One of the two Darren Weir-trained visitors in Friday night’s 2018 Tasmanian Derby field are dominating the markets on the staying clash with Civil Disobedience hot favourite to salute at Hobart.
The Darren Weir-trained Civil Disobedience is favourite in 2018 Tasmanian Derby betting for this Friday night at Hobart Racecourse. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Running under the lights as Race 6 at 6:54pm (AEDT), this summer’s Listed $150,000 Schweppes Tasmanian Derby (2200m) field features just the seven three-year-olds.
Two of those are Weir-trained including the current $2.10 favourite in Tasmanian Derby betting at Ladbrokes.com.au, the rails-drawn Raise The Flag colt Civil Disobedience.
Having his first run at the distance, the top fancy will have John Allen aboard from barrier one as he chases a third win from four starts.
After a 2000m Flemington win on New Year’s Day, Civil Disobedience was last seen finishing third with 60kg on his back in another race at the same track and distance on January 20 when working to the line well even under the big weight.
The extra distance and drop back to 57kg at set weights on Friday both work in favour of the favourite who also has the blinkers coming off for the first time.
Second favourite in the Tasmanian Derby odds this summer at $4.60 is then the other Weir-trained fancy Wolfendale who chases a third win on the trot.
Drawn gate three with Dean Yendall booked for the ride, the lightly-raced but consistent son of Astronomer Royal has proven experience at the track having won the Listed Hobart Guineas (2100m) here by a half-length on January 28.
Having saluted in the traditional Tasmanian Derby lead-up, Wolfendale now gets the chance to prove his staying ability again and looks right in the mix after the late charge last time out.
It is a wide open edition of the event on Friday evening with a further three chances under $10 for the win including Kugelblitz ($5) in just his third career start.
Champion hoop Damien Oliver has the mount on the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Savabeel gelding who comes off a maiden win at Werribee over 2030m from mid-January.
Kugelblitz blitzed that by nearly four lengths so should be eating up the 2200m in the Tasmanian Derby after a freshen-up and is likely to be up front looking to go all-the-way.
Rounding out the single-figure fancies at an equal $7 are then Double You Tee and Pennstock, both placegetters last time out.
Longford horseman John Blacker saddles-up well-bred Written Tycoon colt Double You Tee whose two latest starts produced seconds in the Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) and Hobart Guineas (2100m) at the track.
Getting out over the extra metres this week gives the up-and-comer the chance to turn the tables and finally get the win, making him a genuine danger at a nice price.
Pennstock meanwhile has Craig Newitt aboard again after the duo combined for a Hobart Guineas third last time out.
The Hinchinbrook gelding is prepared by top Spreyton-based trainer Barry Campbell, but probably looks priced right up against this field.
Check out the latest Tasmanian Derby 2018 odds below, betting now open at Ladbrokes.com.au.
