Boom tasted defeat for the first time when she resumed, but it was a slowly run contest that was put on for the leader and eventual winner. The closing sectionals of Press For Boom were the fastest on the program, showing she’s returned every bit as good as she was before a spell. The small field may mean a tactical contest again, but I think with a good ride from David Pires, Press For Boom is the one to beat.

Best Value
Race 6 – 5. Don’t Give Up

The majority of the Guineas field comes out of the 3YO Trophy, and I’m not sold on the strength of that form. Don’t Give Up was a late bloomer this season, and after winning his maiden, he was immediately sent out a $3.30 chance at Class 3 company. His beaten run there was full of merit, and the depth of that race has proven very strong. He has the tactical versatility to overcome the wide draw, and I think he deserves to be much shorter than the each-way odds being offered.

Race 1: 3-4-5-2
Race 2: 3-1-7-5
Race 3: 4-6-1-3
Race 4: 8-2-9-5
Race 5: 5-2-6-4
Race 6: 5-7-2-1
Race 7: 2-6-7-8
Race 8: 5-1-3-6

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