The Group 2 staying event over 2,200 metres was full of surprises as Growl went into the race without any expectations.

The seven-year-old gelding beat De Fine Lago by over four lengths, while winner of the Tasmanian Stakes (1200m) Dream Pedlar, came in third.

The seven-year-old gelding beat De Fine Lago by over four lengths.

Favourite going into the race, the Robert Smerdon-trained Rathsallagh, had an incredibly disappointing run, finishing last in the 16-horse field.

Fellow favourite to succeed at the 2010 Hobart Cup was the five-year-old Bangerang Quikpic who finished in 13^th spot.

It looks as though Growl will go on to race in the 2010 Launceston Cup on the 24^th of February and the last horse to complete the Hobart Cup/Launceston Cup double was Zacielo in 2004.

2010 Hobart Cup Results

The 2010 AAMI Hobart Cup will be the eighth race to be held at the racecourse and Rathsallagh is going into the 2200m event as odds-on favourite at $4.50.

Rathsallagh is going into the 2200m event as odds-on favourite at $4.50.

Starting from barrier nine, the Robert Smerdon-trained mare comes into the Cup with the last two starts as wins, and will be ridden by Glen Boss, the Cox Plate-winning jockey. However the 16-starter field is full of some top-quality competitors.

Bangerang Quikpic and Zavite follow closely as favourites at $6.50 and $7.50 respectively. The 2009 Melbourne Cup-starter Zavite is a strong contender having won over $1 million in prize money in his rich career.

Running from the inside barrier is six-year-old Ballack. The Danny O-Brien gelding will be hoping the barrier one advantage will be on his side as he enters the 2010 Hobart Cup at $17. The outside barrier will be host to Beven Heights, and the gelding is entering the run at $151, for punters looking for a lucky break.

Closing up the odds, along with George Blacker-trained Beven Heights, is Maybe French and Mr Isaac both also running at $151.

For the most recent markets on the 2010 Hobart Cup, and all other races being held today, head to SportsBet now!

The Group 3 handicap’s final field has been announced with 16 starters, half of which are from New Zealand, all out to compete for the lucrative $400,000 prize money.

Taking the coveted inside barrier is Danny O’Brien’s Ballack who has not placed in his last three runs so will be hoping to profit from the starting advantage. Out wide is Beven Heights, who is next to Assent; the two came in second and first respectively at the Summer Cup (2100m) on the Elwick track.

Dream Pedlar is one to watch for Monday’s 2200m race having won on the course last December at the Tasmanian Stakes (1600m). The Troy Blacker-trained gelding has not proved himself recently over longer distances, however, Blacker will be hoping the horse will better last year’s third spot at the Hobart Cup.

Rathsallagh is entering the 2010 Hobart Cup with two recent wins under her belt.

The New Zealand horse Rathsallagh is entering the 2010 Hobart Cup with two recent wins under her belt. The five-year-old mare won a 2100m restricted mare race and the Brian Green Handicap at 2400m proving herself as a strong long-distance runner.

Assent and Mr Isaac are looking to repeat their finishes at the Ingham Cup (2100m) in January where they took the first and second spots respectively. The David and Scott Brunton-trained Assent also comes in off a win at the Summer Cup (2100m) also held at Elwick.
2010 Hobart Cup Final Field

As feature race on the AAMI Hobart Cup Day, the Group 3 open handicap over 2,200m, forms part of the highly anticipated Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival.

There are 30 nominations for the $400,000 race with five-year-old Davcon drawing attention in the lead-up to the 2010 Hobart Cup, having four wins to his name.

Another horse to watch is Bangerang Quikpic, trained by Darren Weir, who is entering the race with some recent good runs under his belt.

Victorian trainer Peter Moody has three nominees in Fairygem, Flying Monty and Testa Jesta, while fellow elite trainer Gai Waterhouse has two representatives in Music Maestro and Rabbuka.

Other feature races on the day are the Wrest Point Strutt Stakes ($80,000) and Tatt’s Group Thomas Lyons Stakes ($80,000).

The barrier draw for the 2010 Hobart Cup will take place on the 3rd of February.

2010 Hobart Cup Nominations