3 minute read
The calendar year starts as it always does with the annual meeting at Longford.
The track is generally presented in magnificent order and punters can expect a firm racing surface with hot weather forecast.
R1 T.a. Bricknell Maiden, 1800m
THE EXECUTIVE (5) was set alight early in Hobart and was a spent force in the home straight. Stepping to 1800m at this stage of the preparation looks suitable and Pires takes the ride. He finished alongside GEE GEES REBEL (3) who was $101 but closed well from off the speed. LAUNNIE NIGHTS (4) was awful in the same race, but conditions were testing that day and we saw Krupt Candy bounce back after a down showing with a subsequent win. Both WILD DESTINY (6) and PAGE (8) jump sharply in distance from recent runs. Interestingly Page was scratched on Wednesday in favour of this. AMERICAN JEWEL (1) and STEER FOR LADY (7) come back in trip where the former was clearly the pick of the two last start.
R2 Incitec Pivot Maiden, 1400m
SHAMMGOD (6) has been rattling home at her past couple to finish in the placings. It's hard to win around Longford with that pattern but she was scratched Wednesday to run here and there's little doubt she brings the best form. LOUISVILLE (1) has placed in more than half his 11 career starts. Recent trials were decent, and it would seem this was a target point for resumption on his home track. MIKAYLA'S PARIS (2) has been racing well in much stronger Launceston maidens. Up to 1400m with a month between runs is a slight query. Stablemates FRENCH KISS (7) and OXY DREAM (8) are still relatively lightly raced and have scope for improvement. PREWINGO (4) boxed on for a place in a slowly run race last time and draws for another good run here.
R3 Tasmanian Livestock Services 0-62, 1400m
HAMOGANY (2) enjoyed a good run but hit the line well to get the best of a blanket photo for the minors behind Azara. RAVAGE (3) was in the same race, seemingly peaking on his run late but does have a 1kg swing in his favour here. AMANCAYA (5) was smashed in the betting in Hobart and looked the winner on the turn but couldn't get past the leader. She puts herself into the race which is suited around Longford. NEV'S BOY (1) has been racing without a lot of luck, caught in the wrong part of the track last time. ISKRA (4) is the likely leader in the race, but recent runs indicate her form may be tapering a little. SHEWEARSTHEPANTS (7) hasn't missed the quinella on this day the past two years. The speed runners over did things in front last time and she finished ahead of Hamogany three starts ago.
R4 Roberts Real Estate Longford Benchmark 66 Hcp, 1400m
VIDEMANETTE (4) raced outside the speed over a mile in Hobart and while no match for the quinella, she spaced QUEEN'S NEEDS (5) in fourth. That was over a month ago so the drop to 1400m shouldn't be a huge issue. IVORYMAN (3) continues to race very well and his last start second to Brinktop Lad held up well when that horse broke the 1600m track record on Wednesday. LESNAR (2) has been ridden upside down to his usual racing pattern in both Devonport starts this campaign. In the small field he has the opportunity to roll forward. DOROZA (1) hasn't shown a heap in four Tasmanian starts but drops significantly in class. FRENCH HEIRESS (7) is 338 days since she last run and comes in without a trial. Look for any market lead with the blinkers going back on.
R5 Armidale Stud Benchmark 62 Hcp, 1800m
SKYWAY STAR (2) set a hot speed in front in Hobart and was entitled to weaken worse than she did. That race favoured the swoopers and JOHN'S LAD (4) was one of those that closed well from the back while LUCKY LIL (5) disappointed after racing wide. PROSECUTOR (3) was a very impressive Devonport winner upon resumption, rounding the field up from the back with ease. A repeat performance will go close here, despite the rise in grade. BANCA NIP (1) wasn't far away in the Golden Mile before finding the pace/trip too hot at 2100m. LADY (8) couldn't get into the race from the back last time and brings similar formlines to the race as HOBART (7). CAPTAIN MORGAN (6) struggles to win but rarely puts a bad one in. He finished second at the T&D last year.
R6 Cressy Chaff Cutters Jim Osborne Longford Cup, 1800m
SWOOP DOG (1) will start a pronounced favourite if here, holding a dual nomination for the Devonport Cup on Wednesday. He was left in a tricky spot when the pace slackened last start but worked into the race to finish in the photo. His form is considerably better than what he faces in this field. ENCOSTA FIORENTE (4) has returned with a hat-trick of wins, outstaying The Risk Factor last start who has subsequently won. Seven lengths astern last time was SUPER SWOOP (3) in a race that was run in two divisions, Super Swoop winning the second one. SO ASTOUNDING (8) is a perennial placegetter, the latest behind Blushed and Skyway Star has a chance to frank that form in the previous race. ARGYLE BEACH (6) received a Newitt special for his first win in 18 months last time out in Devonport. This is a decent class jump but he drops 6.5kg. MI KERI PI (2) has been in the market at both Tasmanian starts and her best Victorian form would be right up to a race like this.
R7 Queens Arms Hotel 0-62, 1400m
MAGIC KHAN (3) returned with a good second behind Our Shinkansen and then the run last time must be forgiven after racing wide without cover. That shouldn't be a problem here from the inside draw. NEEDAREIN (1) missed the start in Devonport but made good ground to just miss the minor money. He's suited up to 1400m. BELLE CADEAU (5) landed a plunge on debut and arguably should've finished closer last time with the rider forced to take a chequered passage in the home straight. HIGH MAINTENANCE (2) has been in the market at most of her Tassie starts and did enough in a recent trial. MILITARY LAW (6) has threatened to win a race this prep but has been a touch disappointing. He could be an improver racing on his home track.
