3 minute read
Favourite shows class Listed Launceston Guineas.
The Patrick Payne-trained Bold Soul ($1.65) will be set for the $150,000 Tasmanian Derby (2200m) on 9 February after an emphatic win in the Listed $125,000 Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas (2100m) in Launceston on Friday night.
The hot favourite was 'poleaxed' at the start and forced to settle last in the field of seven, and when the tempo increased approaching the home turn, Bold Soul was off the bit and chasing.
"I just had to take my medicine, get him into a nice rhythm.
"They really put the peddle down hard at the 800m, and to my bloke's credit, he really looked gone, but he picked himself up off the canvas and showed his class late," jockey Jake Noonan said.
So quickly did Bold Soul finish; he scored by 1.25 lengths from fellow Victorian Macy Moon ($4.60) with Tassie 3YO Johnnie Pinch ($23) third.
Favourite starts the night offBold Soul wasn't the only tough watch for favourite punters as it took every inch of the home straight to get there when the heavily backed Loyalty Blues arrived on the line to win in a photo finish in the 1100m maiden.
After placings at his two starts in Hobart, Loyalty Blues was crunched from $3.50 to start the $2 favourite.
"Obviously, his runs in Hobart had been very good but coming to a new track he was looking at the surroundings; he was off the bridle the whole way,
"I didn't think I was going to pick up Espur, but to this horse's credit, he really knuckled down and hit the line," jockey David Pires said.
Esper ($12) looked to have the race won until the last bound, and What's New Pussycat ($8) finished third.
Kate opens her accountWhile punters started off on the right note, it didn't last long when roughie Alpine Kate ($26) took out the first division of the 1400m maiden.
Given a gun run just off the speed from a wide draw, Alpine Kate had a couple of lengths to spare from Miss Tanzanite ($4) with Need To Think ($4.80) third.
"She jumped really well, and I was able to get a really good spot; she got home well last start after getting a little too far back, (tonight) she went on the job and got it done," jockey Hayley McCarthy said.
Trained by Kelvin Hamilton, Alpine Kate was having just her fifth race start.
