3 minute read
The third Tasmanian thoroughbred meeting in the space of six days will be run in Launceston on Wednesday night with an eight-race program.
Field sizes are solid through the first half of the program but drop away through the quaddie legs where there may be a few short priced favourites.
The rail is in the +1m position with fine weather forecast.
R1 Cressy Chaff Cutters Longford Cup New Year's Day Maiden, 1400m
BYNANCE (7) has hit the line well at both of her runs since transferring to Mark Ganderton. She left her run too late last time in a race where the winner was outside the lead. ALPINE BLAST (12) takes on older horses for the first time, finishing on the heels of the placegetters first-up. He looks to make the jump from 1100m to 1400m. OUR SONNY BOY (3) did his best work late last start, unable to hold a forward position from the inside barrier. Siggy Carr takes the ride which suggests the horse will be ridden closer to the speed. AUNTIE FLORRIE (5) savaged the line from an impossible position first-up but from a poor draw she'll likely be giving a big start again. BELL RINGER BOY (1) and QUEEN'S THE WORD (11) filled the placings behind Needs Toasting, but the strength of that race is a big query.
R2 Become A Member & Reap The Rewards Class 1 Hcp, 1400m
NEEDS TOASTING (2) had good support to win his maiden first-up and did just that with relative ease. That form can be franked in the opening race. BLUSHED (9) had been out of sorts but returned to form with a strong second last time where she would've won in a few more bounds. NEED TO BE UNIQUE (1) covered ground in the same race and was entitled to weaken late while GEE GEE REAL DEAL (7) stalked the speed throughout. TAVISPLASH (4) was the heavily supported $2.90 favourite there but snicked back early she was given nothing more than a glorified barrier trial. Respect the market push that day. EVELINA ROSE (5) makes her own luck on the pace and was held together in a recent trial. There looks good speed in this race including from IRIS WEST (11) who was somewhat of a surprise winner at the return meeting on 6 October and has a soft draw.
R3 Foot & Playsted Benchmark 62 Hcp, 1200m
ALFIE ALL TALENT (4) ran into a smart one first-up but had a clear margin on GEE GEE JOSIE (3) back in third. The inside draw looks a big positive for Alfie who appears the leader in the race. FIGHTING FLOYD (6) came from a mile back to win last time, a race where the form held up well last Wednesday. He's a horse that likes racing room so the draw may not be as advantageous as it looks on paper. TALLY MO (11) ran her best race for Glenn Stevenson there and has the stable apprentice back on. WEEKEND WHISKY (7) is a consistent old campaigner these days and went down by a narrow margin at the T&D last time. CLIFTON DANSEUR (5) draws off the track for his return to the races but has McCoull to offset that. SELLICK (2) is well weighted with the claim for Taylor Johnstone but gets back in his races and MILITARY LAW (8) hasn't missed the quinella in two previous first-up runs.
R4 Ladbrokes Maiden, 1100m
BE KINDER (5) is one of six potential debutantes in the race. She's been kept under a firm grip in both of her trials, each with Codi Jordan in the saddle who retains the ride on race day. PEACE BE UPON HIM (7) first trialled in December last year but faces the judge for the first time. He's done enough to suggest he will be competitive but has drawn wide as has REBEL FACTOR (2). She wears the same colours as her mother Rebel Bride who was a star back in her day. SCHAUFFELE (3) makes the move to Tassie from the Wendy Kelly stable. His Victorian form is strong for a Tassie maiden, interestingly connections chose to kick off over 1100m. DOLCE CASA (6) was in the market at both previous starts but failed to fire. She gives the impression that time and more ground may be preferable. BAHEERA (4) is an ex-McEvoy runner who is 489 days between runs. She was in the part of the track that most tried to avoid in her most recent trial. 7YO gelding MIKAYLA'S PRIDE (1) put in a career best effort last time and is the most experienced horse in the race by a fair margin.
R5 Owners Race Viewing Now In The Punters Bar Mdn/cl1, 2100m
FREELANCER (2) keeps finding one better, but this looks easier than what he has been contesting. He isn't proven over 2100m and gets his chance to show he can run the trip. PORT BERRY (5) appeared to have the race won in Hobart but had to settle for second. This isn't much harder. NORTHERN SPIRIT (4) has disappointed punters this campaign, jumping favourite at her last two starts but missing the placings. She was safely held at her previous 2100m runs against her own age. SIZZKYE (8) ran well here two starts ago and the run last Wednesday looked to tick her over for a return to this distance. STEER FOR LADY (9) didn't have a lot of clear air at her only Tasmanian start and gets in well below the minimum with Tayah Stalker taking the ride.
R6 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup 23rd February Benchmark 76 Hcp, 1600m
CORONATION GLADE (5) was first home of the runners that come via the BM76 won by Sir Simon. He loves racing in Launceston and hasn't missed a place in four runs at the T&D which include two wins. THE RISK FACTOR (4) raced outside the leader at a solid gallop there but was found out in the home straight. He'll strip fitter and has a senior rider going back on. ARTY LUCAS (1) caught the eye running on very strongly from last in that race and looks suited up in distance. DOROZA (2) settled well back in a very slowly run race at his only Tasmanian appearance but hit the line well. He's another runner whose main form is over a bit further.
R7 Carlton & United Breweries Benchmark 68 Hcp, 1400m
CORONATION KEITH (4) is quickly building an imposing career record and couldn't have been more impressive winning first-up. He has since been to the trials where he made a mess of a smart field. BOOM DOT COM (1) powered home to run second over an unsuitable 1100m. She jumps in weight, but that race has since produced two subsequent winners. TOUGH BOY (5) was close for the minors when he resumed, finishing behind a stablemate. He maps for an economical run and is rarely far away at this track. RISING HSIANG (2) should lead and continues to hold his form well despite starting his campaign for the stable way back on Good Friday.
R8 Phil Hughes Office Solutions 0-62 Hcp, 1600m
ANACREON (4) only won once from 46 starts for the previous stable but took just two to notch a victory for Adam Trinder. She rolled to the front and held on there and looks the leader in this field. CALINGO (6) has a 7kg swing in his favour from that race but was beaten out of sight. SUBMIT ANOTHER (2) has a poor Launceston record, yet to register a place in seven starts at the track. His Devonport form has been consistent, and he was a touch unlucky not to register a win at different stages. PERUN (1) is a stayer who was brought up to the mark with a recent 1400m trial. He's won twice at the mile but the most recent was in June 2018.
