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The countdown is on until the conclusion of the night racing season in Launceston and Wednesday night’s eight-race card is the second last for 2020/21 in this timeslot.
The first couple of races appear to be a lottery for punters before a few shorter priced runners are sure to attract plenty of attention later in the program.
All eyes will be on the rainfall leading up to and during the meeting. The track is rated a good 4 as of Tuesday afternoon but with between 15-40mm forecast for Wednesday it seems likely the early rating will change depending on how much rain arrives.
The rail is in the +3m position for the first time since Newmarket night (25 November).
R1 Book Your Function @ The Ladbrokes Racing Centre Maiden, 1400m
Tough race to start the night with several key chances drawing off the track. HERO OF ROMANI (5) is one of those, guaranteed to start from the widest barrier. He was only fair in Hobart, but the barrier may dictate he is ridden aggressive early and could find the front. GEE GEE DEVONBOY (2) and BRINKTOP LAD (1) raced on the same program, the former enjoying a great run behind the leader and the latter forced to make a wide run from back in the field. SKILENDRA (12) was scratched last Wednesday when she drew wide but the same has occurred here. Her first-up run was good. LOUISVILLE (3) may not have much improvement left at this stage of the campaign but is racing consistently, finishing alongside stablemate ESSEX (14) last time who may be looking for 1400m third-up. TWEE (13) made a nice debut over 1100m and now gets to this distance quickly and with a month between runs. UPSET (16) has had chances in thinner races than this but is in the mix now he's assured a start. Hopes to MRS WHITTEN (11), INCRIMINATE (7) and HEZA CHARMER (6) off their most recent runs and watch for any market lead on HIGH MAINTENANCE (15) who was purchased in Tasmania and returns from the Matthew Brown stable.
R2 Tasmanian Bloodstock Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1600m
DUNMINING (9) was rewarded for consistent form with another win in Hobart last start. She had the run of the race there, but this doesn't appear a great deal harder. Stablemate RAVAGE (1) is another that continues to pick-up cheques and did so again in Hobart. He wasn't far away last time he was at the T&D. WE NEED A STAR (8) closed well behind Dunmining and has a better draw and winkers on. PHENOMENAL DANCER (6) didn't have the sprint of those ahead of her last Wednesday but that was harder grade than this. Neither BOGAN BILL (3) or ILFRACOMBE (11) had any hope last week getting back to the tail in races run to suit those on the pace. Veterans SON OF FAITH (2), SPIHRO (7) and REANN'S DIAMOND (12) are always a hope in these races. The rain would be a negative for Spihro and a positive for Reann's Diamond.
R3 Buckby Motors Family Fun Day Good Friday Maiden, 1100m
GEE GEE REAL DEAL (7) has been running in much stronger maidens than this and hasn't been far away. The wide draw may be an advantage depending on how much rain arrives. GEE GEES TEARDROP (4) was scratched here a week ago when drawing poorly. He had excuses for finishing well down the track in Hobart, since trialling well and comfortably holding GRANDEZZA (5) who was in that hit-out. ARJBAC (2) had some support last Wednesday but was only moderate in a maiden that admittedly had much more depth than this. GEE GEE BARACUS (3) was poor in Hobart but good here the start prior. HEAVENS HEARTBREAK (6) has a poor first-up record and did nothing in her recent trial but has run some solid races in the past. ZAHEELI (8) has scope to improve with Pires going on.
R4 Carlton & United Breweries Class 3 Hcp, 1200m
Neither of the key chances JULIUS (1) or WARRIOR PRINCE (2) have any wet track form so the conditions may have a big bearing on this race. If you excuse the run of Julius in the Tasbred 4YO race he's been super in his other three runs, winning them all. He carried 59.5kg to win on debut with a number of subsequent winners in behind. Expect a bounce back performance from Warrior Prince who never appeared comfortable in Hobart. His best races have been on this track. BORDER PROTECTION (3) has gotten through the wet fine in the past and has placed in eight of nine runs over the T&D. ZAGAME (5) was third behind Julius on Cup day and meets him 1.5kg better for that result.
R5 Peter Rabbit On The Big Screen Good Friday Class 1 Hcp, 1200m
AZARA (6) was an impressive winner on debut with a bit of form to come from those behind her. She showed some tactical speed which may help Brendon McCoull find a good spot from the wide draw. SOCIETY BILL (2) is racing consistently making his own luck on the pace. NEEDADOLLARBILL (1) resumes with a pair of trials behind him at Longford. Pires knows the horse well and he's placed in three of four Launceston runs. MY DIANA (11) has had a stable change since she previously raced and her last run for Max Cowen in Hobart had merit. GEE GEES DOUBLEYOU (9) and LITTLE HOT MISSILE (7) had no chance settling back in a race dominated by the leaders last time. The form indicates 1200m will be too short for BRAHMA ARMOUR (10) but look for any market lead to suggest otherwise, having his first start for Glenn Stevenson.
R6 Kevin Sharkie Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1100m
Should be good speed in this one despite the small field. I'M A FLOOZY (4) is one runner that likes to race forward, she's led in both of her wins including last start. Back to 1100m with a month off shouldn't be an issue and she's won on a heavy track here previously. LUCKY BUCKY (3) finally showed what he's capable of in Hobart and is right in the mix with a repeat performance. LITTLE RIVER BOY (1) is a bit of an enigma, capable of anything when he's right but generally poor when he's not. Those three horses should ensure a strongly run affair. GEE GEE LADYBIRD (6) was good in Hobart despite a wide run. RHYME WRITER (2) mixes his form, evident by his last two starts and watch the market on HEZALITE (5) who is first-up for 472 days.
R7 Ladbrokes Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1400m
TAKE THE SIT (3) was in season when she disappointed as an odds-on favourite last time over the mile. She's since been to the trials and has won twice over 1400m. BOOM DOT COM (1) was a dominant winner here a week ago and a length behind Take the Sit two starts back. Any rain would be a bonus and perhaps make a positive out of the wide draw. DON'TBUCKME OFF (4) has been racing in great form and was only narrowly beaten in a good race in Hobart last time. It's hard to see him not running well. GEE GEE MANPOWER (2) was scratched last Wednesday night when he had a big weight. All of his wins have come with Kyle Maskiell aboard.
R8 Winning Edge Presentations Open Hcp, 1600m
Three of the seven runners raced in the Mowbray Stakes where SIR SIMON (2) was the first of those home. The mile is arguably his pet distance and the wetter the better for him. PAION (6) was three-wide for the trip in that race and CREATIVE HERO (4) was outpaced but has since been to 2100m and won. I suspect this is the final St. Leger tune up for both Creative Hero and EXOTERIC (1) who I'd prefer to be with over that longer distance. QUEEN LA DIVA (3) isn't the easiest horse to get a handle on. She's mixed form in her four Tasmanian starts and been all over the place in distances run. GREGORIAN CHANT (8) is poorly in at the weights but having something to chase is what Glenn Stevenson is looking for with her.
