Matt Reid’s Wednesday best bets at Hobart (05/08)

The 2026/27 thoroughbred season begins in Hobart on Wednesday with a nine-race card.

The rail moves to +3m after being at true for the previous meeting on 19 July. The weather forecast points towards a 4-5 rated surface.

The first of the day is set for 11:45.

See the best bets from Matt Reid, courtesy of Tasracing.com.au.

Best bet

Race 6 – 1. Alpine Thunder

Not many horses in this field, I think, are suited at 1000m, but Alpine Thunder is one that ticks the box. I thought his first-up run at 1200m had merit. He was stuck in the wrong part of the track and was just swamped late by horses in the better ground. He looks the likely leader, and over 1000m I’d expect Bree Temple to put the handlebars down and prove very hard to catch.

Next best

Race 9 – 3. Southern Auroras

I was really impressed by the first-up run of Southern Auroras, who won by a space in Class 1 company at the track and distance. Now a 5yo, I think she’s in for a big campaign, and her second behind Cripps prior to a spell reads well with that horse now winning half his 10 starts. This looks a nice race for her at the right time, and she should get a great transit from the low draw.

Best roughie

Race 4 – 10. Sky Eagle

Megalita is an even money favourite for the fourth, and while I’ve got plenty of time for her, I think this race runs much deeper. Sky Eagle ran a couple of bottlers in Hobart over unsuitable distances to open her campaign, and I’m forgiving of the Devonport run last start where she was jagged to the tail early and followed the field around. She’s at the right trip now fourth-up and visors are often a key gear change for the Blacker stable. I think she’s worth something each-way at a big price.

Selections

Race 1: 3-1-2-4
Race 2: 2-1-5-12
Race 3: 6-1-2-8
Race 4: 10-2-1-5
Race 5: 4-3-5-2
Race 6: 1-2-5-6
Race 7: 1-3-2-11
Race 8: 7-5-3-4
Race 9: 3-11-6-1

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