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For just the second time ever thoroughbred racing will take place in Tasmania on Good Friday where Launceston again has the honour of hosting the card.
R1 Members Jackpot Draw Will Be Won 7th April Maiden, 1200m
GEE GEE REAL DEAL (10) was backed into a very short quote last time and perhaps undone up on speed where she copped some pressure. She's been consistent this prep, but this is her sixth run this time in, facing a few at the other end of the campaign. Neither of the Trinder pair have drawn well but have good gate speed. CHEEKY ONE (9) was three-wide on speed first-up and just weakened to miss the placings. She had some market support there. SCRIBBLER (6) was a $44k purchase who did little to recoup the sale price as a 3YO. She's tuned up for this with a pair of trial wins, leading in both. Forgive the debut of SHAKE YOUR TOOSHY (7) where she was back and wide on a day where that pattern was impossible. GEE GEE BARACUS (2) has the senior rider back on and was solid two starts back in a maiden that has produced some form.
R2 Thank You John Mckenna Maiden, 1400m
SKILENDRA (8) has had nothing but bad luck for most of her career and is unlucky to still be a maiden. Held up at a key stage last start, she did very well to get as close as she did. With a low draw here, she should be in the finish again. ESSEX (9) went around short on Sunday off the back of a good run two starts ago. She was a touch plain there but that was her first look at Hobart, and this may be the distance she's looking for. Lightly raced pair ONE MORE PARTY (6) and POWERFUL PEBBLES (11) both caught the eye closing hard last start. Blinkers go on One More Party. UPSET (3) is always an each-way chance in a race like this but has had a few opportunities. ARRIONDO (5) didn't have much room in the straight last time and look for any market lead on HIGH MAINTENANCE (1) having his first Tasmanian start.
R3 Mg Zs Suv Car Giveaway Drawn Today 3yo Maiden, 1100m
The maiden won by Reite Den Blitz appears the key form reference. HOT CAT (6) was a big drifter there despite some nice trials leading in and had no luck being caught three-wide. Newitt jumps aboard and the filly has a much lower draw. MAGGIE'S QUEST (7) sat outside the leader there in a nice debut and SIGNTHECHEQUE (10) had a three-wide trail from off the speed. That trio have the benefit of not dropping in distance which I think is an advantage over the sprint trip. HEZA CHARMER (1) on the other hand raced over 1400m last start where he had every chance racing on speed. I suspect the Tasbred incentive is the reason he's here and his form can receive a boost if Skilendra runs well in the previous race. TECHNO AWARDS (3) wasn't bad at his first run in the state and JOHN'S LAD (2) ran an improved race in Hobart on Sunday.
R4 Ambidexter At Brooklyn Park Stud Mdn/cl1, 2100m
All of these raced each other last start with the exception of JOPHIEL (3) who had his last Tasmanian start just over a year ago. He was a consistent money earner in the ACT but remains a maiden after 28 starts. His best runs have come around this distance. STEPASIDE ROUSEY (5) was the winner of the main lead-up race, scoring at $41. That was a career best for her so the challenge is whether she can back it up. SIR DA VINCI (4) was softened up on the pace in that race and was left a sitting shot late. He was four weeks between runs rising from the mile there and should derive benefit from the hit out. A senior rider goes on TASSIE O'REILLY (6) which may suit him as he lacks a turn of foot. He stuck to the task last time when he had strong market support. SPIRIT OF WIORA (2) was poor last time but has the blinkers on and his sole win in Devonport came after a similar gear change.
R5 Book Your Next Function With Us Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1600m
MYWORDIS (2) handed up the lead in a slowly run affair last time and was stuck behind that leader when the horse tired in the home straight. He arguably should've won that, and his form was respectable prior to that in better company than this. MANILENYA (1) is another dropping in class but rising in weight as a result. Interestingly they choose not to claim so she'll carry 60.5kg. After four runs over 1400m I suspect she's looking for the mile again now. It was hardly a staying test for either CORONATION PIA (4) or ARGYLE BEACH (3) last time but they both have a better record at this distance. In particular the 6YO mare loves the Launceston mile. RHODE AWAY (5) hasn't raced since Launceston Cup day and was enjoying a great prep to that point. He may be better at 2100m in this class.
R6 Paul Schwamm Photography 0-60, 1400m
IVORYMAN (1) has returned with two seconds by a combined margin of 0.3 lengths. With a career record of three wins and 17 placings and having not won for over two years, it's legitimate to query whether he has forgotten how to win. CRACKERJACK LADY (8) was better than the form reads last time, chopped out at a key stage. Her two runs prior to that for the new stable were good. HOLY DIAMOND (4) is racing without luck but will need that to change from a wide draw. REANN'S DIAMOND (7) relished the soft track and a perfect run to break through last week with BOGAN BILL (3) tracking her there. The firmer surface is certainly against the winner. JACK'S CHOICE (14) was belting home last start in her best run for a while. TENNESSEE SKY (11) is a query at the distance but may settle forward in a race lacking a leader.
R7 E (ted) Cox Memorial Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1400m
Most of these come through slowly run races which makes the form hard to pick through. SANCTION KING (2) was a big beneficiary of one of those, surprisingly settling up on the speed in a race controlled by the leaders. Tactics will be key again, particularly given he's drawn the inside. MERCIABELLE (9) and STINKA (7) ran on well in the same race, particularly the latter. TAKE THE SIT (5) and GEE GEE MANPOWER (3) were no match for the airborne Boom Dot Com and there doesn't appear to be anything going quite as well as her in this. LESNAR (1) resumes with a good first-up record. Riding him up on the speed with clear air seems to be the key. QUEEN'S NEEDS (4) has been good this campaign but was a touch plain in Hobart. She has an awkward draw. PHENOMENAL DANCER (10) doesn't appear suited back in distance at this stage of the campaign but hasn't done much wrong. MISS EXCESS (8) is also back in trip, but I think she may be better at this distance although she generally relies on swoopers having their chance.
R8 Buckby Motors Class 1 C&g, 1100m
DIVISOR (1), PERKINS (3) and SOCIETY BILL (4) all met last start in Hobart where Divisor was the shortest of the trio but Society Bill the first of them home. That was a very slowly run race where the settling order basically didn't change but it's worth noting that Perkins sat three-wide. LUCKY BUCKY (2) has been super in two runs since transferring to Ken & Tanya Hanson including a brave second here last Wednesday night. He only needs to hold his form to give this a shake but has drawn awkwardly. GEE GEES TEARDROP (6) was a winner on the same night in a time that was about four lengths slower than that of Lucky Bucky. He's also drawn the outside half so expect Peter Lui to try and come with a similar sweeping run.
R9 Unique Doors & Windows Class 1 F&m, 1100m
Scott Brunton has three acceptors in the race but REITE DEN BLITZ (2) appears the best chance and doesn't have a rider named. Keep an eye on what happens there with the resuming ROBBEN ISLAND (5) and SEGUIMIENTOS (9) who likely needs further the other two runners. The 3YO filly finally broke her maiden last start and I think 1100m may be her best distance. GEE GEE SOX (4) is first-up after a fair trial in Hobart. She's tackled some handy ones in her short career and generally acquitted herself well. BLUSHED (6) drops in class and was a strange run last time after receiving good support. By the last race we'll know whether the inside draw is a help or hinderance. Not a lot of form has come from the maiden win of LOVE NOTES (1) who draws wide and watch for any market lead on ALL DREAMS (8) who has had a change of environment and heads to Tegan Keys at Seven Mile Beach.
