Albury Racing Tips 18 Aug — can Jungle Lights go on with it?
Hobart Racing Tips 19 Aug 2026 — can Southern Auroras stay unbeaten?
Southern Auroras turns up at Hobart with the sort of profile that makes you stop mid-coffee and re-read the page: two wins on the bounce coming into a Class 5 handicap, drawn to land on the speed, and with actual, repeatable course comfort rather than a one-run headline. That is the spine of today’s meeting, and everything else kind of organises itself around it.
We’ve got five races on the Hobart turf (first at 11:44), with a couple of staying-leaning contests early, two maidens where patience is required, and a veteran handicap closer where map and timing matters more than raw talent. These Hobart racing tips are written for getting set early, making one or two proper bets, and letting the messy races go through to the keeper without burning the bank.
Hobart — the setup
There’s enough course history in the key players today to use it properly, not just as trivia. A few runners bring five-plus visits to this track, which is where the “specialist” chat becomes fair game, while a stack of others only have one or two goes here and that stays in the “data point” bucket.
Limited note on going: the racecard doesn’t list a going, so I’m treating it as neutral and leaning harder on map, recent form patterns, and proven Hobart competence.
Ladbrokes Review [Updated March 2026] | Ladbrokes.com.au Pros & Cons
- Info Hub
- Mates Mode
| Horse | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Auroras | 5 | 2 | 4 | 40% | 80% |
| Rubbleonthedouble | 5 | 2 | 2 | 40% | 40% |
| Geegee Strawberry | 10 | 2 | 4 | 20% | 40% |
| Them’s The Breaks | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0% | 80% |
| Zewinna | 6 | 1 | 2 | 16.67% | 33.33% |
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Darmanin | 41 | 6 | 19 | 14.63% | 46.34% |
| C Newitt | 21 | 6 | 9 | 28.57% | 42.86% |
| E Byrne Burke | 88 | 17 | 36 | 19.32% | 40.91% |
| Sam Kennedy | 57 | 6 | 20 | 10.53% | 35.09% |
| K Sanderson | 38 | 6 | 14 | 15.79% | 36.84% |
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K P Hamilton | 8 | 3 | 5 | 37.5% | 62.5% |
| Imogen Miller | 16 | 4 | 7 | 25% | 43.75% |
| S Gandy | 119 | 10 | 43 | 8.4% | 36.13% |
| Jessie Bazan | 58 | 5 | 20 | 8.62% | 34.48% |
| J K Blacker | 173 | 19 | 44 | 10.98% | 25.43% |
Race-by-race
Race 1: Trc Life Member Kevin Sharkie Plate (C1) — 11:44, 2297m
The opener reads like a proper staying C1 where one horse has done most things right without being a moral. I’m with Don Turboas. The form string (0-22124) says he’s been around the mark for a while, and the Hobart record backs it up: four runs here for one win and three placings, with an average finish of 2.25. That’s not “loves the track” fluff, that’s repeated competence at this circuit.
The knock is the weight: he’s lumping 130.0, and barrier 6 means he probably has to work a touch early to find his rhythm over the 2297m. Still, when a horse keeps finding the finish, I want to be on before he gets dumped into something harder.
The danger is Honest Warrior. He’s the stable that does very well here (K P Hamilton wins 37.5% of their Hobart runners across eight starters, and places nearly two in three), and the horse has a win and another placing from three Hobart runs. From gate 4 he can land a cleaner run than Don Turboas and make the weight tell late.
Staking: Win bet Don Turboas. If the market leans hard into him late, a small saver on Honest Warrior makes sense because of the stable’s Hobart strike.
Race 2: Winning Edge Presentations Mdn Plate — 12:17, 1203m
Here’s the question: who actually wants to win a maiden, and who is just taking up space? I land on Tsuyoi Kitsune as the horse with the cleanest upside. He’s a 3yo with just two starts (92) and that profile often jumps when the penny drops, even if gate 13 forces Baker to make a decision early. Baker’s not an automatic “back him anywhere” jockey at Hobart, but he rides the track well enough to get a horse into a race.
I don’t want to overcook the Hobart angle here because much of it is thin-sample. Tsuyoi Kitsune has two course runs without a win and one placing. That reads as “has handled it”, not “owns it”.
The main danger is Alfarino, mostly because the form (9-2) says he’s already trending the right way. He’s placed on his only Hobart start, which is a positive, and if the tempo gets hot out wide his draw 8 gives him options to stalk rather than burn.
A rougher worth a mention for multiples is Precious Illusion from gate 3. She’s had one run here and didn’t place, but that inside alley in a 1203m maiden can turn average horses into competitive ones when the field overcomplicates it.
Staking: Small win bet Tsuyoi Kitsune, smaller again each-way Alfarino if price allows. This is not a “go hard” race.
Race 3: Trc Life Member Ron Brooks Hcp (C5) — 12:52, 1531m
The market will try to talk you into the bridesmaid horse, but I’m not buying it as the best play. Southern Auroras is the one I want to build the day around. She comes in off a pair of wins (3-34211), she’s drawn gate 2 to own the map, and her Hobart record is the real deal: five runs here, two wins, four placings. That is a horse who repeatedly finds her race at this track.
The recent form stacks too. Over the last 90 days she’s gone two-from-two overall. Small sample, sure, but it matches what the eye would expect from that form string: she’s in a purple patch, and these are the races you take rather than talk yourself out of.
Tassie Power sits as the danger because he has six runs at Hobart for two wins and three placings. He’s not some blow-in guessing at the corners. From gate 7 he’ll need intent from the rider to get into the right spot, and if he’s posted deep he’s the one most likely to do the work that makes Southern Auroras look better than she is.
Don’t ignore Geegee Strawberry either. Ten Hobart runs is proper experience, and the inside draw (1) can turn him into the pesky on-pace horse that refuses to go away.
Staking: Win bet Southern Auroras. Anchor her in any multis.
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Race 4: Aviso Tas Insurance Brokers Mdn Plate — 13:29, 1531m
Race shape first: this looks a midfield bunch where a horse that can hold a position from a sensible draw will get first crack turning for home. That points me straight to Vinraam from gate 6. The form (532) says he’s edging closer, and he’s already handled Hobart twice for two placings. That’s not enough to crown him a track specialist, but it’s enough to trust he won’t lose the race at the corners.
Sam Kennedy is a positive booking too. He doesn’t win a stack here, but he places often enough to take seriously, and this horse screams “put him in the fight, don’t get cute”.
The danger is Unfiltered (gate 8). He’s been thereabouts (24236), and with C Newitt aboard you know he’ll be ridden like he belongs. Newitt is the best course jockey on this card by strike: 6 wins from 21 at Hobart and he hits the frame often enough to keep you honest. If Vinraam gets caught three-wide early, Unfiltered can be the one who gets the smoother run into the race.
I can see some giving Sir William (gate 1) another chance because he’s inside, but his Hobart record is one run and no placing, so I’m happy to demand proof.
Staking: Win bet Vinraam. Exacta saver Vinraam with Unfiltered if you like a bit of cover, but I’m not unloading in a maiden.
Race 5: Vale Nigel Schuuring Hcp — 14:04, 1750m
The contrast makes this race: one camp brings the old legs that know every inch of Hobart, the other brings the in-form winner who keeps doing enough. I lean to the latter. Rubbleonthedouble has the current pattern you can trust: 3-60161, and he’s got genuine Hobart form with five runs for two wins. That’s not a fluke, that’s repeatability, and the 115.7 on his back is the sort of weight that lets a horse take luck out of it.
The obvious pushback is class and pressure. If they overdo it early, the run-on types come into it, but looking at this field there isn’t an army of natural speed. Rubbleonthedouble maps to get a cosy run from gate 3 and be the one launching at the right time.
The danger is Blonde Star. She’s got three Hobart runs for one win, and while her average finish at the track isn’t sparkling, she’s the one with the upside in the weights and the right sort of rider to nurse her into the race. If Rubbleonthedouble hits the front too soon, Blonde Star can be the one stalking and pouncing.
Staking: Win bet Rubbleonthedouble. If you’re playing safe, take him as a banker leg rather than trying to be a hero in the exotics.
The plays
If you only do one serious thing today, make it Southern Auroras in Race 3 (12:52). Five Hobart runs is enough evidence, and the combination of gate 2, a two-win streak, and that 80% place rate at the track is exactly what you want anchoring a meeting.
The value lean is Vinraam in Race 4 (13:29). Two Hobart visits for two placings reads like a horse that turns up and competes, and the 532 form line says he’s ready to stop teasing and start winning.
For multis, the banker is still Southern Auroras. If you want a second leg, Rubbleonthedouble (14:04) has the right mix of current winning habit and genuine Hobart experience to keep you out of trouble.
The each-way style play, if you prefer safety over glory, is Don Turboas in the opener. Four runs here for three placings and a win makes him the most reliable “turn up and run well” horse early.
One course angle worth holding: when the meeting gets to the 1500m plus races, horses with repeated Hobart exposure are outperforming the ones still learning the shape of the track. Keep that in mind the next time a lightly-raced visitor gets crunched in betting at this venue.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Hobart today?
Hobart kicks off at 11:44 with the Trc Life Member Kevin Sharkie Plate (C1) over 2297m.
Who are the top jockeys at Hobart on this card?
C Newitt is the standout by strike rate among the regulars today: 6 wins from 21 rides at Hobart. E Byrne Burke rides the track constantly (88 rides) and keeps hitting the frame, while A Darmanin has the best place rate of the high-volume group (19 placings from 41).
Who are the trainers to follow at Hobart today?
K P Hamilton is the efficiency play: 3 wins and 5 placings from just 8 Hobart runners. In terms of volume and repeatable presence, S Gandy (119 runners here) and Jessie Bazan (58 runners here) both place plenty of their Hobart runners and they’ve both got live chances across the program.
What are the Hobart best bets today?
The Hobart best bets on this meeting are Southern Auroras (Race 3, 12:52) as the main win bet, and Rubbleonthedouble (Race 5, 14:04) as the next-best for a straight-out play or multi anchor.
Where can I find the best odds for Hobart races?
Shop around with your preferred bookmakers close to jump time. Odds feeds weren’t available in the data pull for this meeting, so treat any early prices as provisional and check the live markets before you bet. For more Hobart racing tips and Hobart predictions, you can also jump through from the racing pages on RacingBase.
Responsible gambling
Support & Resources: If gambling is causing harm, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au (24/7 support).
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
Affiliate disclosure: RacingBase may earn a commission if you click bookmaker links and open an account, at no extra cost to you.
