Devonport Chase Hopefuls In Three Way Battle

A gripping three-way contest looms in race eight, the Ulverstone Pet Foods Invitation (452m), at Devonport on Wednesday afternoon.

With the heats of the Group 3 Devonport Chase just under three weeks away, some of the state's most talented sprinters are readying for a tilt at the $25,000 to-the-winner series.

On Wednesday, Jillian Stamford's prolific winning sprinter Stop Line takes his place from box six, the son of St. Pierre remarkably having missed a place just once in 25 Devonport appearances.

Boasting a brilliant personal best time of 25.21, Stop Line takes his place off a last start fourth at Hobart in track record time behind Stanley Gordon.

Winner at 26 of 44 overall, Stop Line tackles some formidable opposition on Wednesday afternoon, including Paul Hili's Nitro Sambar drawn in box three.

The son of Dyna Double One's six Devonport starts have returned four wins and two seconds, and on the strength of his last start third behind Raging Ralston at Hobart last Thursday, looks ready to run a forward race on Wednesday.

The main trio of chances are rounded out by the speedy Atley Quick for Sonia Martin out in box eight, the son of Barcia Bale stamping his Devonport Chase claims with a blistering eight-length 25.46 victory at the venue last week.

Owned by Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting, Atley Quick is beginning to amass an imposing record, now with 10 wins and nine placings from 24 starts.

And while kennel charge Stop Line heads Stamford's chances on Wednesday, the Westbury trainer is also represented by Leica Prayer (race four) and Prince Fabio (race 10).

Leica Prayer, a daughter of Dyna Double One, has posted a slick 25.57 at Devonport, a time that will have her right in the thick of things for Wednesday's engagement from box two.

And while Stop Line and Leica Prayer are two leading chances, the third of Stamford's runners, Prince Fabio, looks to have the task ahead in the final race of the day from box seven.

A tidy last start second at the track, Prince Fabio tackles brute youngster Twisted Reality on Wednesday, the Blake Pursell-trained youngster returning from a recent Victorian campaign.

Capable of running blistering times, Twisted Reality will start rock bottom odds for the final event of the card.