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The final meeting for the season in Launceston will be run on Wednesday night, the track earning a break until October after the seven-race program.
There were originally nine races scheduled for Wednesday night but a lack of acceptors forced the deletion of the 3YO handicap and benchmark 78.
The $30,000 Deloraine Community Tasmanian St Leger is the headline race on the program and it's a race not lacking for any talent at the top end with the trifecta from February's Ladbrokes Launceston Cup all engaged.
The rail is in the +9m 1200m-W/Post; +7m Remainder position, last used in the same spot on 3 March where it was difficult to win away from the inside.
R1 Meander Valley Council 2yo Maiden, 1120m
Geegeeluckystar (2) comfortably had the measure of Spelling Bee (5) and Need A Flutter (6) where he started $1.80 favourite. He showed speed to sit outside the lead there and the quinella put a gap on the rest. Winkers go on Spelling Bee and Need A Flutter was slowly away there, but it's hard to see them turning the tables. Adam Trinder debut's a pair of decent purchases here with BADA BANG (1) and NEEDS REMEMBERING (4). Bada Bang was a $60k purchase and though he won the trial in Devonport he appeared to be asked for more effort than both Needs Remembering and MELITON (3) who were in behind.
R2 Blair & Sons Sawmill Maiden, 1220m
NEV'S BOY (3) was three-wide for the trip on debut in a maiden that produced Essex who won on Good Friday. He should be better for the race experience. ZAHEELI (8) was forced to cover a bit of ground last start as well with that maiden also franked at the last Launceston meeting. HEAVENS HEARTBREAK (5) was in the same race and generally improves into the campaign. TECHNO AWARDS (4) didn't have much luck in the straight five days ago and probably runs top three if the breaks come. His two runs for Peter Luttrell have suggested he might at least have a maiden win in him down here.
R3 Deloraine First National Real Estate 0-60, 1220m
BORDER PROTECTION (1) will find this easier than chasing the likes of Warrior Prince and Julius. He's proven he can carry weight and though his winning strike rate is poor he's unlikely to be far away at the end of the race. HOLY DIAMOND (2) was scratched on Friday where he drew off the track. He's racing well for Rowan Hamer but the drop in distance deep into the campaign is a query. GEE GEE LADYBIRD (7) was an impressive winner at the last night meeting beating subsequent winner Lucky Bucky and LITTLE RIVER BOY (4) was also in that race. The in-form Siggy Carr takes the ride on Ladybird but she'll have the widest draw to overcome. PERKINS (5) continues to race consistently and look for any market lead on HUNCH (3) who has moved from Team Wells to Scott Brunton at Seven Mile Beach and was a recent trial winner in Hobart.
R4 Jg Pest Control Class 1 Hcp, 1420m
MILITARY LAW (1) delivered trainer Peter Luttrell his first winner for the season in impressive fashion first-up. That race has produced some form, and this looks a nice progression point if he's ready for the 1400m second-up. NEEDADOLLARBILL (2) was first home of quite a few that come via the Class 1 won by Azara. CATCH ME PADDY (4) wasn't far away there either and SELLICK (4) had heavy betting support in that race. GEE GEES PUNTER (5) has had some excuses at his past couple and placed from the same draw three starts ago. TERRIFIC TORRI (8) and LITTLE HOT MISSILE (6) will be running on if those from off the speed are afforded an opportunity.
R5 Deloraine Football Club Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1120m
JULIUS (3) was beaten but not disgraced last time when an easing short priced favourite. He pulled up with an issue there and a firmer surface will be much more to his liking. SIRENE STRYKER (8) was a highly publicised scratching from a Sandown race a couple of weeks ago and now returns to the track where she's won twice previously. Her Class 1 win was soft and she appears to have plenty of upside. STEFANIDI (11) was a good thing beaten in Hobart but doesn't have nearly as good a record in Launceston. She'll be giving a start as will the stablemate ALINJER (7) who was better than the form reads first-up. GEE GEE QUEEN BEE (5) has form around Julius from Cup day and meets him 1.5kg better for that result. LOKI PATERA (6) and I'M A FLOOZY (10) are on pacers who each had their respective chances dashed last time when they were slow out of the barriers.
R6 Deloraine Community Tasmanian St Leger, 2150m
We have the Launceston Cup trifecta here where SH'BOURNE RENEGADE (3) and WHITE HAWK (4) meet the winner GLASS WARRIOR (1) 2.5kg better at the weights from that race. All three have since been interstate and failed and while the form from the Cup has held up poorly, that trio do appear to have a class edge. EXOTERIC (2) hasn't raced since the Hobart Cup having been scratched from Launceston on Cup morning. He must be a fitness query as a result, but his best Tasmanian runs have clearly been when he's gotten out over ground. CREATIVE HERO (5) was just a fitness run over 1400m and he warrants respect off his BM74 win over this distance where he carried 59kg. Both STORMONT (7) and SO ASTOUNDING (8) are in terribly at the weights given their ratings, but they dominated the market when they clashed in Hobart.
R7 Tyson Family Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1620m
VIDEMANETTE (7) has bounced back to form and was rewarded with a dominant win in Hobart last start. She races well over the mile and broke her maiden status at this track. PHENOMENAL DANCER (5) was ridden very quietly five days ago but caught the eye hitting the line. Back up in distance should suit her. SON OF FAITH (2) had every chance leading last start but was bloused by REANN'S DIAMOND (6) with BOGAN BILL (3) in third. Reann's Diamond and Bogan Bill have since run again with neither suited on a day where it was impossible to win from off the speed. MAGIC KHAN (1) is tested out to the mile for the first time but is enjoying a good campaign and maps for a nice run from the draw.
