Tasmania takes centre stage on Sunday, headlined by the Group 3 Hobart Cup which jumps at 4:45pm AEDT, as part of a massive 10-race program. The Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes supports the Hobart Cup and the first race is scheduled for 11:50am AEDT. There are also two Listed events – Strutt Stakes and Thomas Lyons Stakes. The rail is out +6m for the entire circuit and the track is Soft, with light rain expected on Cup Day.
Trent Orwin has done the form to bring you his best bets for day from Hobart, with odds thanks to Palmerbet!
Hobart Racing Tips: Sunday, February 8th 2026
Race 6: Winning Edge Presentations Class 6 1000m – 2:50pm (AEDT)
(7) Geegees Missile is a model of consistency for Brighton trainer Stuart Gandy, finishing on the podium in all nine career starts – four wins, one second, and four thirds. The three-year-old filly carries 54kg in this Class 6 and the drop back to 1000m should be right up her alley. She gets superstar jockey Craig Williams, barrier two, and should be stalking the pace setters. Perfect conditions to notch her fifth victory.
(1) Alpine Thunder is the stablemate to Geegees Missile and is the winner of five races from 15 starts. The five-year-old gelding will thunder forward to take up the running and will ask rivals to catch him. He led throughout last start in a Benchmark 68 Handicap (1100m) and has strong claims again.
(8) Prince Of Khatun has won two of his past three starts and finished second to Swift Force, beating home Geegees Missile. May be forced to work a little more from the wider gate with Alpine Thunder and Ms Tasmania drawn inside.
(7) Geegees Missile WIN
$2.35 (2 Units)
Race 7: Kevin Sharkie Mystic Journey Stakes 1200m – 3:30pm (AEDT)
(8) Press For Boom chased valiantly behind Sanniya last start, falling 1.25 lengths short as both horses hit the line strongly. The John Blacker-trained five-year-old mare has won six of her nine career starts and the price appeals in this on an each-way basis as she is almost double figures. Hoping she can settle midfield and look to let down with a run late at them.
(9) Sanniya was impressive winning the Lady Lynette (1100m) over Press For Boom and now cops gate nine (one scratching so far) as she would love to press forward and take up the running without expending too much energy. She has won five of six career starts for trainer Barry Campbell and the three-year-old filly has won two from three at the distance. Deserves her dominant favouritism but couldn’t take $1.60.
(6) Silver Dagger is knocking on the door with back-to-back runner up performances behind Jaguar Stone and Go Jeanie. Expect her to be more prominent from the inside gate and has each-way claims.
(8) Press For Boom E/W
$9.00/$2.25 (1U/2U)
Race 9: Ladbrokes Hobart Cup 2400m – 4:45pm (AEDT)
(1) Bold Soul will carry 60kg which initially looks daunting, but recent winners Aurora’s Symphony (59.5kg) and Ho Ho Khan (59kg), have carried big weight to win the Cup. Bold Soul is four runs into his preparation and his only appearance here was victory in the 2024 Tasmania Derby (2200m). The distance suits as he is a Flemington winner over 2540m last year and despite failing to beat a runner home at Caulfield last start, he made up a few lengths late over the 2000m which suggested he wants further.
(5) Asva is racing in terrific form for trainer Glenn Stevenson with two victories from his past three starts. His latest was a two-length defeat, finishing second to Bank Maur over 2200m at the track. Drops 3kg on his last run to carry 56kg in the Cup which looks a nice weight. Jockey Kelvin Sanderson reunites with the gelding who won the Devonport Cup (1880m) two starts ago.
(8) Ziryab deserves a lot of respect from the powerful Ciaron Maher stable. Has been placed in all three runs at the trip and despite coming out of the same race as Asva, when beaten 7.45 lengths, there were excuses. Could easily romp in here with 54.5kg and Beau Mertens in the saddle.
(1) Bold Soul WIN
$4.20 (1.5 Units)
