Matt Reid's Wednesday's racing preview at Devonport (09/09)

The Devonport Racing Club (DRC) hosts its final meeting until December with a nine-race card at Ladbrokes All Weather Spreyton on Wednesday.

The meeting has attracted just 66 acceptors, and with similar numbers trialling at Longford on Tuesday, it seems many stables are preparing for a return to grass racing in Launceston next Wednesday night.

Punters may not be of the same mind, as 11 starting price favourites have saluted over the past two Wednesdays in Devonport, and there will again be several pronounced favourites throughout the day.

Ozonica romped to a five-length victory a fortnight ago when he returned from a spell at his home track, and the Adam Trinder-trained 4yo will carry most punters’ support in the opening race.

Ozonica will face just four other runners in the Class 3 (1150m), which looks a perfect progression following his last start win in BM64 company.

“To see him put a race away, rail up and extend to the line was really pleasing and gives us good options going forward,” said Adam Trinder following Ozonica’s first-up win.

Ozonica has drawn barrier 2 and will be ridden by last season’s Premiership-winning jockey Erica Byrne Burke, who is off to a slow start in her title defence.

After recording 86 wins in 25/26 with a 21.2% winning strike rate, Byrne Burke has just one win from 22 starts in 26/27, though she has recorded nine minor placings.

Wednesday may well be the momentum shift for Byrne Burke, who has a ride in all nine races and several very strong chances throughout the day.

Trainer Glenn Stevenson has opted to back up last week’s Golden Mile winner, The Longest Yard, in the 1880m The White Wardrobe Open Handicap.

The Longest Yard cemented his Devonport Cup berth with that win and now steps up to the Cup distance against a small but interesting field that includes Azonto and Merlin Beach, who bring winning form in lower grades.

“He ate up that night, and you wouldn’t have thought he even went around,” said Glenn Stevenson.

“He had a quick break on the grass, and we brought him back in on Monday. He’s bucking his brand off so we’re happy to back him up.”

After setting a new 1150m track record at his previous start, Hartman will likely start a short favourite in the Maveric Workwear & Embroidery Open Handicap over the same distance.

Hartman drops 3kg from his track record run and faces similar opposition, though he will be up against another Devonport record holder in Alpine Wolf, who holds the 1009m record.

After Wednesday, the next meeting in Devonport will be the Sheffield Cup program on 18 December, the penultimate meeting at the track before the 2027 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup.

Wednesday’s card begins at 12:25 with Colin McNiff on track for the Tasracing Live coverage.