The feature race at Hobart this afternoon is the Hobart Cup (2400m), which has attracted a strong field for the 2026 edition.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Hobart Cup.
2026 Hobart Cup Runner Preview:
1.Bold Soul: Bold Soul should take a power of beating here. He ran last Saturday at Caulfield where the race shape wasn’t really suited to him but he kept chasing and was quite good in defeat. Love him up to 2400m, more genuine tempo, will be strong late…like him.
2.Taramansour: Taramansour steps up in trip after a first up run over 1700m at Caulfield where he just found them a bit sharp but kept chasing and was a definite pass mark behind Taken. Much better suited at this distance range and has class on his side.
3.Bank Maur: Dominant in the Summer Cup and Froggy would love to win this race. Just not quite sure he is good enough to repeat the dose in a race with more depth.
4.Strawberry Rock: Lacked change up speed in the Bagot is better suited in a truly run 2400m. His best is good enough to be dangerous.
5.Asva: Tried his guts out in the Summer Cup but was no match for Bank Maur. Not sure he can turn the tables and don’t think that is the A1 form.
6.Distrustful Award: Distrustful Award steps up to 2400m after racing over 2150m in the Sydeston at Launceston when off speed and kept finding the line in defeat. Not sure he is good enough to win but is a must for exotics.
7.Wineglass Bay: Tried hard in the Summer Cup but was held and for mine, I can’t see him running 2400m.
8.Ziryab: Forgive and forget the Summer Cup run when given a sore back, sitting wide no cover for the trip. But, I think the jury is out on him.
9.Blonde Star: Was okay late in the Summer Cup but I have a few others ahead of her.
10.Just A Needs: Ambulance a good chance of beating her home.
11.Ashfall: Did too much work in the Sydeston but is not up to these.
12.Zulu Angel: Can’t entertain him.
13.Iffycould: Flying for a lower benchmark race. But not here.
2026 Hobart Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Bold Soul
Hobart Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BOLD SOUL (NZ) | Patrick & Michelle Payne | Jake Noonan | 8 | 60kg |
| 2 | TARAMANSOUR (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Luke Currie | 11 | 60kg |
| 3 | BANK MAUR | Richard Laming | Craig Newitt | 7 | 59.5kg |
| 4 | STRAWBERRY ROCK (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | John Allen | 13 | 57.5kg |
| 5 | ASVA (NZ) | Glenn Stevenson | Kelvin Sanderson | 12 | 56kg |
| 6 | DISTRUSTFUL AWARD | Peter Luttrell | Ms Chloe Wells (a) | 1 | 56kg |
| 7 | WINEGLASS BAY (IRE) | John Blacker | Jabez Johnstone (a) | 4 | 56kg |
| 8 | ZIRYAB (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Beau Mertens | 10 | 54.5kg |
| 9 | BLONDE STAR | Imogen Miller | Ms Erica Byrne Burke | 5 | 54kg |
| 10 | JUST A NEEDS | John Luttrell | Troy Baker | 2 | 54kg |
| 11 | ASHFALL | Ashley Meaburn | Liam Riordan | 3 | 54kg |
| 12 | ZULU ANGEL | John Blacker | Jackson Radley (a) | 6 | 54kg |
| 13 | IFFYCOULD (NZ) | John Keys | Jett Stanley | 9 | 54kg |
Hobart Cup Odds
2026 Hobart Cup Speed Map
I think they’ll ride Ziryab with intent and lead from a middle draw, with Bank Maur and Wineglass Bay settling handy from gates nearer the inside. Asva and Strawberry Rock could get the cart across via Ziryab.
