3 minute read
On of the most exciting days of the Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer of Racing takes place in Launceston on Wednesday where Mystic Journey has her first race in almost two years in the state.
R1 Fashions For Fillies 21st February Benchmark 84 Hcp, 1600m
Scott Brunton has half of the six runners. QUEEN LA DIVA (2) placed at WFA level at her first run for the stable. She looks very well placed back to benchmark level, but the stable's number one rider David Pires sticks with SIR SIMON (3). The grey was forced to absorb a lot of pressure in front over 2100m and now drops back to the mile where he has won three of his four attempts. CORONATION GLADE (6) has returned with two dominant wins and has earned his crack at this class. Impossible to fault his form and UP WIND (4) was rattling home over 1350m in Devonport and is better suited out to this distance.
R2 Fashions On The Field Oaks Day Maiden, 1400m
ENDURED (11) is racing consistently but tending to find one or two better. That was the case again last start in Devonport. She has a more favourable draw than HERO OF ROMANI (5) who comes through the same race and covered a bit of ground first-up. LOUISVILLE (1) was backed at a price last time here and that nearly came off. He's in the mix again with a repeat of that and NEEDS TOASTING (8) loomed to win in that same race but didn't quite finish it off. ROCKYMOUNTAINHIGH (14) was fair at Longford when running third as favourite but that race is yet to really hold up form wise. KARNAK KID (6) has been solid in three career runs and both LAGO APPROACH (7) and FIFE AND DRUM (4) should appreciate the rise in distance given the way they finished off over 1100m.
R3 Bill Dunstone Memorial Maiden, 1100m
HOT RELATION (2) has only had two starts, both at Listed level as a 2YO. Blinkers replace winkers for his return, but he appeared to be asked for a bit more than DIRADO (3) when they met in a recent Longford trial. The latter having her first start for trainer Andrew Roach with a host of gear changes and an inside draw. SHE'S APPROACHING (6) was in the market on debut in Devonport but was never on the track and it may pay to forgive that. AVIDA (8) towed the field up to the breakaway leaders and boxed on for third in a solid Tasmanian debut. GEE GEE REAL DEAL (10) has had two trials leading into her return and was caught wide in her only run as a 2YO. She'll need luck from the draw but her sole start to date has proven to be a solid form race.
R4 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup 24th February Mdn/cl1, 2100m
Blinkers go on THE RISK FACTOR (9) who draws awkwardly but is knocking on the door of a race like this. SPIRIT OF WIORA (1) has always raced like he is looking for this trip, particularly last start where Kyle Maskiell had to go for the whip shortly after leaving the gates. SARDEGNA DEEL (6) has run her best races in Launceston and bounced back to form after a poor run as a beaten favourite in Hobart three starts ago. Both CAPTAIN MORGAN (3) and SIR DA VINCI (7) have well and truly tested the patience of punters. The latter gets out to this distance for the first time and has the blinkers back on.
R5 Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas, 2100m
SWOOP DOG (1) was too good in the Tasmanian Guineas which is the main race the majority come through. He was the strongest late at 1600m and gives the impression he'll only be better out to the staying trip. FIRST ACCUSED (2) was on-speed there after starting favourite and stuck to the task with ONE LOTTO (5) grinding home into third. Hard to make a strong case for any outside of the trifecta there. TURK DELIGHT (7) and NORTHERN SPIRIT (10) come through the same 3YO race in Devonport which has produced some form as Weldborough finished an unlucky fourth on Saturday night. Blinkers go on Turk Delight and Northern Spirit beat him home there with an eye catching second. Connections must be keen to get her out to 2100m, tackling the boys here as the only filly in the race.
R6 Ladbrokes Stakes, 1200m
It will be almost two years to the day since MYSTIC JOURNEY (5) last raced in Launceston, it was at this same meeting where she won the Lady Lynette in 2019. She's thrown in at the weights under the conditions for this race and Luke Currie coming down to ride is a sign that she's here for more than just a track gallop. GEE GEE SECONDOVER (2) was second in this race last year behind Hellova Street. He's much better suited at this distance than the 1400m we saw last start. BLAZE FORTH (1) has a big weight swing in his favour for his recent defeat by LIFFEYBEAU (3) who is racing well but his trainer Michael Trinder has made no secret of the fact he thinks he's better at 1100m.
R7 Ladbrokes Lady Lynette, 1100m
Star mare DEROCHE (1) returns on a path to the Bow Mistress and Vamos. She's won nine of 14 career starts but only one of four first-up runs. The market was the guide that she wasn't at her best in Hobart but she's easily the best horse in the race and this look a suitable race to resume in. GEE GEE LANETT (2) was a big drifter and raced accordingly last time. She'd appreciate the sting out and a track favouring the front. BARBIE'S WITNESS (4) and SIDOROVA (6) are two mares with a strong turn of foot who will be running on from off the pace. ENTRAPPED (7) is on the up but this is a different class for her. She draws the rail for the second consecutive start.
R8 Jack Chambers Memorial Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1400m
MISS EXCESS (5) made good ground late in Devonport. She draws off the track and will likely go back but the racing pattern should be known by this stage of the night. OCEAN ESSENCE (1) has proven he can carry weight and should be nearing peak fitness third-up. GEE GEES QUEENIE (3) didn't have a lot of luck in the same race and did have some market support that day. She meets Ocean Essence 3kg worse at the weights. APPRAISE (4) hasn't shown his best this campaign and is yet to win past 1200m but the extra distance may be what he's looking for having failed to fire over the sprint trips. Blinkers come off REANN'S DIAMOND (7) who caught the eye running home hard behind the smart Hela last time. SHEWEARSTHEPANTS (2) had been racing well in this grade before finding the Devonport Cup too hot last start.
R9 Steve's Liquor Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1200m
OUR SHINKANSEN (3) was caught wide last time in Devonport, finishing out of the placings but that race has produced three subsequent winners. Last time he raced at this T&D he beat the 3YO Cup winner. MERCIABELLE (6) returned from a very long layoff with a game second where she did have some market support at a price. Second-up after a big break is always a query which is the same scenario JUST RUN (1) faces. BORDER PROTECTION (2) has placed six times from seven starts over the Launceston 1200m. TENNESSEE SKY (7) and EQUILAGO (4) give Dylan Clark three of the seven runners. They chased home Hannah's Song in a leader dominated affair last time but she since went on to win again and it's worth watching the market for any lead on GOBSMACKED (5).
