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One of the biggest weeks of the year in Launceston starts on Sunday with the running of the Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Oaks program.
Along with the $150,000 Listed feature, the two Magic Millions races on the card are a precursor to the Yearling sales at Qwercus Park on Monday.
Still A Star was the only local representative in the Oaks in 2020 and again the Tasmanian horses are outnumbered despite the absence of dominant Strutt Stakes winner, Hela.
Turk Warrior will be a very short favourite in the Magic Millions 2YO race but it will be exciting to see him in action again and with rumours of a sale to Hong Kong, local fans may need to enjoy him while they can.
The rail is in the +1m position on Sunday, last used on 9 December where it was tough to make ground out wide and it appeared a clear advantage to race towards the inside and up on the speed. It's worth noting however that was a night meeting, with the first race scheduled for 14:25 on Sunday.
R1 Unique Doors & Windows Maiden, 1100m
Gee Gee Real Deal (8) had strong betting support to open the card on Derby Day and finished third in a very tight finish. She's been around the mark in races like this but has an awkward draw to overcome. First starters Azara (7) and I'm Back (3) caught the eye at the Longford trials with very similar runs, but time honours of that pair went the way of Azara by about three lengths. She was a $20,000 purchase from a Group winning sire that Star Thoroughbreds know very well. Lake Bled (9) disappointed in Hobart after leading with a big pre-race drift a firm indicator that may occur. She could be worth another chance. Stablemate Sunset Gun (10) was kept under wraps at the trials but as a relation to Launceston Cup winner Genuine Lad, she may be better over further.
R2 Winning Edge Presentations Class 1 Hcp, 1100m
Sirene Stryker (2) is a mare that has had a few issues but has plenty of ability. She's won first-up but the last time she raced off a break she was unplaced as $1.60 favourite. Looked after at the trials and she should find a good spot from the inside draw. Hot Wired (1) was as much as $13 into $3.10 in Hobart before being beaten a head. The blinkers went on there but I'm not sure back to 1100m at this stage of the campaign is ideal. Fun 'N' Frolic (4) should put the handlebars down and have a better job of holding on in front over 1100m than the 1400m of last start. GEE GEES DOUBLE YOU (6) and Gee Gee Double Hot (7) are likely to get back and run on. Black Magic Woman (3) may find this a bit sharp even first-up and Wild Style (5) has seen her last start win hold up in reasonable fashion.
R3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Day 24th Feb Mdn/cl1, 1600m
Endured (4) broke her maiden at start nine in dominant fashion last time we saw her. That was a month ago though and she's unproved at this distance. Herman's Bells (2) and Stelladoni (5) rounded out the trifecta behind So Astounding last time. It's fair to say both horses had their chance with the winner racing three-wide without cover. Mariposa (7) found the Strutt Stakes far too hot and this will be more to her liking provided that wasn't a gut buster. Abbie (9) settled out of her ground in a fast run race won by Fighting Frank but hit the line well enough. Both Videmanette (6) and Dinga's Delight (1) haven't been showing anything like their best but if they find form are right in calculations.
R4 Bad Dad Orchestra @ The Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Mdn/cl1, 1600m
Fighting Frank (1) finally drew a low marble and was given a great ride by Kyle Maskiell to win in Hobart. A similar scenario presents here to make it back-to-back wins though he will meet the likes of Signal Hill (10) 2.5kg worse from that result. Signal Hill has returned with a couple of good performances and draws to settle much closer. Hero Of Romani (6) was backed like the race was won last time but had to settle for second. I thought the mile would suit off that run and the blinkers also go on for the first time. Sir Da Vinci (4) was scratched from the race won by Rising Light where Needs Toasting (7), Dunmining (3) and Spirit Of Wiora (2) were just out of the placings. From the draw, Sir Da Vinci may be the leader in the race.
R5 Ladbrokes Punters Marquee Class 3 Hcp, 1200m
Sparkling One (7) jumped sharply in grade last time but was sent out a $1.55 chance anyway. She was taken on in front but didn't shirk the task to finish a clear second. Back to her rightful grade they'll struggle to catch her if left alone in front. Sanction King (2) made a very nice return finishing ahead of Easy Road who subsequently won. McCoull riding is perhaps a sign that he's the pick of the three Trinder runners, the other two being Our Shinkansen (6) and Border Protection (3) who both have claims off recent performances. Magic Khan (5) led all the way to win last time with a good margin on second place. Gee Gee Manpower (1) races well in Launceston and had excuses last time in Hobart after racing wide without cover.
R6 Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Oaks, 2100m
Chequerboard (1) led all those home that come via the Strutt Stakes on Hobart Cup day. She put four lengths on Mystique Falcon (2) in third, doing so chasing a very hot speed. It's unlikely the backmarkers will be giving such a big start in this race which also adds to the case of Northern Spirit (6) and Indigo Girls (4) but I think the Hayes/Dabernig runner is the clear pick from the Strutt. Russian By (9) never left the rail at Stony Creek and has the draw to attempt the same here. My Squeeze Louise (3) was entitled to win at Kyneton settling on a slow speed as favourite. The runner-up nominated for this race but didn't accept. Swelter Magic (5) is a last start winner but was beaten out of sight the start prior in a race that included Chequerboard and Mystique Falcon. Queen Adele (8) is getting past the mile for the first time and was a touch plain last start at Sandown.
R7 Magic Millions 2yo Classic, 1200m
Turk Warrior (1) has established himself as the best 2YO in Tasmania quite comfortably. He's started $1.45 and $1.35 at his previous two runs and those odds will appear luxurious if you can get them here. ANGELI (6) has gotten a mile back and hit the line at her two career starts. With the winkers on and an inside draw I'm sure the hope will be that she can settle closer. Gee Gee Enuf Speed (7) closed well to finish alongside Angeli last time we saw her and didn't contest the Gold Sovereign. Of the first starters Disclevaboy (2) was a $32k purchase and asked to do very little at Longford earlier in the week.
R8 Magic Millions 3yo Classic, 1400m
Getting back to 1400m was the tonic for Easy Road (1) who was a soft winner last time out. He's easily the highest rated horse in the field and very well weighted under the conditions for the race. Bill Ryan's pair Red Letter Lady (4) and Take The Sit (6) both ran on Cup day in Hobart. This is a big class drop for Red Letter Lady on paper, but that Group 3 lacked obvious depth. She's drawn much better than the stablemate but there has proven to be not a lot between them. The drop in distance appears a negative for Argyle Beach (2) while Boom Dot Com (5) ticks a few boxes with a good record at the track, distance and first-up.
R9 Kevin Sharkie Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1400m
At the time of writing, five Brunton/Keys runners are without riders named. Runaway Girl (2) is one of those. She raced out of her grade in the Bow Mistress but was the first local home and did so after racing wide without cover. She was a dominant winner last time she raced at the T&D. There wasn't much between Shampz Again (3) and Ravage (9) in Hobart which has generally been the case with that pair. Pires sticks with Shampz Again. Flourishing Future (10) returned to her best with an impressive win last start with Queen's Needs (8) and Gregorian Chant (6) chasing her home. The winner tends to mix her form badly and Gregorian Chant has drawn off the track. Alfie All Talent (5) has had favours in both career wins but is going for three in a row nonetheless. Ivoryman (15) loomed to win in Hobart but was happy to settle for second as has tended to be his way in recent seasons. The run of Is Don Is Good (4) had merit last time and Gee Gees Queenie (1) can improve back to 1400m. Deep race.
