3 minute read
After a terrific night of racing to open the Launceston night season a week ago, racing returns this Wednesday evening for another eight-race program.
The track raced in great order with the rail in the true position last week and it moves to +3m for the entire circuit for the second meeting.
The weather forecast creates an unknown doing the form for this meeting. Heavy rain is forecast late Wednesday and Thursday but the hope is that it will arrive after the program concludes.
The Tuesday track report from Ryan Smith can be viewed here.
R1 Margot Smart Maiden, 1200m
Night Missile (5) was a $4 chance for a similar race here last Wednesday but didn't go around. His first-up run was good in Devonport, and he draws to be firmly in the mix again. Waddy Waddy (14) showed good speed to lead his recent Longford trial so you'd expect him to be up in the firing line. Jockey Bulent Muhcu is looking to open his 22/23 season account after 21 rides leading into this meeting. Miss Red (11) kicked up from a low draw resuming in Devonport in a fast run 1009m. She finished just ahead of stablemate Aussie Black there who ran a good race a week ago. Alpine Assault (1) closed well from near the rear last Wednesday but that's his pattern. Graeme McCulloch-trained pair Swingapinga (7) and Poet Warrior (6) come out of the same race and generally settle nearer to the speed. Cheeky Word (9) is only lightly raced and wasn't pushed in a recent trial behind Twee who pulled off a successful plunge to close the program last week. Aurum Man (2) only had one start for Danny O'Brien and has made his way to Stephen Lockhart. No public appearances but the stable did have a newcomer run a decent race here in the maiden won by Born A Winner. Blow Up (8) will need everything to go right from a poor draw but is some hope if she's able to cross.
R2 Paul & Elizabeth Geard Maiden/class 1, 1600m
Chi Mazel (1) was a track and distance winner here back in August beating a field that included Needs Remembering (4). His subsequent Devonport run was excellent, and he draws to land in the first couple. Needs Remembering was a dominant Devonport winner last time albeit a few roadblocks may have inflated the margin. Southern Wind (9) was third in that race, having to bide his time to find clear air. Hellot (3) resumed with a win in Hobart and was a touch plain in Devonport, though that race was very slowly run. He draws poorly but back to the grass and up to a mile will suit. Expensive Mistake (2) has the scalp of Chi Mazel just three starts ago but couldn't replicate that form on the carpet. Pires sticks with him which may be noteworthy given he has won aboard the toppy. Baheera (5) had no luck at key stages last time in race that produced King Island who won last week. Gee Gee Miss Quita (7) was a $4 chance in that race, but the draw makes things difficult. Tennessee Beach (11) broke through for a deserved win last time, holding a narrow margin to Ahzeezah who has since run well again. She's on trial at the trip. Upward And Onward (12) comes out of the same race where he was back and wide but has a softer draw here. Duncannon (6) is on the quick back-up and may strip fitter for leading them up last Wednesday night.
R3 Ladbrokes 3yo Maiden, 1100m
SAKURA HIME (9) was a big market drifter on debut but defied that in a race where the trifecta spaced the rest. She did enough in a recent trial where she finished well, one placing ahead of GEEGEES BIG BIRD (5) who is one of several facing the starter for the first time. DING DING (8) was three-wide on-speed at her only start. She was too quick for a field that included BOKEO (2) and DEVIL SUN (4) in a recent Longford trial. ADA WAY (1) and ZULU GURU (10) come via a Longford trial that was the slowest for the day though neither horse was asked for maximum effort. They draw wide so it will be worth watching for any pattern through the first two races. LITTLE LIONEL (6) has only been seen on the carpet where he looked to have a bit to learn. Look for any market lead there.
R4 Bello Beau Class 1 Handicap, 1400m
NEEDS TO BELONG (2) was heavily supported last time in Devonport but gave supporters little reason to cheer. He was cluttered up in a muddling run race and never saw a lot of daylight. He draws wide here so traffic concerns shouldn't be a problem. MAARKLE (6) came from last in the same race to storm down the outside and just miss. She's been a nice money earner for John Luttrell and connections. SAXON MIST (7) resumes at 1400m but has only raced once in her career below this distance, and that was on debut. The recent Longford trial was good. ANONYMOUS SOURCE (1) resumes for a Siggy Carr stable which is 0/29 this season entering the meeting. She sat off the pace in a recent trial which isn't normally her style come race day. RIGHT HOOK (4) is hard fit and makes his own luck on speed. He seemingly didn't see out the mile when a beaten favourite last start. NOZTRABEEL (3) along with stablemate LAUNNIE NIGHTS (5) are a pair of several Brendon McShane-trained horses resuming on this card. They draw opposite sides of the track, but I'd say Noztrabeel is the pick of those two. HAS THE LOOK (8) received a pass mark first-up and is suited rising in distance.
R5 Mystic Journey Class 3 Handicap, 1200m
Adam Trinder has a pair of handy types resuming in OUTBOUND (3) and MAJESTIC DIAMOND (8) who have both trialled like they are ready to win first-up. Both horses will carry more weight than they have previously and aren't proven on wet ground if that eventuates. POWER MAGNUM (4) chases a hat-trick of wins. The depth of his Devonport victories are a little questionable but there's little doubt he's racing in great form. GEE GEES SO TRUE (1) has placed in seven of his nine career starts with all bar one of those being on the carpet. He makes his own luck on speed, but Chloe Wells has barrier 9/9 to contend with. MCSEWYN (2) rarely runs poorly. He was doing his best work late first-up. WE DESERVE THIS (5) missed a run last week as emergency. His best form is over a bit further. GEE GEE ALS PRINCE (6) may be able to position a little closer than recent starts from a better draw if he jumps well.
R6 Still A Star Open Handicap, 1100m
FIRST ACCUSED (2) resumes having not been since publicly since a narrow defeat at Caulfield. He's only missed a place once in his career from 16 starts and connections will be hoping this is the campaign where he establishes himself in the top echelon of horses in the state. MISS TUPPENCE (5) drops 4kg from a Devonport run where she finished behind stablemate Michbar who won last Wednesday. Her best performances have come over this distance but like her stablemates in the previous race, she's an unknown if the rain arrives. LIFFEYBEAU (3) has always been a good fresh horse and has finished in the quinella in seven of nine T&D runs. GEE GEE SECONDOVER (1) gets some weight relief with Chloe Wells taking the ride and generally handles most conditions if runners can make ground. GEE GEE LANETT (6) is now 20 starts without a win but should settle handier in this small field than she did last week where she didn't have a lot of clear racing room.
R7 Beat The Shark Bm60 Handicap, 1600m
ALPINE AFFAIR (1) has returned with a pair of wins, the latest over Needs Toasting who won here last week. He has his share of weight but John Blacker chooses not to claim, putting Liam Riordan on who rode a winner for the stable a week ago. Wetter the better for CAPTAIN DAVE (8) who has raced without a lot of luck this campaign and arguably deserves another win. BELL RINGER BOY (5) flashed late from miles back in Devonport to just miss. Track pattern will be important for him, drawing to sweep down the outside. ASHMANIA (2) was awful last time in Devonport which came on the back of a strong win at the T&D. GEE GEE ENUF SPEED (4) will find this a bit stronger than the Devonport mile win and rises 3kg from that victory. BANCA NIP (3), DUSTY JOE (6) and MALEOVELENT (9) all disappointed compared to market expectation last time, but their best would give this a shake.
R8 Alpine Wolf Bm68 Handicap, 2100m
MISS DELIA (3) finished ahead of POLITICAL (2) when they met last month in Devonport, that race ultimately decided in the steward's room. Miss Delia has since raced where was she just behind the flying Maincourt and Political has a 1.5kg swing in his favour. THE EXECUTIVE (4) should appreciate getting out to the 2100m staying trip and hasn't done a lot wrong in three prior starts this campaign. Stablemate BOND STREET BEAU (5) returns from a Victorian campaign where his results improved the further he went in distance. He's one of two rides on the card for Jarrod Lorensini and the blinkers go back on. PERUN (1) is an honest campaigner who won't mind sting out of the track and will stay all day. TURK DELIGHT (6) was a good run out of the same race but needs to prove he can run 2100m. PAGE (9) has picked off some low hanging fruit in a pair of recent Devonport wins and gets a chance to prove there is more depth to those results.
