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Eight-races will be decided in Launceston on Saturday night.
Eight-races will be decided in Launceston on Saturday night, the first meeting under lights since 16 December.
This program originally contained the Listed Launceston Guineas but the calendar was reshuffled following the cancellation of the Tasmanian Guineas in Hobart, with that race to now be run this coming Wednesday.
The Launceston circuit has tended to favour horses racing on the inside through the last couple of months of night racing, and though we had a very fair racing surface for the day meeting here last Friday, it will be interesting to see how the track plays in this timeslot.
The rail is +9m 1200m-WP; +7m remainder with a forecast for fine conditions.
R1 Ladbrokes Punters Marquee At L'ton Cup Maiden, 1220m
UPSET (3) has been around the mark of winning a maiden placing five times from eight starts. Whether Kyle Maskiell can work across the field early from a poor draw may decide his chances. WILD STYLE (7) led and faded at Devonport, chopping out PERKINS (3) in the process with FIGHTING FRANK (1) making ground from well back. Back to the grass should suit the latter. BOSS CHEYENNE (4) went around a silly price on Monday and appeared to have her chance. FUN 'N' FROLIC (9) should hold a forward position from the draw with the blinkers on. She's generally tackled some of the best of her own age through her short career.
R2 Craig Hanson Memorial Class 1 Hcp, 1220m
CORONATION KEITH (2) and AND BEYOND (1) each have a perfect record from one start with a bit of form from those behind them. They've drawn opposite sides of the track and with a bit of speed in the race that will make things hard for the Hanson-trained runner. I'M A FLOOZY (8) just ran out of ground in Devonport with REWARD ACHIEVER (9) also in a tight finish. The run two starts back here for I'm A Floozy reads very well. LE MONDE DE LUCAS (3) and SELLICK (4) trialled in good time for the day at Longford and WE NEED A STAR (5) resumes, likely to need swoopers to have their chance given the wide draw.
R3 Ray Trinder Memorial Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1420m
SO ASTOUNDING (4) was scratched from Devonport on Monday. His only win came first-up and he doesn't find the strongest race to kick-off in. Worth watching the market. GEE GEE MANPOWER (3) and BOGAN BILL (2) both never got warm in Devonport but up to 1400m and back on the grass should suit. SON OF FAITH (5) is another suited by the rise in distance, he's normally pretty solid over the Launceston 1400m. NEEDS AMORE (9) was racing well before a flop at Longford and now the blinkers go back on. It's been a while since we've seen her best, but this is the easiest LA DERNIER FILLE (1) has contested for a while and BRIMONDO (10)'s last two runs at the T&D have been excellent.
R4 Kreglinger Wine Estates Corporate Marquee Mdn/cl1, 1620m
Pretty deep race this one. NEED A GIN (1) had good support and won well in Devonport. Awkward draw to overcome but he hit the line with authority when the gap came. WELDBOROUGH (4) should strip fitter for the run on the same day over 1650m where he probably wasn't suited by the way that race played out. HAS THE LOOK (10) finished in front of him there. INDIGO GIRLS (11) was a Longford winner but has form that ties in from the start prior and the benefit of the inside draw. RHODE AWAY (3) and OLYMPIC HONOUR (2) will grind away somewhere near the speed. LADY FOXWEDGE (8) gets the blinkers first time and KAPPOUI HIME (12) was an all the way winner last time we saw her but that was over a month ago.
R5 Book To Dine At Ttc And Win An Mg Zs Suv Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1620m
The progressive SUPALOPO (5) was scratched Monday to run here. This is a decent jump from Class 1 company, but he ran past the Guineas winner with ease last time we saw him. Blinkers did the trick for LUCKY LIL (10) at Longford who should appreciate the rise to a mile. ELISAVET (7) is another last start winner who drops 1.5kg for the jump in grade. She's yet to win on the grass but has placed twice here. STORMONT (3) draws off the track but has returned with a pair of solid performances. SHAMPZ AGAIN (4) is another that was scratched from Devonport and his last start second behind White Cliffs reads well given his subsequent third in the Devonport Cup. MYWORDIS (2) has a good record at the T&D and maps for a great run. Claims can also be made for ARGYLE BEACH (1), MISS EXCESS (6), RAVAGE (8) and GEE GEE FLASH TOO (12) in a race that runs deep if looking past the Trinder runner.
R6 Buy Tickets Online For Launceston Cup 2021 Class 1 Hcp, 1420m
LOOK TO THE FUTURE (4) has had a month off since working home solidly over this distance. She trialled well early in the week, but generally gets back so will want to see some evidence that horses can make ground. HERMAN'S BELLS (3) attacked the line very well in a strong form race last time and I doubt the rise to 1400m is a negative. Darmanin sticks with him. ALFIE ALL TALENT (1) was in the right part of the rack to win at 1200m and has been kept fresh for the rise in distance. HOLY DIAMOND (6) was better second-up for Rowan Hamer and should do little work from the inside draw.
R7 Southern Cross Stock Feeds Benchmark 74 Hcp, 1220m
HANNAH'S SONG (5) is gunning for four straight wins, two of which have come at the T&D. Drops 5kg from her most recent win and second in that race won on Monday. ARTUSO (2) is another that gets weight relief from a third in Devonport on Cup day. He rarely puts in a bad one but has drawn the widest barrier. TOUGH BOY (3) was solid here last week. He's back in trip after three 1400m runs which perhaps isn't ideal on a quick turnaround. APRIANO (1) will appreciate the drop in class but it's a query how well he's going. Has a raft of gear changes for this. MAROCH (4) has his first run for Steven Davis having started his career in Tasmania with Barry Campbell. His NSW form reads pretty well finishing behind a few subsequent winners.
R8 Fashion's On The Field Ladies Day Feb 21st Benchmark 74 Hcp, 2150m
SH'BOURNE RENEGADE (1) had halved in price before being scratched from the Devonport Cup. Clearly that wasn't the plan, but a recent trial win suggests the setback wasn't huge. He's won twice at the Devonport 1880m but never this trip. BANCA SYD (7) was first of a few of these home in the Brighton Cup including RAGHU (2), C'EST BON (5) and OUR DECLARATION (6). I thought C'est Bon may be the one to take most improvement from that given her lead-up. ETHICAL DILEMMA (3) and WINEGLASS BAY (9) exceeded expectations in the Devonport Cup and BANSTEAD (4) bounced back from an off run prior to the Longford Cup and stretches out to this distance for the first time for this stable.
