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Racing is under lights in Launceston on Wednesday night where the first of eight races is scheduled for 17:57.

We saw several well-supported favourites get the job done for punters a week ago but this program looks more open, particularly with the rail moving out to the +9m position.

After rain caused the track to be downgraded to a soft 7 last week, the forecast is kinder and points towards a 4 or 5 rated surface.

R1 Cressy Chaff Cutters Jim Osborne Longford Cup New Years Day Maiden, 1220m

PEACE BE UPON HIM (6) was first home of a few runners that come via the maiden won by Rebel Factor. He was $5 into $3.90 that night and never had cover so the run was full of merit. DOLCE CASA (9) went the other way in betting in the same race but hit the line well up the inside rail. Thomas Doyle retains the ride with a strike rate of two wins from 43 starts for his master Adam Trinder. BE KINDER (8) debuted in the same race and wasn't as strong to the line as others but admittedly didn't have a stack of luck from a poor barrier. MIKAYLA’S PARIS (3) rounds out the chances from that race and the penny seems to have dropped with him as a 7YO. MAGIC TYPHOON (13) ran on a soft track last Wednesday and was a touch plain when sent out a $3.70 chance. Byrne Burke takes the ride and has the benefit of gate one. STEP TOO FAR (4) is an ex-Simon Wilde horse who raced on pace for the previous stable. He brings a strong SP profile. RAPID EFFECT (11) draws off the track but debutantes from this stable always warrant respect. AUNTIE FLORRIE (7) has been hitting the line but will likely give a big start away again, particularly dropping in distance.

R2 Jackson Security Tasmanian Newmarket 1st December Class 1 Hcp, 1220m

The market went against SUMMER FIRE (13) late at her first run in the state, but she was an impressive winner. The draw will require a great ride to make it back-to-back victories. EPIC SONG (3) was heavily supported in Hobart but the way the track played that day didn't suit inexperienced riders. He's yet to run a bad race and has a low draw here. KEEPER’S TOUCH (1) resumes off a soft Devonport trial. He had excuses at his one previous Launceston run where he started $2.30. GEEGEE LUCKY JESS (9), SKILENDRA (12), TIDAL (10) and PERKINS (5) were close-up in a very busy finish last time behind Geegeeluckystar. GEE GEE ALS PRINCE (4) resumed in a strong form race but is another where the barrier will make things very difficult. BONDI TIFF (6) broke her maiden status in impressive fashion when leading all the way. It's reasonable to expect repeat tactics to be attempted. Forgive the last start of TWEE (8) and she hasn't done a lot wrong. TILTHEREWARSYOU (14) was $12 into $5 last Wednesday but hit the wall close to home. INNOCENT PEGG (11) comes through what was easily the fastest trial of the day in Devonport. Very deep class one where any result wouldn't totally surprise.

R3 Book Your Christmas Function Now Class 1 Hcp, 1420m

CHAMPAGNE CINDERS (11) led the field a merry dance to win her maiden here last start. Expect her to hold the rail from the inside draw and attempt the same. IRIS WEST (6) has been good in both Launceston starts and drawing alongside Champagne Cinders should give Siggy Carr the option to lead or get the suck run behind depending on how they both jump. NEEDS TOASTING (3) comes through the same race and he's another racing well this campaign. McCoull and Trinder are striking at 43% together from 14 starts this season. UBRIACO (1) looks ready for 1400m after a pair of 1200m runs where the best part of his race was the finish. GEE GEES JENNIA (12) snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in Hobart, much to the dismay of punters who backed her from $11 into $5. PROSECUTOR (4) was never on the track at his Tasmanian debut and could be an improver with a lower draw and Pires taking the ride.

R4 Ladbrokes Maiden, 1420m

I’M BACK (2) was easy in the market when he resumed but ran well behind the progressive Romary. He's rarely far away but has now been beaten at under $3 in each of his last four starts. HEZA CHARMER (1) represents a similar story as a real friend of the bookies. He gave a big start away last time and was closing hard but that was over the mile. ALPINE BLAST (5) has been solid in both runs as a 3YO. He should settle midfield and take some holding out late. QUEEN’S THE WORD (9) led at a fast tempo last time so her effort to stick on for fourth had a bit of merit. She draws the inside marble and any early pattern should be established by this race. GEE GEE ENUF SPEED (11) worked home into third last time and that form can receive a push through Champagne Cinders in the previous race.

R5 Mcb Development 3yo Cup 1st December Benchmark 68 Hcp, 1220m

VIVILICI (3) received a great steer from EBB last time and that was the difference in a close finish. That was in the same grade at the T&D, but she'll meet RED LETTER LADY (5) 1.5kg worse for a tight margin. Red Letter Lady has since been to the trials where she was very impressive after being slowly away. SIRENE STRYKER (6) has had her share of issues but has generally impressed when we've seen her on the track. This is a hot race to resume in but she's a classy mare and was brought up to the mark with a recent trial win. SIDOROVA (9) and HANNAH’S SONG (7) crossed the line together in a photo with Le Cadeau. They draw opposite sides of the track. MICHBAR (4) is a good fresh horse but isn't proven out to 1200m and the wide draw makes things difficult. LUCKY LIL (8) ran up to the market drift in Hobart but is a likely improver with Pires back on.

R6 Steve's Liquor Mdn/class 1, 2150m

TAVISPLASH (7) makes the jump to 2150m after two 1400m runs where she was fancied by the market but settled too far back to make an impact. She's likely the most talented horse in the race by a fair margin but is unproven at the distance. PORT BERRY (5) continues to hold her form well and the booking of EBB gives her a 2kg swing on STEER FOR LADY (10) with that pair rounding out the trifecta behind Freelancer. In a race lacking pace, one of that pair may lead. LAUNNIE NIGHTS (4) has had an interesting four start career. Two of his runs were at Listed level and he raced out of his grade first-up. We'll learn a bit more about him here. RECOMPENSA (6) isn't proven at the distance but has been racing in tougher company. GEE GEE BEACH BOY (3) was closing well at his first run over 2100m and should benefit from having that run under the belt.

R7 Buckby Motors Benchmark 68 Hcp, 2150m

THE RISK FACTOR (2) gets the jockey and trip that saw him win four in succession last campaign. He started $1.90 when beaten by OVERPLAY (1) last start but the rise in distance looks a positive for the Trinder runner given Overplay hasn't run over 2100m since he was a 3YO. Two of the five career wins for PERUN (4) have come second-up and four at this track. He enjoyed the run of the race to win first-up. FREELANCER (3) broke through for an overdue win last start but he did receive all the favours in a slowly run race. He gets a better chance to prove himself in this line-up. COSTERO (5) was poor in Hobart, but we've seen repeatedly it can be worth forgiving horses a down run on that track. RED FIORE (7) drops 8kg from his last start and if leaders are favoured than he can give a sight. CAPTAIN MORGAN (8) may find a few of these a bit smart but rarely runs a bad race.

R8 Matt Garwood 17th November Benchmark 62 Hcp, 1620m

This is a big class drop for CORONATION GLADE (1) who has had his last two starts in 76 company. He's a big horse who'll have little issue with 59.5kg but in turn might be a difficult steer late for a lightweight apprentice. RED HELMET (3) has been good at both recent Launceston starts, held up at key stages last time he arguably should've finished closer and the third horse from that race won last Wednesday night. NEED TO BE UNIQUE (2) is the progressive horse on the scene, enjoying the run of the race to win at 1400m last start. He gets to the mile for the first time but fifth run in he may be looking for it. ANACREON (5) was smashed into $1.30 in this grade but was grabbed late by one that had the drop on her. Despite the small field this looks a significantly deeper race, but she does drop 2kg with Byrne Burke going back aboard.