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The first grass meeting since 8 August and the first Launceston meeting since April will be run at the Ladbrokes Racing Centre on Wednesday for the much-anticipated start of the night racing season.
As as often the case, the meeting has been very well supported with seven of the eight races attracting double digit fields which should make for competitive racing and value for punters good enough to find a winner.
The track raced in excellent condition at the corresponding meeting in 2020 and with some rain forecast on race day, I did the form for a track in the 5-6 range.
R1 City Of Launceston Maiden, 1400m
POET WARRIOR (4) has two seconds from as many runs in the state. He struggled to finish the race off last time but had to work early. Ismail Toker should find a good spot from a nice draw. BYNANCE (6) showed improvement at her first run for Mark Ganderton. Second in that race has since won and she was kept up to the mark with a soft trial last week. From the same race POP A HONDA (13) missed the start badly so his run was better than it reads on paper. Drawing gate 1, he won't want to be slow out again though. AUSSIE WARRIOR (1) was only fair at the trials, but the Brunton/Pires combination warrants respect back on the turf. Hamer pair GOLD GOWN (9) and MAYWYN IS THE WORD (3) haven't been far away on the synthetic. IRIS WEST (10) had heavy support last start when pushing forward, and the widest gate dictates that she'll likely have to try her hand to cross the field in this one. HEZA CHARMER (17) is third emergency but will be close to the top of the market if he gets a start.
R2 Ladbrokes Maiden, 1200m
RICH CLAN (10) was no match for some of the state's best 2YO's last season but wasn't disgraced either. Pires sticks with him in a race where Brunton/Keys racing have three runners. Both THE POODLE (3) and SHE DECIDES (8) are on debut. The Poodle trialled up well enough, but the barrier makes it tough. She Decides was scratched at the gates from the last Hobart meeting on 8 August when a $10 chance. MEIGETSU (5) was in the same trial as The Poodle after being scratched from the races a couple of days earlier when drawing wide. Forgive her debut run when she was never on the track. NUFEN SPECIAL (6) has hit the line well at all three starts. Look for her late but 1200m may be a bit short even first-up. GEE GEE ENUF SPEED (13) and GEE GEE SNOWFLAKE (14) both have key gear changes and get in with no weight. CHAMPAGNE CINDERS (12) disappointed as favourite last time and is yet to show that she can finish off her races. The barrier makes it tough for SPELLING BEE (11) who is another having his first start against older horses off a reasonable 2YO campaign. ROMARY (7) ran behind one that's better than maiden grade at the trials and the Jordan/J.Luttrell combination have a decent strike rate.
R3 Book Now For Your Xmas Function Class 1 Hcp, 1200m
There is a stack of speed in this race on paper. GEEGEELUCKYSTAR (6) has trialled up like a horse that's ready to win but draws off the track. Stablemate GEEGEE LUCKY JESS (12) made a nice return in Devonport, not having a lot of luck slotting in over the 1009m scamper. She's another who had little fortune with the barrier draw. GEE GEE REAL DEAL (9) has placed at all four starts in Launceston and maps to get every chance to add to that tally. UBRIACO (2) and FIGHTING FLOYD (3) will have to go back from wide draws and hope backmarkers can get into the race. MCSWEYN (1) strikes a much stronger race than the one he won on debut. From a good draw and the claim for the state's current leading rider he gets a chance to show he can measure up. MRS WHITTEN (14) has done little wrong in two runs back this campaign. Georgie Catania is looking for her first winner since the last grass meeting in Hobart. GEE GEE CAN WIN (4) can slot in behind the speed and be a chance late. APOLLO ROCKET (7) trialled last week like the horse that beat War Correspondent on debut but she's on trust after her recent Devonport performances.
R4 The Examiner Benchmark 62 Hcp, 1200m
CORONATION KEITH (1) was excellent in three runs during his debut campaign winning two of them and the only defeat came at the hands of And Beyond. He has a big weight to carry but draws well and the recent trial was impressive. LUCA BRATZI (7) has run his best races for this stable fresh which is the scenario he gets here. GREGORIAN CHANT (2) may be looking for further but should get a good run behind the speed. GEE GEE JOSIE (3) hasn't won since she was a 2YO but both victories were in Launceston. Her first-up run was solid. Both NEV’S BOY (4) and JOHN’S LAD (6) haven't raced since Hobart but showed good ability there. Both of ALFIE ALL TALENT (5)'s wins came on rail favoured Launceston tracks where he followed the steel. We will have some idea by race four if an inside draw is an advantage.
R5 R F Fergusson Memorial Benchmark 76, 1100m
EASY ROAD (2) won by close to four lengths over 1200m at this corresponding meeting last year. He can stalk what looks a hot speed and is in well with the claim for EBB. LUCKY BUCKY (6) enters his toughest assignment to date on the back of a hat-trick of wins. He went within three lengths of the track record last time in Devonport but a wide gate with pace drawn beneath him makes this tricky. From the same race LE CADEAU (8) rattled home from near last. Both horses drop considerably in weight. GEE GEE LANETT (3) is a proven performer over the 1100m. Any on-speed advantage would be good for her as it would be for APRIANO (9) and HANNAH’S SONG (10). DARK WANDERER (1) arguably gives 4kg claiming apprentice Taylor Johnstone her best chance at a first winning ride. He's a perfect 4/4 first-up but in this class 1100m may be a bit sharp. Same can be said for VALLABAR (5) and BOOM DOT COM (4) who will be strong late in what looks one of the best races so far for the season.
R6 Carlton & United Breweries Mdn/cl1 , 2100m
ONE LOTTO (2) had the worst of a close finish last time in a race where the quinella cleared out from the rest. That winner has subsequently won again, and he should find a forward position in a race lacking obvious pace. CAPTAIN MORGAN (1) ran his typically honest race last time but covered a bit more ground than the two that finished in front of him. TINY TIMMY (7) has been getting well back in his races and finishing strongly. He is on trial at the trip but has a good grounding for it being deep into the campaign. Cameron Thompson trains two newcomers to the state, STEER FOR LADY (9) and CATALANIC (5). This looks a last resort for Catalanic who was over the jumps two starts ago, while Steer for Lady is an ex-Mick Kent runner who was in the market at most of her starts for that stable.
R7 Dulux & Inspirations Paint Benchmark 62 Hcp, 1400m
WELDBOROUGH (3) appreciated the rise in distance and a paint hugging ride from Brendon McCoull to win in dominant fashion last time. McCoull sticks with him, and this will potentially be his only ride for the night if the third emergency doesn't gain a start in race 1. HOLY DIAMOND (1) enjoyed the run of the race in BM60 company to beat GEE GEE GOLDENLASS (6) and ISKRA (8) who were the two that settled in front of him. The winner maps for a similar run but Iskra did SP $2 in that race. DIVISOR (4) is another last start winner who had the race run to suit in front. With the 4kg claim for Iskra, it's hard to see that happening here. JOHNNY CHUTZPAH (7) hasn't been far away in three runs for the Gary White stable, all of which have been in similar races to this. HOT RELATION (2) was well backed in better company last time but found one too good. He's up to 60.5kg for the drop in class, and the widest gate makes things difficult. Stablemate SO ASTOUNDING (5) resumes, likely with an eye for races over further but hasn't put many bad ones in since arriving in the state.
R8 Tasracing Benchmark 68 Hcp, 1600m
Small field to finish the night. The trifecta from the race won by RAGHU (1) are all here, that race an on-pace dominated affair where the winner led and the second horse ASSARANCA (4) held that position throughout. The third horse BARJEEL (3) was the best of those coming from the back, but in a small field this is unlikely to be a high-pressure affair again. IRISH SHOTGUN (5) will put some pace in the race and kicked hard to be narrowly beaten from the front last start.
