Sunday, 31 May 2026
No more jumps at this meeting today.
Punty's Punts
Race type: Maiden Plate, 1650m
Map & tempo: Slow pace; Cold Aza Beer and Called Through are the ones with the map shape, and the backmarkers need a miracle and a tempo collapse
Punty read: This is a proper little patience test to kick the day off. Cold Aza Beer gets the inside and the blinkers again, which is exactly the sort of setup you want in a race that can turn into a sit-and-sprint on synthetic. Called Through has been held up and interfered with, so he's got the right excuses to bounce back, while the others are mostly hoping the race falls in a heap.
The danger horse on paper is Awesome Orphan if they crawl early and sprint late, but at the end of the day this looks like a pair of obvious players and a lot of "maybe if". Vostok Station is the roughie by price, but at the moment he's more "write your own ticket" than honest smokey.
Top 3 + Roughie ($15.00 pool)
1. Cold Aza Beer (No.2) — $2.35 / $1.32 🏆 WINNER
Bet $15.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$22.50
Prob 29.2% | Place: 40.2% | Value: 1.09x
Why Gets the rails run, has the blinkers again, and this pace looks slow enough for him to sit midfield and pounce instead of needing luck.
2. Called Through (No.1) — $2.70 / $1.40 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 31.1% | Place: 42.2% | Value: 1.14x
Why Repeatedly found trouble last prep, and in a race like this he's the sort who can be bailed up early but still finish over the top of them if the gaps come.
3. Light Work (No.5) — $6.35 / $2.80 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 13.2% | Place: 39.4% | Value: 0.87x
Why Can run on a bit, but this doesn't look fast enough to gift the swoopers the race.
Roughie: Vostok Station (No.3) — $29.50 / $7.50 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 2.9% | Place: 17.2% | Value: 0.79x
Why Needs the race to turn into a complete wobble-up; otherwise he's just along for the ride.
Race type: Maiden Plate, 1150m
Map & tempo: Slow pace; Colonel Bogey should sit in the right spot while Houlihan and Cool As You need a clean launch and a bit of luck
Punty read: Houlihan has been hammered in the market, and you can see why with first-time blinkers and the inside draw, that's the sort of move that usually means the yard is here to win, not just make up the numbers. Colonel Bogey is the one with the cleanest profile though, because he can sit just off them and doesn't need the race to become a demolition derby.
Cool As You and Leo Davinci are the blowout types, but both are going to need the race to unfold perfectly. Beldorado and I'm A Grunt are the sorts that make the form guide look busy without actually scaring anyone. If you're betting this race, you're basically deciding whether to trust the steam or the map.
Top 3 + Roughie ($12.00 pool)
1. Colonel Bogey (No.2) — $2.10 / $1.22 🏆 2ND
Bet $12.00 Win — ✗ Lost, net -$12.00
Prob 32.1% | Place: 60.0% | Value: 0.96x
Why The obvious anchor - maps to get every chance, has been around the money, and this field doesn't have a lot of scary late finishers.
2. Houlihan (No.10) — $3.30 / $1.30 🏆 WINNER
Bet Tracked
Prob 19.4% | Place: 41.9% | Value: 0.91x
Why The money's been serious, and the first-time blinkers plus the inside alley are the right ingredients, but the price is getting a bit skinny for my liking.
3. Cool As You (No.3) — $4.90 / $1.55 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 20.5% | Place: 43.8% | Value: 1.07x
Why Has the talent to be in the finish, but the map isn't screaming "bet me" and he still needs a couple of things to go right.
Roughie: Leo Davinci (No.6) — $21.25 / $3.90 🏆 3RD
Bet Tracked
Prob 3.5% | Place: 31.7% | Value: 0.89x
Why Wide-ish gate, a few gear fiddles, and a map that asks a lot; he can finish on if they overcook it, but that's about the size of it.
Race type: Class 4, 1150m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace; Blameitontheboogie is the boss, Garcon D'espoir has the steam, and Dancing Wolf can land in a juicy stalking spot
Punty read: Blameitontheboogie is the sort of horse that makes punters lazy because he just keeps doing his job. He's short enough to make your eyes water, but the stable and the pattern are dead set honest. Garcon D'espoir has had serious market support and the blinkers are off, which usually means they're trying to freshen the picture up and find another gear.
Dancing Wolf is the sneaky one for the exotics because the map says he should get a softer run than last start, and this track can be a thief if you've got the right spot and a bit of cover. Get 'em Warrior and Runaway Statement are the value types if the speed gets a bit spicy, but this still looks like a race where the class runners should generally hold the tape.
Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)
1. Blameitontheboogie (No.1) — $1.36 / $1.07 🏆 WINNER
Bet $4.00 Win — ✓ Won, net +$1.44
Prob 47.0% | Place: 74.3% | Value: 0.76x
Why The horse to beat, no two ways about it - the consistency is rock solid and the stable keeps finding the right spots.
2. Garcon D'espoir (No.2) — $6.90 / $1.65 🏆 2ND
Bet $4.50 Place — ✓ Won, net +$3.15
Prob 12.3% | Place: 40.1% | Value: 1.26x
Why Heavy market support plus blinkers off is a proper setup change, and if he lands near the lead he can absolutely go close.
3. Dancing Wolf (No.4) — $8.35 / $1.95 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $2.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$2.00
Prob 12.2% | Place: 42.6% | Value: 1.50x
Why The map says he gets a softer run from barrier 2, and last start's excuse was legitimate enough to forgive.
Roughie: Get 'em Warrior (No.7) — $15.75 / $2.90 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 5.0% | Place: 32.5% | Value: 1.41x
Why If the speed gets messy, he can keep finding under pressure and nick a slice.
Race type: Benchmark 60, 1350m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace; Kireina Marubrah is the leader and the rest need to be riding the race, not just watching it
Punty read: This is the first proper messy one on the card. Simply Deep is the horse the model wants, and that makes sense because he can sit in the right part of the race and doesn't need to do all the work. The issue is the race shape is open enough that a few of these can look alive at some point and then get found out when the pressure goes on.
Whippin Piccadilly is the one for the map nerds - wide gate, but a decent class profile and a jockey who can get him in the hunt if they don't burn too hard early. Star Territory, Stardarmus and Laugh With Me all have enough ability to make trouble, but this is one where the track and tempo can separate the pretenders from the real contenders in a hurry.
Top 3 + Roughie ($13.00 pool)
1. Simply Deep (No.3) — $4.95 / $1.90 🏆 3RD
Bet $13.00 Each Way ($6.50W + $6.50P) — Cashed, net -$0.65
Prob 17.4% | Place: 39.8% | Value: 1.29x
Why Maps to get the right run in a genuine-speed race and has the right bit of class for this grade.
2. Star Territory (No.4) — $4.40 / $1.75 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.5% | Place: 34.2% | Value: 0.91x
Why Good enough to be in the finish, but the map isn't giving us free money and the race shape feels a bit too open.
3. Whippin Piccadilly (No.1) — $5.95 / $2.10 🏆 4TH
Bet Tracked
Prob 15.7% | Place: 36.5% | Value: 1.01x
Why Tough draw, but he's got enough ability to survive it if the tempo is honest.
Roughie: Turk Boy (No.2) — $19.50 / $4.20 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 3.4% | Place: 31.7% | Value: 1.10x
Why The gear changes are interesting, but the market has not been kind and he needs things to break his way.
Race type: Class 1, 1350m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace; Respite should get a decent run despite the gate, while Tikken and I'm A Machine are the main stalk-and-swoop types
Punty read: Respite is the right each way play here because the form is tidy enough and the race isn't brutal up front. Tikken is the short-priced punter trap - can win, sure, but you're not getting rich and the price doesn't exactly scream "steal". I'm A Machine is the one I don't want to leave out completely because the backmarker profile can be handy if they go a touch quicker than expected.
There's also a bit of market noise around Gie It Laldy, which tells you the stable means business, but the locked selections have landed on the cleaner two. In these Class 1s, it's usually better to keep one foot on the brake and one on the gas rather than going all-in like you're in Fast and Furious.
Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)
1. Respite (No.8) — $4.40 / $1.85 🏆 2ND
Bet $7.50 Each Way ($3.75W + $3.75P) — ✓ Won, net +$2.25
Prob 17.8% | Place: 41.0% | Value: 1.18x
Why Has the right kind of map for a race with a few moving parts and should be launching late if the speed holds.
2. Tikken (No.2) — $3.83 / $1.55 🏆 WINNER
Bet Tracked
Prob 15.5% | Place: 36.5% | Value: 0.61x
Why Honest enough, but at the price you're paying for the bloke at the front of the queue rather than a value play.
3. I'm A Machine (No.3) — $8.45 / $2.50 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $3.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$3.00
Prob 11.4% | Place: 28.1% | Value: 1.20x
Why The kind of backmarker who can swoop into the money if the tempo gets even slightly honest.
Roughie: Too Much Too Soon (No.7) — $9.15 / $2.90 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.9% | Place: 31.9% | Value: 1.09x
Why Not the worst chance in the world, but the map and the price don't line up quite enough for me.
Race type: Class 1, 1009m
Map & tempo: Hot pace; Gladding, Dina Tycoon and Party Day are the burners, and the race can get ugly fast if they overdo it
Punty read: This is the sort of sprint where the front runners can either steal it or set it up for a swooper. Gladding is the model's anchor because he can roll forward, has the right gear tweak, and maps to control a decent chunk of the race. Wild Dancer is the market mover, but he's short enough now that you need to forgive a few things that the price isn't forgiving.
Mel's Street Above and Stroak Of Art are the interesting late players if the leaders go to war and leave the door open. Hot And Shameless is the wild card roughie from a postcode no one wants. In a race like this, it's basically a 1009m game of chicken - whoever blinks first gets cooked.
Top 3 + Roughie ($8.50 pool)
1. Gladding (No.1) — $4.70 / $1.90 🏆 3RD
Bet $8.50 Each Way ($4.25W + $4.25P) — ✓ Won, net +$0.43
Prob 19.1% | Place: 44.3% | Value: 1.27x
Why The map is kind to him, the gear tweak is sensible, and he's the one most likely to control the tempo if he jumps cleanly.
2. Dina Tycoon (No.5) — $6.60 / $2.35 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.2% | Place: 28.6% | Value: 1.19x
Why Honest enough and has the right sort of speed, but the race looks set up for a bit of hurt and he can get sucked into the battle.
3. Party Day (No.6) — $6.15 / $2.30 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.9% | Place: 32.2% | Value: 1.01x
Why Could be right in the mix if he finds the front, but there are enough dangers around him to keep the wallet closed.
Roughie: Peak A Boom (No.9) — $33.50 / $6.00 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 1.8% | Place: 19.1% | Value: 1.01x
Why Needs a total pace meltdown and a few things to fall over, which is a lot to ask even in a sprint like this.
Race type: Benchmark 72, 1009m
Map & tempo: Hot pace; The Longest Yard should get the perfect tow, while Cherokee Dancer and Thoros Of Myr are the class runners in the right lanes
Punty read: This one looks like a proper speed war with a few horses wanting the same front-end real estate. The Longest Yard is the horse I want because he maps to get the right run without doing any of the donkey work. Cherokee Dancer is a beast on raw ability, but at the price he's the sort that can make you feel like you've been mugged if he finds one better on the day.
Bold Instinct has had the money and is the value runner the model likes to keep on the radar. Shy Guy, Miss Keeds and Stars In The Night all have a bit of sting in them if the hot pace turns the race into a stretch duel. This is a sprint for cool heads and warm wallets, not the other way around.
Top 3 + Roughie ($8.50 pool)
1. The Longest Yard (No.4) — $4.10 / $1.60 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $8.50 Each Way ($4.25W + $4.25P) — ✗ Lost, net -$8.50
Prob 19.6% | Place: 43.5% | Value: 1.13x
Why Gets the prime stalking run in a hot-speed burn-up and can pounce when the leaders start wobbling.
2. Cherokee Dancer (No.1) — $3.35 / $1.37 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.7% | Place: 41.9% | Value: 0.78x
Why Classy enough to win this on raw talent, but the price is tight and the map isn't handing him anything for free.
3. Thoros Of Myr (No.3) — $4.50 / $1.70 🏆 WINNER
Bet Tracked
Prob 17.7% | Place: 40.2% | Value: 1.00x
Why Genuine chance, but he needs the race run to suit and the price isn't screaming go-bro.
Roughie: Quicken Up (No.6) — $13.25 / $3.50 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 5.5% | Place: 28.7% | Value: 1.15x
Why If the leaders go too hard and leave a door open, he's the one who can run through it late.
Race type: Benchmark 60, 1880m
Map & tempo: Slow pace; Skelmorlie and the staying types should get every chance, while the backmarkers need the race to have a bit of shape
Punty read: The market's leaning Toganmain, but the model wants to side with Skelmorlie, and I can see the argument. This is a slower-run staying race where clean position and the ability to unwind late matter more than flash. Always A Winner and Scarletti are the main dangers, and if you want a roughie with a sniff, Thonatus is the one with the best path to something better than his price suggests.
The trick is that a slow tempo can flatten the deep closers, so you want runners who can settle without getting buried and still kick when asked. Thin Red Line is a sneaky one for the exotics, and Wholesome is the sort of horse that can make the minors look ordinary if the race turns into a war of attrition.
Top 3 + Roughie ($9.00 pool)
1. Skelmorlie (No.3) — $3.65 / $1.50 🏆 3RD
Bet $7.00 Each Way ($3.50W + $3.50P) — ✓ Won, net +$0.35
Prob 18.6% | Place: 41.8% | Value: 1.01x
Why The model's anchor in a race where staying ability matters, and the map gives him a fair shot to grind them into the turf.
2. Always A Winner (No.1) — $6.35 / $2.20 🏆 2ND
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.2% | Place: 38.0% | Value: 1.10x
Why Solid enough to be a player if he gets the right trip, but the slow tempo can make these races a proper pain.
3. Scarletti (No.2) — $6.80 / $2.25 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet $2.00 Place — ✗ Lost, net -$2.00
Prob 11.4% | Place: 38.6% | Value: 1.11x
Why The sort who can sit close enough and keep grinding when a few others start paddling.
Roughie: Thonatus (No.7) — $14.25 / $3.70 🏆 UNPLACED
Bet Tracked
Prob 5.7% | Place: 29.5% | Value: 0.99x
Why If they overdo it up front or the race gets a bit messy midstream, he's the one who can sneak into the frame.
Sequence legs are the picks-engine's authoritative choice, rendered from the persisted ticket.
Smart: 2,1,5 / 2,10,3 / 1,2,4,8 / 3,1,4,9 (144 combos x $0.24 = $35.00) -- 24% flexi
Sequence legs are the picks-engine's authoritative choice, rendered from the persisted ticket.
Smart: 8,2,3,7 / 1,6,5,10 / 4,3,1,6 / 3,2,1,7 (256 combos x $0.31 = $80.00) -- 31% flexi
Sequence legs are the picks-engine's authoritative choice, rendered from the persisted ticket.
Smart: 1 / 3 / 8 / 1 / 4 / 3 (1 combos x $2.00 = $2.00) -- 200% flexi
The day's multi leans on three win legs across the card.
1 - Cold Aza Beer (Race 1, No.2)✓ Won — $2.35
2 - Colonel Bogey (Race 2, No.2)✗ — $2.10
3 - Blameitontheboogie (Race 3, No.1)✓ Won — $1.36
Meeting Stats
Selections
Punty's Early Mail
Rightio Loose Units, Devonport Synthetic has copped a shower-or-two day, a filthy little crosswind and the rail true, so this is the sort of card where track position and tidy rides matter more than Hollywood runs from the clouds. If you get shuffled wide in these conditions, you might as well start studying the pub menu.
MEET SNAPSHOT
Track: Devonport Synthetic, 8-race card
Rail: True
Official going: Synthetic, expected to play fair but a touch on-pace friendly
Weather: Shower or two, 9°C, humid, with nasty NNW wind and it feels bloody freezing
Early lane guess: Best lanes should sit in the first half of the track; leaders and stalkers get the first crack
Tempo profile: A couple of crawl-and-sprint maidens early, then the middle of the card turns into genuine and hot-speed burn-ups
Jockeys to follow:
Kirra-Lee Lane, keeps popping up on live rides like Whippin Piccadilly and Cherokee Dancer, and she knows how to save ground when the wind's doing dumb stuff
Codi Jordan, lands on a stack of key speed rides and can turn a good map into a stolen race
Erica Byrne Burke, plenty of live mounts across the card, and she's got the sort of book that can nick a race if the tempo goes right
Stables to respect:
J K Blacker (6 runners), loads of live chances across sprints and middle trips, and the stable's got enough firepower to matter here
Barry Campbell (5 runners), a proper player on the synthetic with a few map horses in the right races
Adam Trinder (3 runners), always dangerous at Devonport, especially when the race shape gives his runners a decent sit
Punty's take: This meeting screams "position, position, position". The short-course races are where the map matters most, and the hot wind can turn a standard sprint into a donkey derby if the leaders overdo it. The maidens are a bit of a grind, but once you hit the 1009m and 1000m stuff, it's all about who can roll forward, hold a spot, and not get trapped in the cheap seats like a bloke with one schooner too many.
The other big story is the market smoke. Houlihan and Garcon D'espoir have been snapped up, and the money for Wild Dancer, Simply Deep and Gie It Laldy says somebody thinks they know where the bodies are buried. Sometimes the market's bang on, sometimes it's just chasing its own tail like a Staffy after a sausage. Today, I'm siding with the horses whose map and form actually line up with the cash.
What it means for you: Don't get greedy chasing every roughie in sight. This is a place-first sort of day, with the clearest win chances up top and a few each way plays when the map and the price line up properly. The synthetic can make good horses look ordinary if they're buried wide, so keep your powder dry for runners with a clean sit and a proper excuse last start.
The banker lanes are the races where the favourite has a genuine map edge or the shape is simple enough to trust. The chaos races are the ones with hot speed, wide barriers, or a bunch of drifters that don't all want the same thing. That's where you protect, not posture. No hero stuff unless the price is doing a backflip for you.