For all of Punty's tips for Devonport Synthetic, head to https://punty.ai/tips/devonport-synthetic-2026-05-17

Rightio Loose Units, Devonport Synthetic has copped the weather cocktail from hell - showers, a true rail, and enough humidity to make the tote board sweat. This is a day where position will matter early, but the lane can get weird once the surface starts chewing up, so don't go full hero trying to swoop from the car park unless the speed really falls in a hole.

MEET SNAPSHOT

Track: Devonport Synthetic, 1009-1650m card
Rail: True
Official going: Synthetic, expected to play fair-to-on-pace early
Weather: Showers increasing, 15°C, humid as a sauna, with gusty NNW wind and rain around the traps
Early lane guess: Inside-to-middle should be gold early; later races may open up for runners finishing off
Tempo profile: Starts with a couple of crawl-and-sprint affairs, then gets more honest through the middle of the card
Jockeys to follow:
Jabez Johnstone — gets a stack of live rides and maps well on the speed horses
Erica Byrne Burke — lands on runners with genuine upside and a couple of nice setup rides
Troy Baker — sits on a few handy types who can lob in the right spot if they begin cleanly
Stables to respect:
J K Blacker (8 runners) — has the biggest hand on the card and plenty of them are either firming or sitting in the right pattern
Barry Campbell (5 runners) — a serious player across the middle and back end of the card, especially when the market speaks up
Adam Trinder (3 runners) — smaller team, but the runners map well and that matters on a true synthetic

Punty's take:

This meeting is a classic Devonport synthetic rort in the making: the sort of day where the first two or three races can lull you into thinking it's all leaders and rail jobs, then a proper handicap rolls around and the whole thing turns into a pub brawl. The synthetic is still the place to be, but the rain and rail true combo means you want horses that can hold a spot, not blokes needing a miracle out the back like they're trying to escape a Daley Thompson decathlon.

The market's got a few of the obvious ones pinned up pretty tight - Buzzoffski, Party Day, Blameitontheboogie, Simply Deep - and fair enough, some of them look the goods. But there are also a couple of races where the tote's been steaming into runners the map doesn't fully support, and that screams "careful, sport" to me. Race 5 and Race 7 are the banana peels; Race 1, 3, 6 and 8 are where the day can be built if the right horses do what they're supposed to do.

What it means for you:

This is a day for a disciplined play, not a pirate raid. Use the short-course synthetics as your anchor races, but don't get seduced by every drift and plunge like you're watching a nervous mate at the poker machine. The money feels best in the places again: when a horse can map cleanly, hold a spot and run top three, that's your bread-and-butter.

If you're having a proper crack, lean on the bankers and keep the chaos races on a short leash. Race 6 and Race 8 look like the best anchors for the card, Race 1 is a clean maiden where the map can save you a headache, and Race 5 is the one where you either get paid or get slapped in the gob by the handicap gods. Keep the roughies as spice, not the main course.

PUNTY'S BIG 3 + MULTI

1 - Buzzoffski (Race 1, No.5) — $1.92
Why Drawn to land handy from barrier 1 in a skinny maiden, and the ear muffs first time tell me they're trying to keep the bugger switched on. He looks the one to beat if he jumps cleanly and puts himself in the game early.

2 - Blameitontheboogie (Race 6, No.3) — $1.40
Why The market's had a proper whack at him for a reason - he's the class horse of the race, maps up on the speed, and this is the sort of 1150m sprint where you can either be a length clear or you're cooked. Hard to see him getting rolled if he brings his A-game.

3 - Simply Deep (Race 8, No.3) — $2.69
Why He gets the right run in a race that looks set up for horses that can hold position, and the firming tells you the stable mean business. If he settles where he should, he's the bloke they all have to run down.

Multi (all three to win): $10 × ~7.21 = ~$72.15 collect

Race 1 – Maiden Sprint Snack

Race type: Maiden Plate, 1009m
Map & tempo: Slow early speed, with Buzzoffski the natural control horse from the inside

Punty read:

This is a little 1009m dart where the favourite should get first go at the race and a few others need luck or a clean jump just to stay in touch. Buzzoffski from barrier 1 is the obvious anchor - if he begins, he can basically turn this into a front-running seminar. Zalau looks the main danger if the race doesn't become a one-horse procession, while Valley Star and Scarlet Bullet are the ones that can pick up the crumbs if the tempo goes haywire.

The only wrinkle is the market sniffing around Scarlet Bullet, but without a clear form case I don't want to chase the smoke like a mug in a Netflix thriller. This is more about the map than heroics.

Top 3 + Roughie ($25.00 pool)

1. Buzzoffski (No.5) — $1.92 / $1.30
Bet $15.00 Win, return $28.80
Prob 31.0% | Place: 58.1% | Value: 0.77x
Why Barrier 1 in a slow maiden is a lovely place to be, and the gear tweak suggests they're looking to sharpen him up. He can sit handy and make the rest chase.

2. Zalau (No.4) — $3.04 / $1.55
Bet $10.00 Place, return $15.50
Prob 27.5% | Place: 53.5% | Value: 0.85x
Why Second-up and better for the run, with the right combo figures and a map that lets him settle midfield without burning petrol. In a race like this, that's the sort of horse that can nick into the placings when the jolly does the heavy lifting.

3. Valley Star (No.3) — $7.35 / $3.10
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.1% | Place: 24.5% | Value: 1.05x
Why Nice draw, but this is more of a hope-for-the-overs scenario than a trust-me situation. Needs the top end to underperform.

Roughie: Scarlet Bullet (No.7) — $9.45 / $3.60
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.4% | Place: 20.9% | Value: 1.15x
Why The market's giving it a shove and that's worth noting, but the form doesn't scream "smash me". If it gets the right trail through the race, it can pinch a cheque.

Race 2 – Freshie Roulette

Race type: Maiden Plate, 1150m
Map & tempo: Moderate tempo; Party Day should sit near the front and make them chase

Punty read:

Party Day looks the obvious nuts here - on-pace, honest, and the one most likely to control the shape without any drama. The race isn't full of killers, but there are a few who can run on if the favourite gets softened up. Leo Davinci is the best of the closers for mine, because this is the sort of setup where a midfield run can become very handy late.

Francium has the right kind of gear moves to be worth a squiz, but the race shape and the staking say "not today, mate". Guber is the one with the excuses in the book and enough ability to trouble them if the race gets messy, though the stable pattern doesn't exactly scream celebration.

Top 3 + Roughie ($11.00 pool)

1. Party Day (No.9) — $1.94 / $1.20
Bet $6.50 Win, return $12.61
Prob 30.4% | Place: 73.4% | Value: 1.02x
Why Maps to sit in the first wave and looks the safest horse in the race. If this is a straight-up maiden where class and tempo matter, Party Day gets every chance to do the business.

2. Leo Davinci (No.3) — $6.90 / $1.95
Bet $4.50 Place, return $8.78
Prob 14.2% | Place: 45.4% | Value: 1.15x
Why He hasn't been knocking the door down to win, but the track and trip look the right sort of ingredients for him to rattle home into the placings. Good jockey/trainer combo and a map that should keep him within striking range.

3. Francium (No.6) — $6.80 / $1.95
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.1% | Place: 39.9% | Value: 1.34x
Why First-time blinkers can spark a run-up in effort, but he's still got to prove he can turn the pressure into a finish. Not out of it, just not a bloke I'm dying to trust.

Roughie: Cool As You (No.1) — $9.15 / $2.30
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.2% | Place: 31.6% | Value: 1.11x
Why First-up after a very long spell, and the inside draw can help if the old legs are ready to roll. The issue is the prep length - he's the sort who can look like a star in the yard and then never go a yard at the races.

Race 3 – The Support Act

Race type: Maiden Plate, 1350m
Map & tempo: Slow pace again; Light Work should get the run of the race from the fence

Punty read:

Light Work is the favourite for good reason - barrier 1, honest recent efforts, and a setup that lets him sit midfield without getting tangled in traffic. The last-start excuse is real enough, and on this track he can be the bloke who strolls through the front door while the others are still looking for the key.

Awesome Orphan has enough in the book to run top three if the race turns into a sit-and-sprint, and the tongue tie coming off is the sort of little nudge that sometimes sharpens them up. Luna Lindt and Stratovision are the ones the back-end of the race could flatter if there's any sort of genuine finish.

Top 3 + Roughie ($25.00 pool)

1. Light Work (No.4) — $2.16 / $1.35
Bet $15.00 Win, return $32.40
Prob 31.0% | Place: 56.9% | Value: 0.89x
Why He maps beautifully from the inside, the last run had a genuine excuse, and the race shape says he should get every possible chance. This is the sort of set-up where the favourite can look a world beater if he simply reproduces his best.

2. Awesome Orphan (No.3) — $4.55 / $2.20
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.6% | Place: 38.3% | Value: 0.97x
Why Not flashy, but this bloke keeps poking around the placings and gets a decent map to do it again. If the race becomes tactical and they sprint off the corner, he's got the profile to hold a spot.

3. Luna Lindt (No.5) — $5.00 / $2.35
Bet Tracked
Prob 15.5% | Place: 32.6% | Value: 0.88x
Why She's got enough runs to be fit, but the map isn't as kind and she needs the race to be run to suit. More of a minor money hope than a bet.

Roughie: Stratovision (No.8) — $9.45 / $3.80
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.4% | Place: 16.3% | Value: 1.21x
Why If they overcook it and the race finally gets some tempo, he can swoop late and make them earn it. Not the most likely winner, but the roughie path is there if the leaders empty out.

Race 4 – The Benchmark Brawl

Race type: Benchmark 68, 1350m
Map & tempo: Genuine tempo with Hartman likely trying to dictate from the front

Punty read:

This is a proper speed-and-position race. Hartman is the obvious leader and will make them chase, while Adachi and Sky Land look the best of the chasers. Whippin Piccadilly has been backed from $7.40 to $6.50 and Gee Gee Can Win has also firmed, so the market is sniffing around the alternatives, but the model still wants the top three as the main game.

Hartman is the horse they all have to catch, and that's never a bad place to be when the pressure isn't crazy. Adachi's got enough fitness and a neat enough map to stick on, while Sky Land is the sort of runner who can sit on the speed and stay in the picture without being flashy. Stardarmus is the roughie that has some ability, but this race doesn't give me the warm fuzzies.

Top 3 + Roughie ($25.00 pool)

1. Hartman (No.1) — $2.93 / $1.55
Bet $15.00 Win, return $43.95
Prob 18.6% | Place: 37.5% | Value: 0.70x
Why He maps to roll along in front and set his own terms, which is half the battle on a true synthetic. If he gets an easy time of it, he can pinch the race before the swoopers even know what's happened.

2. Adachi (No.2) — $3.55 / $1.85
Bet $10.00 Place, return $18.50
Prob 17.5% | Place: 35.5% | Value: 0.80x
Why Consistent enough, comes in with the right kind of form, and the hoof filler change says the stable are trying to eke out a bit more. Barrier 5 is handy in a race where finding cover matters.

3. Sky Land (No.4) — $3.85 / $1.95
Bet Tracked
Prob 17.3% | Place: 35.2% | Value: 0.85x
Why Another who can sit close and keep the leaders honest, but the race doesn't hand him a free lunch. More of a filler than a bet.

Roughie: Stardarmus (No.5) — $7.90 / $2.20
Bet Tracked
Prob 16.7% | Place: 34.0% | Value: 1.69x
Why He has the profile to run into it if the leaders overdo it, but the weight angle and the overall race shape aren't screaming go-for-broke. Nice horse, wrong price.

Race 5 – The Open Handicap Spaghetti

Race type: Class 2, 1350m
Map & tempo: Moderate tempo, but the map is messy and a few are pace disadvantaged

Punty read:

This is the first real "who the hell knows" race of the day. Taroona has the highest model nod, but barrier 10 means he can't be sleeping at the wheel early. Azonto is in the same boat from barrier 9 - capable, but not exactly drawn like a gift from the gods. Respite is the one with the clean inside map, and if the race turns tactical he can be the bloke sneaking up the rail while the others are busy tripping over each other.

The market has hammered Roundle Park, and the reason is obvious - strong recent form and the kind of profile that punters love to latch onto. But the map is nasty enough to make me keep him out of the main bets. Thonatus is the roughie who can clobber them if the speed gets silly, though historically this is the sort of price that burns fingers and then laughs at you on the way past.

Top 3 + Roughie ($11.00 pool)

1. Taroona (No.3) — $5.40 / $1.85
Bet $5.50 Win, return $29.70
Prob 17.5% | Place: 49.7% | Value: 1.29x
Why He has the form, the fitness and enough class to measure up, even if the alley means he needs a touch of luck. In a race like this, the best horse can still win if the map doesn't turn into a circus.

2. Azonto (No.1) — $5.40 / $1.85
Bet $5.50 Place, return $10.18
Prob 15.5% | Place: 45.4% | Value: 1.14x
Why Barrier 9 is not ideal, but he's honest, seasoned and gets the right sort of test if they overdo it early. One of those "keep it simple and keep it alive" runners.

3. Respite (No.6) — $4.20 / $1.50
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.8% | Place: 38.9% | Value: 0.73x
Why Gets the good gate and the gear changes are interesting, but the model wants more certainty before giving him a proper shove. Could be dangerous if the rail becomes gold.

Roughie: Thonatus (No.7) — $21.50 / $4.40
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.7% | Place: 30.8% | Value: 2.84x
Why He'd love a collapse up front and the blinkers going on again gives him a tiny sniff of a revival. If the speed turns savage, he can steam home and ruin someone's quaddie like a wrecking ball.

Race 6 – Speed Horse Duel

Race type: Class 4, 1150m
Map & tempo: Genuine speed, with Ilovethistown likely to burn across and Blameitontheboogie ready to pounce

Punty read:

This is the cleanest win race of the day. Blameitontheboogie has already been backed hard and I can see why - he's got the class edge, the right map, and the sort of profile that says "don't overthink it, just back the thing". Ilovethistown and Dancing Wolf can both make life a bit honest, but the favourite still looks the one.

Only Old Once is the sly one with the inside alley and the place pattern to keep turning up. Zoete's Rock comes back from a spell with enough intent to be worth a look, but the price is one of those that makes a punter feel like they're trying to pay retail for a second-hand microwave.

Top 3 + Roughie ($15.50 pool)

1. Blameitontheboogie (No.3) — $1.40 / $1.08
Bet $11.00 Win, return $15.40
Prob 18.3% | Place: 51.2% | Value: 0.34x
Why The market's already done the heavy lifting, and the horse maps to get the run of the race from a handy gate. This looks like a straight shootout where the class runner can just put his rivals to the sword.

2. Dancing Wolf (No.4) — $12.50 / $2.40
Bet Tracked
Prob 15.4% | Place: 45.2% | Value: 2.61x
Why Big map danger, but the wide-ish setup and the drift make him more of a "can run on if the race collapses" type than a bet. One for the exotics, not the bank manager.

3. Only Old Once (No.8) — $17.00 / $2.90
Bet $4.50 Place, return $13.05
Prob 14.3% | Place: 42.5% | Value: 3.28x
Why The old bugger gets a lovely inside run and looks the best chance of the blowout types to nick a place. Not a screaming win bet, but the sort of old stager who can hang around when younger legs start wobbling.

Roughie: Zoete's Rock (No.2) — $14.25 / $2.60
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.3% | Place: 35.2% | Value: 2.18x
Why First-up and with some genuine ability, but the drift says the market hasn't fully trusted the setup. Could surprise if the fresh legs are ready to roll.

Race 7 – The TAS Taxi Rank

Race type: Class 1, 1150m
Map & tempo: Genuine tempo, but a few key runners are pace disadvantaged and the map is not a picnic

Punty read:

This is a dirty little Class 1 where the market has already gone hunting The Real Man, but the price has shortened into no-man's-land and the map doesn't hand him a royal treatment. Turbo Chook is the model's top pick, yet at the current quote the bet discipline says "sit on your hands, champ". California Flyer and Stroak Of Art are both fair enough runners, but the saver band and the place profile don't give us enough reason to push chips in.

Tikken is the roughie that can lob into the placings if the race gets the right shape, but this is a classic "watch the tote, not your ego" race. If you want action, go and pour another beer and pretend you're in control.

Top 3 + Roughie ($0.00 pool)

1. Turbo Chook (No.2) — $9.65 / $3.10
Bet $15.00 Each Way ($7.50W + $7.50P), return $72.38 (wins) / $23.25 (places)
Prob 20.1% | Place: 52.3% | Value: 2.63x
Why He has the best profile in the race, but the price is no giveaway and the market is asking for too much respect. If he gets luck, he can win, but this is a race to keep in the notebook rather than the wallet.

2. California Flyer (No.6) — $7.20 / $2.45
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.8% | Place: 29.6% | Value: 0.95x
Why Honest enough and the fresh gear could sharpen him up, but the map and price don't line up perfectly. Better left alone.

3. Stroak Of Art (No.1) — $5.20 / $2.00
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.7% | Place: 29.4% | Value: 0.68x
Why He's not hopeless, but the race shape and the odds don't make him a smart play. More likely to be bailed up in the wrong moment than swoop in like a movie hero.

Roughie: Tikken (No.4) — $11.25 / $3.40
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.1% | Place: 25.1% | Value: 1.23x
Why He can run a cheeky race if the speed gets hot enough, and the track combo is okay, but he's one of those loose unit roughies that can have you shouting at the telly for the wrong reasons.

Race 8 – The Stayers' Slog

Race type: Benchmark 60, 1650m
Map & tempo: Slow tempo, with Simply Deep the one they all have to run down

Punty read:

Simply Deep is the obvious anchor here - the market agrees, the map agrees, and the race shape says he should get the run to suit. The key is whether he can hold position without getting dragged into a sit-and-sprint trap, but even then he looks the horse to beat. Always A Winner is the rousing roughie with a real upside look, and Scarletti has been firming too, which tells you the market isn't asleep.

This race is the sort of 1650m synthetic slog that can make ordinary horses look like they need a week off. If Simply Deep is travelling like the data says he should, he can put them away late and make the last leg of the quaddie a lot less stressful than it looks on paper.

Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)

1. Simply Deep (No.3) — $2.69 / $1.30
Bet $10.50 Win, return $28.25
Prob 21.0% | Place: 56.3% | Value: 0.75x
Why Has the best race shape of the lot and the market support is telling you the stable mean business. If he gets through the early part without burning too much fuel, he should be doing his best work late.

2. Always A Winner (No.1) — $12.25 / $3.10
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.7% | Place: 38.7% | Value: 2.07x
Why He maps okay enough for a swooper and the track has shown respect for horses that can stay the trip, but the price is a bit too fancy for a place saver. Better suited to filling the minors if the race goes pear-shaped.

3. Skelmorlie (No.4) — $3.00 / $1.32
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.6% | Place: 38.5% | Value: 0.50x
Why The gear change is interesting and the drift isn't ideal, but he's the type who needs things to fall his way. Not the sort of horse you want to be sweating over at skinny odds.

Roughie: Alpine Trout (No.7) — $14.50 / $3.60
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.6% | Place: 30.4% | Value: 1.84x
Why If the race gets run truly and the leader overcooks it, he can be the one flashing home late. Proper roughie profile - just don't marry him.

SEQUENCE LANES — SINGLE OPTIMISED TICKET

Early Quaddie (R1-R4)

Smart: 5, 4, 3 / 9, 3, 6, 10 / 4, 3, 5 / 1, 2, 4 (108 combos x $0.32 = $35) — 32% flexi
A tidy early quad with two banker-ish legs and two that still need a bit of cover; not bulletproof, but it keeps the ticket alive without turning it into a horror show.

Quaddie (R5-R8)

Smart: 3, 1, 6 / 3, 4, 8 / 2, 6, 1 / 3, 1, 4, 7 (108 combos x $0.37 = $39.96) — 37% flexi
This is the honest version of the late quad: R5 and R6 are the tricky legs, R8 gives you a decent anchor, and R7 is the swing leg that can make or break the whole shebang.

Big 6 (R3-R8)

Smart: 4 / 1 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 3 (1 combos x $2.00 = $2.00) — 200% flexi
Basically a cheeky six-leg postcard from the pub - tiny ticket, massive dream, and enough risk to make a chiropractor wince.

NUGGETS FROM THE TRACK

1 - Rail true, but position still pays
Devonport synthetic with showers around is still about getting into the race early. The inside and on-speed runners have the first crack, and that suits horses like Buzzoffski, Party Day, Blameitontheboogie and Simply Deep.

2 - The market is speaking in a few races, and you should listen with one eye open
Roundle Park, The Real Man, Simply Deep and Blameitontheboogie have all seen proper money. Some of that is justified, some of it is the public sniffing the obvious - but when the map matches the move, that's the good oil.

3 - Don't try to be a hero in the roughie band today
The $20 to $50 roughie zone has been a graveyard historically, so if you want a pop, keep it disciplined and let the roughies be exotics spice rather than the main plan. This card will punish ego faster than a bad mate at karaoke.

FINAL WORD FROM THE DEGEN DEN

This is a card where the smart money is on structure, not chaos. Anchor the day around the obvious ones, keep the roughies on a short leash, and don't get sucked into every market whisper like it's the last schooner before closing time. If the rain keeps rolling through and the rail stays true, the punters who stay patient should be the ones still smiling at the end. Gamble Responsibly.