Australia: Bello Beau stands out in Tasmanian Guineas
The locally based geldings Bello Beau and The Inevitable will be heavy favorites to win $85,600 stakes at a mile at Hobart Racecourse in Australia on Thursday evening.
Bello Beau is a standout selection against eight rivals in the Tasmanian Guineas for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds. A winner of 6 of 8 starts, Bello Beau is unbeaten at tracks on the island of Tasmania, and was fifth and second in two starts at tracks in the Melbourne area last March and April.
In fairness, Bello Beau was beaten a neck in the $723,800 Vobis Showdown at six furlongs last April and has not lost since. The Showdown is restricted to horses sired by stallions based in the state of Victoria.
The current winning streak includes races at 5 1/2, six, and seven furlongs. The Tasmanian Guineas will be Bello Beau’s first start at a mile and may be a test of stamina considering he sets the pace.
Russian Roni, a shipper from mainland Australia, is the biggest threat to Bello Beau. A winner of 3 of 8 starts, including a race at a mile, Russian Roni also runs near the front.
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Any sort of speed duel would help Royal And Tough, who has won two minor handicaps at a mile at Tasmanian tracks in the last six weeks as a stalker. The Tasmanian Guineas is Royal And Tough’s stakes debut.
The Inevitable will be an odds-on favorite against four rivals in the Tasmanian Stakes for older horses. A 7-year-old, The Inevitable was second by a neck at 2-5 in the 2022 Tasmanian Stakes, and is unbeaten in three starts, all since mid-November. The winning streak includes minor stakes at six and seven furlongs in Tasmania.
Rebel Factor and First Accused, second and third to The Inevitable in the Conquering Stakes at seven furlongs at Hobart on Dec. 14, are part of the small field in the Tasmanian Stakes.
First Accused, second in the 2021 Tasmanian Guineas, is likely to set the pace. The Inevitable won the 2019 Tasmanian Guineas.
Hobart has an eight-race program beginning at 10:17 p.m. Eastern, or 7:17 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.