The long-awaited opening of the new $12.5 million Elwick thoroughbred track on Friday will highlight a big week for both codes of Tasmanian horse racing.
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The 28m wide StrathAyr circuit promises not only an infinitely better racing surface but a better viewing spectacle.
The track has been raised in several areas so the horses will no longer half drop out of sight in the back straight.
Feedback on the surface from jockeys and trainers after recent track gallops and trials has all been positive.
The opening meeting features the $150,000 Tasmanian Derby, $50,000 weight-for-age Summer Cup and $30,000 Carbine Club 3YO.
Five interstate trainers have Derby entries - Anthony Freedman (Rogues Point), Gerald Ryan (Judicator), Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young (Call My Agent), Richard Laming (Skyt) and Robert Kingston (Sir Dana).
Rogues Point is reported to be a definite starter, as is Tasmania's outstanding filly Still A Star.
The Freedman name hasn't appeared on the Tasmanian Derby honour roll since Anthony's brother Lee won with Party Boy in 2001 and Phantom Thief in 2005.
Still A Star will be attempting to become the first filly to win the Derby since Betwixt, trained by Mick Price and ridden by Linda Meech, in 2009.
Prior to that, no filly had won since local star Royal Eclare, trained by George Dixon and ridden by Gary King, in 1977.
Elwick racegoers will also get to see The Inevitable and Mandela Effect have an exhibition gallop during the meeting.
The week's racing action starts at Mowbray on Wednesday night with the $50,000 Ladbrokes Stakes where there are only six acceptors but they include proven horses Hellova Street, I'm Wesley and Blaze Forth and rising star Gee Gee Secondover.
Harness racing also has a double-header, with a Mowbray harness meeting on Friday night leading into the Devonport Cup on Sunday night.
SCORCHER TIPPED FOR DERBY DAY
The Derby Day temperature in Hobart is forecast to reach 38 degrees but the late start to the meeting could help make conditions a little more comfortable.
The first race is scheduled for 2.22pm and the last for 6.37pm.
With light showers forecast for later in the day, the temperature will hopefully be on the way down by the time racing gets under way.
VETERAN CHASING SIXTH CUP START
Trainer Steve Davis is keeping his fingers crossed that veteran pacer Black Centurian can make the field for the $30,000 Devonport Cup on Sunday night.
If he does, it will be the sixth year in a row that he has contested the 3020m marathon on his home track.
Davis will learn his fate when acceptances are done on Tuesday morning.
"He's been entered but I'm not sure whether he'll get a start," the trainer said.
"I've been trying to work out a list of horses that might be in the race and I came up with eight or nine that have a higher rating than him.
"But, all going well he'll be there and trying to get a bit closer."
Black Centurian's unbroken run of cup starts began in 2015 when he finished ninth to Star Chamber. He's since run second to Outback Mach, second to Pachacuti, fourth to Riverboat Jasper and eighth to Isaac.
"He's working as good as ever," Davis said.
"He was possibly unlucky (when second to Koolaz Elvis) in the St Marys Cup as the horse in the death dragged him back a few places mid-race.
"Then at Scottsdale (when third to Ideal World and El Jays Mystery) he was three wide for 1-1/2 laps and nothing made ground."
If Black Centurian does get a run, his task will be made a little easier by the absence of two of his toughest rivals.
Early indications are that Ryley Major and Izaha will both miss the discretionary handicap to contest the $25,000 Hobart Cup under free-for-all conditions five days later.
