Star fillies have serious challenger in $100,000 Tasmanian Guineas

Mystical Pursuit and Still A Star ran the quinella in the 3YO Trophy a fortnight ago and were $2.25 equal favourites when tab.com.au posted its opening Tasmanian Guineas market earlier in the week.

The Gary White-trained gelding Heaven's Bonus, who chased them home in that race, was the only other runner under double-figure odds at $5.50 and has since firmed to $5.

There was a lot of merit in the performances of all three horses.

Mystical Pursuit, who had missed a lead-up run, came from an awkward position to win first-up over 1400m and Still A Star ran the quickest last 600m while finishing a close second.

However Heaven's Bonus was clearly unlucky. He was held up nearing the turn and again in home straight before going down by a half length.

The son of Toronado looks ideally suited by the step up to 1600m.

His sire was a champion miler in Europe and his half sister Heaven's Delight ran fourth to Pateena Arena in the 1600m Thousand Guineas as well as being placed over 2100m (beaten a nose).

Although yet to be tried over the distance, Heaven's Bonus had no trouble running out a strong 1400m in the Sires Produce at Mowbray in March at his last run before a spell.

That win justified the decision of owner-breeders David and Louise Adams to turn down what White described as "good money" for the horse.

"They showed a lot of confidence in him and it's obviously to our benefit now," the trainer said.

Heaven's Bonus has earned just over $70,000 in seven starts and will pick up another $60,000 if successful on Saturday night.

The tab.com.au market is: 2.25 Mystical Pursuit, Still A Star; 5.00 Heaven's Bonus; 15.00 Argyle Beach; 21.00 Speed Angel; 41.00 Tee Jay Frankie; 81.00 Mywordis, Our Little Ted.

Leading trainer Scott Brunton has a strong hand in the $100,000 Tasmanian Stakes, with Mandela Effect and Hellova Street heading the early market.

Both horses have had support since betting opened, with Mandela Effect in from $2.10 to $2 and Hellova Street from $3.40 to $3.20.

Still A Star's stablemate Speed Force ($4.20) and Zatacla ($8) are the only other runners in the market.

Prolific winner Pachacuti returns to racing at Sunday night's Mowbray harness meeting but trainer Todd Rattray warns the 10-year-old will probably need the run.

"He has been working all right but he's still pretty fat at the moment," Rattray said.

"If he gets back to where he was before he went to Sydney, he'll run in all the big races coming up but we'll just have to see how he comes up.

"Hopefully, everything is all right with him and he stays sound.

"He has had problems with his feet but working him at home on the sand definitely helps."

Pachacuti, a winner of 35 races and almost $400,000, will start off 20m in the 2200m Discretionary Handicap.

It will be his first outing since July when unplaced at Menangle.

He strikes a good field including Golden Apple placegetter Dasher Houli who shares the 10m mark with Im Compliant, Remember Joe and Poker Storm.

Golden Apple finalist Sea Double Ugrant heads a handy group off the front.

Connections are keeping their options open for class stayer Speed Force, a dominant topweight for next Wednesday's $100,000 Devonport Cup at Spreyton.

Speed Force is also an acceptor for the weight-for-age Tasmanian Stakes at Mowbray on Saturday night and is a chance to run in both races.

Part-owner Ron Riley said that trainer Bill Ryan had indicated the horse "might back up if he pulls up well."

"But Bill will have to take the weights into account - the horse does have a lot more weight than all the other runners," Riley said.

Speed Force has 59.5kg and, apart from Beaufort Lad on 55kg, the rest of the field is on the minimum of 54kg.

However it does look an easier race than last year when Speed Force was runner-up to Eastender carrying 54.5kg.