3 minute read
Talented sprinter Galenus makes his return to racing in Tasmania in an open handicap over 1100 metres in Launceston on Friday night and the Scott Brunton-trained gelding has the form to make it a winning return to home turf.
In Brief
- Galenus was an eye-catching fourth at Flemington.
- The Scott BrUnton-trained gelding has a great record over the short trips.
- Trainer warns Deroche could be in need of the outing.
Galenus comes off a last-start fourth at Flemington in a benchmark 78 handicap over 1000 metres in which he finished off strongly to finish just over three lengths from the winner Scorched Earth that has since gone and won a BM84 at Caulfield.
The Magnus five-year-old is only lightly raced having had nine starts for five wins and two minor placings, so he is extremely consistent and would warrant starting favourite in this small but select field.
He has had two starts over 1100m for a win and a second and he is unbeaten on the Launceston circuit over the trip.
The obvious danger is recent Newmarket Handicap winner Deroche that hasn't started for seven weeks and according to her trainer Barry Campbell she needs this run as she heads towards the Lady Lynette than the Bow Mistress.
"When you see her in the mounting yard on Friday you will see why I had to give her a run before the Lady Lynette which is her next main mission," Campbell said.
"The mare is in terrific shape, but she isn't showing much rib and she has to give a couple of really good sprinters five kilograms, so she is no good thing to win the race.
"I'm not saying she can't win but she does have a couple of things against her, but she is very genuine."
On Friday night she comes up against some quality sprinters including former Newmarket winner Gee Gee Secondover that was a game second to Algernon in Hobart last start, which followed a fifth to Deroche in the Newmarket, but he was beaten less than a length.
Gee Gee Secondover will be ridden by three-kilogram claiming apprentice Taylor Johnstone that means the Team Wells-trained gelding will carry 1.5kg less than Deroche, which is a 3.5kg turnaround on what they carried in the Newmarket.
The open sprint is race seven on the 10-race program but the best bet on the card could come in the following race, a benchmark 68 handicap over 1420m.
Hamogany scored an impressive win over 1400m at Longford on New Year's Day with apprentice Erica Byrne Burke aboard and he would only need to replicate that effort to win again.
He meets a much stronger line-up, but he hit the line with quite a bit in reserve at Longford and according to his trainer the gelding has trained on since that run.
