Run And Carry Primed For Devonport Chase Test

The group racing spotlight shifts to Devonport on Tuesday with eight ripping heats of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase (452m).

A host of topline local sprinters are set to tackle the $25,000-to-the-winner series while a sprinkling of interstate chasers are also poised to contest the Devonport flagship.

Leading that interstate charge is Victorian trainer Matt Lanigan, no stranger to success on the Apple Isle having guided Zipping Bruiser to victory in the Group 1 Hobart Thousand in 2016.

And following a slick 25.26 debut trial at Devonport between races last week, Lanigan is confident kennel charge Run And Carry is set for a forward showing on Tuesday.

"Run And Carry is a speed dog that should suit Devonport perfectly," Lanigan said.

"After a couple of starts at Geelong I have always had the Devonport Chase in the back of my mind for the dog. He takes a few steps to get motoring but can run fast sectionals which you need at Devonport.

"He's over there with Ian and Eileen Thomas who are great friends and I know the dog is in really good hands."

Run And Carry, a son of Barcia Bale, has won eight out of 10 with bold wins recorded at Geelong, Warragul and Healesville.

Lanigan has taken to knowing the form in Tassie and believes the local line-up for this year's Group 3 series is as strong a contingent as he can remember.

"There is no real standouts in all the heats – there's a heap of top chances in all of them," Lanigan said.

"I've thrown Run And Carry in at the deep end but he's earned his chance at the race and last week's trial showed he can run the time needed to be very competitive."

Ht 1 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase – (Race 2 12.36pm)

Zevatron (3) is the first runner of the interstate brigade looking to take honours away from the locals. The brindle dog is a noted good beginner and if he can mirror similar efforts from wins at Shepparton it should see the dog in the finish.

Dilston trainer Pat Ryan has three charges engaged throughout the eight heats and Splotched (1) looks ideally drawn to run the race of her short career in the opening heat. The Sh Avatar bitch has recorded 2 from 2 over the 452m trip. She has great early zip and from box one she should be up there on early.

Rusty The Crow (4) looks the main danger.

Ht 2 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase – (Race 3 12.52pm)

The second heat will see the return of Wynburn Lethal (2) from a short break. She loves Devonport, having won five races from 13 starts over the trip with a personal best of 25.40. Box draws prove no barrier for the fawn bitch and with fresh legs should see a real big performance.

NSW visitor Hartley Entry (4) mixes his distances, but he can still sprint well; a transition of his one-turn track form can really see him being the one to give them something to chase with a clear run.

Ht 3 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase – (Race 4 1.11pm) 

Run And Carry (1) has been mixing it well against the top class and a recent trial indicates he will give the inside draw every hope to qualify into the group final. His last two runs at Geelong have been in best of day times. All he needs is clear room to ignite and display his strong mid race abilities.

Highland Chief (5) is a superb local greyhound, and he will give this field a shake at his best. The son of Aston Dee Bee has won four from seven over the 452m trip and has a fast 25.29 to his credit.

Sacred Shadow (8) is a grand campaigner which is looking to make the rich final for the second time.

Ht 4 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase – (Race 6 1.51pm)

Drumroll Please (6) is a proven winner from an outside draw though like his litter brother Run And Carry he is more favourable at the finish with sectionals showing he will finish the race off strong.

Bridwood Marshal (7) is facing a big task but looks to be bouncing back to form putting two wins on the board within a week. He is a very versatile galloper and should get a nice run from the outside draw on the outside of Drumroll Please – both look to be out to contest a bold two-dog conquest.

Gypsies Luck (3) is looking to return into favourable form though looks well tested in this race.

Ht 5 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase – (Race 7 2.07pm)

The speed looks to come from both inside and outside in He's A Minstrel (1) and Wynburn Sheean (7) which are both blessed with early toe. Wynburn Sheean is by far the class runner of the pair winning five races on the track with a personal best of 25.30 and looks to be awfully hard to overhaul.

Twisted Reality (2) is a middle-distance chaser dropping back in distance. Only two wins from five starts over the sprint trip, he needs everything to go his way with a clear run to factor in the equation.

Ht 6 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase – (Race 8 2.34pm)

Recall (7) and Kintyre (8) look to set up a promising contest in this heat and both runners hold respected claims. Recall is the youngster coming through the grades and his early form here gives him the chance to run a great race. The main question is can he advance right into open company?

Kintyre is running in the best form to date and looks to make it four straight wins. Terrific race.

Ht 7 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase – (Race 9 2.49pm)

Reigning Tasmanian Gold Cup winner Sprint Gordon (2) is displaying white-hot form for this first group races assignment.

His last start effort in Hobart was the final preparation to be on target and a personal best of 25.56 is what shines to see him be one to beat coming from the inside draw.

Leica Prayer (8) is runner-up in last year's final and needs to be at her best to show a strong hand.

Fabulous Baroque (7) is well classed in this qualifier and will be a strong factor in the run home.

Ht 8 Ladbrokes Devonport Chase – (Race 10 3.17pm)

Tasmanian Sprint champion Siberia (1) has the draw and the form to claim the eighth and final heat.

Unbeaten in three runs over the trip he looks hard to hold out.

Casino Ace (5) and Savage Victor (6) are the next best to run on courageously though the favourite looks almost unbeatable on facts and figures.