Racing returns to Launceston this Wednesday night for what promises to be the biggest and best night season yet. The track has received a good break and with fine weather forecast we should see a track in perfect condition. The rail is out 6m from the 1200m to the winning post and out 5m for the remainder.
Race 1 6:20pm Neil Buckby Landrover Class 2 Handicap (1400m)
Capacity field here and there looks to be plenty of competition for the lead. Before All, Arkadashim, Don’t We Love It and It’s Flash Al can all lead on their day, and it’s worth noting the two emergencies can also race close to the lead too if they get a run. A strong tempo may assist some of the better chances who have drawn wide in finding a decent position in the run.
Luxembourg created a big impression at his Tasmanian debut with a strong win sitting just off a strong tempo in a C1 at Hobart a fortnight ago. This is his first try at 1400m but the way he hit the line there suggests it shouldn’t be an issue. More of an issue will be his wide barrier and he is going to need some luck for Kelvin Sanderson to find a position where he won’t have to cover too much ground. Looks an obvious winning hope in this.
Varian is a good performer at this track who will appreciate the 1400m much more than his first up run at 1100m where he was run off his legs in a fast run race. He gets in pretty well at the weights with the claim for Kyle Maskiell and should get a tempo to suit his big finish. Won easily second up this track/trip last time in and shapes as a big improver.
Fund Trader was heavily backed last time over a mile following a very good run at his first try in Tasmania but was very disappointing in the run home. Trainer Adam Trinder has switched him back to 1400m here, reapplied the blinkers and importantly Brendon McCoull has retained the ride. Maybe the shorter trip will see him return to the form he showed first up, so if you can forgive his last run he appeals as a leading chance in this.
Sentinel is a promising 4yo who was a beaten favourite first up but things didn’t really pan out his way. This trip looks more suitable for him and he gets in light with the Raquel Clark claim. He should appreciate getting cover behind a good tempo and Launceston could suit his racing pattern better than Devonport where he has done all his racing. No surprise to see sharp improvement from him and he’s a winning chance here.
Rustical ran fairly first up when not really suited but looks much better placed here at 1400m. Worth noting she won second up at this track/trip last prep beating exciting mare Ryan’s Daughter comfortably, so she is more than capable of showing up in this grade. Damian Thornton has taken the ride which is a good lead and a much better run is to be expected.
Eternal Speed has been racing well at Devonport throughout the winter and although this is tougher he is capable of being in the finish, while Don’t We Love It ran well when resuming at Devonport but all his best form is on the Tapeta surface.
Verdict: Open race to kick off. Luxembourg will be very hard to beat if he doesn’t have to cover too much ground, while Varian and Sentinel are good horses who can improve sharply on their first up runs.
Recommended Bet: Look for value with Varian each way.
Race 2 6:55pm Melbourne Cup Tour 2015 F&M Maiden Plate (1200m)
Another big field means there should be plenty of early speed here to give all runners their chance. Gee Gees Blondie and Parisian Lush look like taking up the running but could find pressure from a number of on pacers drawn wide looking for a position. Looks like a maiden with a stack of depth to it and plenty of runners who can feature with the right run.
Gee Gees Blondie has run into a few nice 3yos this prep and could be considered a bit unlucky to still be winless. She has drawn ideally in 2 and gets in light for Victor Wong. This is her first try at 1200m and there may be a query on her having started this prep back in June but she looks to get every chance to finally break her maiden status.
Commanding Dash comes here with good Victorian provincial form when previously with the Darren Weir stable. Hard to improve one on Weiry but that form is strong enough for this and the blinkers go on for the first time. The main issue will be the wide barrier but if Kyle Maskiell can work some magic she looks a very strong winning chance.
Big Pegg had very good maiden form at this track during the last night racing season and wasn’t too bad first up in a leader dominated affair. Blinkers go on for the first time in this and Toker stays with her. If he can negotiate the awkward barrier she can run a very big race.
Tara’s Gem has run well at both her runs on the Tapeta and now gets her first look at a turf track. Damien Thornton takes the ride for this and can likely find a good position just behind the speed. She should be strong at the end of the 1200m and looks just about ready to fire at her third run.
Cameo Kiss is an interesting runner first up for the Adam Trinder stable. She has very reasonable Victorian form to her name when racing for Michael Kent, has blinkers for the first time and gets in well with Beau Mertens’ claim. Add a good draw to the mix and it would be no surprise to see a strong market move for her if fancied, so keep an eye on the betting.
Magnacash did a good job to come from last to run 3rd at his only race start in what has turned out to be a very good maiden race which produced a number of subsequent winners. This half sister to handy stayer Keep The Cash comes here without a trial but looks a type that will appreciate 1200m first up. Wide barrier will make things difficult but if she can get cover in the run she will likely benefit from the likely solid tempo and can go close.
Like The Wolf has run some handy races at Devonport through the winter and wasn’t disgraced in the Magic Millions 2yo race earlier in the year on her only try at this track. Drawn to get a great run with cover in behind the speed and she can win if she gets the breaks through the field.
Elusive Moment didn’t show a whole lot as a 2yo but has improved at the trials leading into this run, has blinkers first time and Brendon McCoull takes the ride. There’s a bit there to say this half sister to Iggimacool can show good improvement this time in.
Verdict: Very hard race with a host of chances and those mentioned above don’t even cover them all. The market will tell the tale with many of these first up and may well be your best guide to the race.
Recommended Bet: Try your luck with Commanding Dash.
Race 3 7:30pm Launceston Toyota C, G & E Maiden Plate (1200m)
Despite the big field there isn’t much obvious speed, with on pacers Paleface Presto, Claiborne King and Becerikli most likely to take up the running. Not a hard race to win with not many of these having shown anything to recommend them on, either in a race or at the trials.
Becerikli stands out as the obvious here. Good at both runs since the blinkers were applied at Devonport in fast run races. Has to bring that form back to turf but first couple of runs at this track were respectable. Barrier is a little awkward but can go forward in a race with little genuine speed. Looks clear top pick.
Claiborne King ran alright behind Becerikli at his only start at Devonport a fortnight ago and draws to get a good run again here. He can also race close to the speed which should be an advantage and you would expect the race experience can result in some improvement for his second run. Should be thereabouts.
Dropaclanger ran a reasonable race when resuming but best form is over longer trips and the drop to 1200m doesn’t seem ideal. That said there isn’t great opposition in this so a repeat of his last run measures up ok for this.
There’s not much more exposed form to speak of in this. Buster debuts here after a plain trial but does draw the inside and is worth watching the market on in a race of little depth. Chaff Merchant wasn’t hopeless at its only start and didn’t finish far away from a pre-blinkered Becerikli. Hirvonen has good enough form if you go back to last year but his 3 runs this time in have been plain (albeit with excuses). Paleface Presto wasn’t bad last time but has had plenty of chances. Seggers was in the market at his only run and wasn’t terrible, so maybe he can improve with barrier 2 looking a bonus.
Verdict: Very little form to recommend so Becerikli and Claiborne King look the obvious. Worth watching the market to see if anything has been showing a bit more at home than at the track.
Recommended Bet: Becerikli to win.
Race 4 8:05pm Neil Buckby Subaru Benchmark 82 Handicap (1200m)
Only the two genuine pace runners here. Wonzzee can lead unless Victor Wong wants to go fast on Pengalas Gee Gee, in which case David Pires is likely to have Wonzzee parked right on his hammer.
Wonzzee looks ideally placed here. Decent effort first up when racing on strong speed and disadvantaged by run on pattern. Drops to limit weight and finds a race where most runners are better suited over a little longer. Drawn beautifully and should get comfortable run close to the speed. Has won here on firm ground. Hard to beat.
Our Casanova was a gutsy effort when winning last time in this grade on the Tapeta at Devonport. Stays down in the weights with Raquel Clark’s claim and races alright at this track. Can race in the front half and be close enough to strike if good enough.
Pengalas Gee Gee went for pure speed last time back to 1150m and ran well when 3rd behind Our Casanova. Reckon he might do the same here with no weight again and has placed 6 times out of 10 tries at this track and trip. With most of these likely to take a bit to get going he may use his speed to pinch a break and stick on to be somewhere in the finish.
Grey Gown is a smart mare who always sprints well fresh. Will settle last but has a booming finish and the small field may help as she won’t be too far off them. Both runs this track/trip have been very good and firm ground is no issue. Like to see some market support for her first up without a trial but expecting her to be finishing hard.
Red Eagle races better at 1400m and beyond but he finished close up last time behind Our Casanova and races very well at Devonport. Capable of racing nearer the speed in these smaller fields and has shown up often at this track at 1400m. 1200m might be just a bit sharp for him but the same goes for most runners in this.
Jakcorijim is another wanting a bit further but has run some very good races at sprinting trips at Launceston in his career. Getting on now at 9 years of age but wasn’t far away behind Our Casanova last time. Hasn’t ever won at 1200m so hard to see him doing so at this stage of his career but can find a place.
Verdict: Hard to go past Wonzzee, with Pengalas Gee Gee looking the value runner.
Recommended Bet: Win bet on Wonzzee.
Race 5 8:45pm Field Family Class 1 Handicap (1200m)
Could be a strong tempo here. Expect Nielson to take up the lead but he’s going to have company with Danzqui and Morgatoche capable of going quickly, while Duran and Helera might choose to push on from their wide gates to find a spot. Throw in Another Charlee, O’Rayo and Flight Mode who are all capable of being hard on the speed themselves and there could be fireworks early.
Duran is racing in good form and seems to be racing best at the sprinting trips. Very good last time in fast run race. Hasn’t encountered too many firm tracks since he’s been in the state but was beaten a nose in a mile on good ground so don’t think it will be an issue. Main issue looks to be the wide barrier but if Boris Thornton can find a position he looks hardest to beat.
Lord Farquaad has run home strongly at both runs this prep and looks cherry ripe for this third up. The blinkers go on and it appears likely he’ll get speed on to suit. Yet to strike a genuine firm track so that’s a small query but this does look pretty suitable for him if horses are able to make ground from back in the field.
Nielson bolted in last time on the Tapeta when controlling the lead. Think he will lead again from the good draw but is likely to have to work against pressure from his outside. Maybe the firm track will be his greatest hurdle to overcome, with his better form on soft tracks or Tapeta and trainer Adam Trinder has mentioned he has a few issues which need to be managed.
By Order is a newcomer to the Scott Brunton state and hasn’t covered himself in glory so far in Victoria, winning just once in 22 tries. That said, he has finished close up on a number of occasions on the strong provincial circuit, and trialled very well at Hobart in pretty good time. Worth monitoring the market with this one.`
O’Rayo hasn’t done much wrong at both runs in Tasmania and survived a protest to break his maiden last time. This is harder but he draws perfectly and may get the gun run to put him in the finish.
Danzqui ran pretty well last time in the hot Luxembourg race and won her only start on this track by a big space. Going to find a fair bit of pressure near the lead you would think and hasn’t shown much form on genuine dry ground, but her last run was good enough against some of the top fancies in this to say she can be around the mark.
Verdict: Duran and Lord Farquaad have the strongest formlines here with a watch on the first upper By Order. Maybe Lord Farquaad is best suited by a likely strong tempo.
Recommended Bet: Back Lord Farquaad to win.
Race 6 9:20pm Leigh Flaherty City Cars Benchmark 62 Handicap (1400m)
Looks only a standard tempo with Tambro’s Game and Hollywood Gothic looking the ones to take up the running. Reckon Hollywood Gothic and Issawi look to have the race between them and think one of them will win given even luck.
Hollywood Gothic landed the bets first up but it was his second up run that really made people sit up and take notice. He showed he could run time and beat some pretty decent horses by a big space. He looks to make it 3 in a row in this grade and with Raquel Clark’s claim the handicapper hasn’t got a hold of him yet. No reason he can’t take his winning form from the Tapeta to the Strathayr.
Issawi was very firm in betting in harder grade first up when close up at the shorter 1100m trip in Hobart. Two starts back he was placed in a BM64 at Mildura at this trip and with his ability to race handy to the speed he looks primed for a box seat run from gate 4. He’s a very strong winning chance and looks certain to be somewhere in the finish.
Finalargee hasn’t had much luck at all 3 runs this prep with wide draws and smaller fields making it hard for her to relax and find a good spot in running. She has still run some ok races considering, and from gate 3 she might be able to get the smother she’s been looking for. That might show us the real one here and with very good track and distance stats combined with proven performances in this grade and higher she appeals as the blowout chance against the obvious.
Fillout The Ticket hasn’t been going too well lately but has been racing in harder grade and he has won 3 races at this track. Definite place claims at the very least and will be finishing hard if the pressure up front goes on a little early.
Verdict: Hollywood Gothic and Issawi are the two racing in very good form in a race where most are either in poor form or only just going.
Recommended Bet: Back Hollywood Gothic to win and save with a quinella with Issawi.
Race 7 9:55pm Unbreakable Toyota Hilux Benchmark 62 Handicap (1600m)
Doesn’t look much speed in this. Outsider By Far might work to the lead but could just as easily settle near the tail. Aventador, Volcanic Sky and Fairly French are all capable of racing closer to the speed and Victor Wong might make a decision to head forward on Geegees Baritone from the outside gate.
Flying Cruiser was a stunning win first up when right down the outside on a Hobart track where the fence had gone right off. Both his runs at Launceston last prep were good and he has won here at this trip. Ideally he’d like some good speed on but the run down the side at this track gives him his chance to wind up and the mile looks perfect for him 2nd up. Very hard to beat again.
Ocean Star is racing in excellent form and wasn’t far behind Flying Cruiser last time. She might be able to settle closer to the speed here from gate 1 which could be a bonus if the tempo isn’t on. Rise to a mile looks ideal at her 5th run in. Expect her to run well again and with a bit of luck she is capable of turning the tables.
Geegees Baritone is a smart 4yo who has run well at all 3 starts this time in. Ready for the mile and ran 2nd at his only try at it behind Rose Of Innocence back in January. What Wong does from the outside gate is one of the keys to the race – if he goes forward and gets in cheaply he will just about win the race but if he gets trapped wide or goes right back to get in his job is much tougher. Definite winning hope but you’d like some odds to justify the risk from the draw.
Aventador has run reasonably both times on the Tapeta and comes here for his first try at a mile. Inside draw and no obvious speed means he can take a run close to the speed if desired but Toker has been keen to take hold at his last two runs so maybe he will try to do so again to see that he runs a strong mile. Bit of a guess how this will pan out but he is going well enough to be in the finish if things go his way in the run.
Niloufar has been disappointing lately after a few good runs to start this prep. Was comfortably handled by Flying Cruiser and Ocean Start last time but he wasn’t out wide like they were and his run in BM82 company at a mile 3 starts ago was solid against good company. An effort like that would have him featuring somewhere here.
Verdict: Flying Cruiser looks mighty hard to beat again if the backmarkers can figure but Ocean Star might be able to take advantage of the inside draw to give him a shake.
Recommended Bet: Ocean Star each way.
Race 8 10:30pm Launceston Mitsubishi Benchmark 72 Handicap (2100m)
Should be a genuine tempo here with Sandeep and Spotluck taking it up with Criollo also likely to work forward from the widest gate. A very even race with all runners going well enough to have some winning chance, so it might pay to look to those on the up.
Bitter Dan is racing in super form and comes here off a close up 2nd in this grade over a mile. All his recent form has been on the Tapeta but he did win his only run at this track over a mile on heavy ground. 2100m is unchartered territory so is a query but he gets in light with the claim for Kyle Maskiell and does look on the up in a race of old stagers.
Accounted Four won well at this trip last time in weaker grade after being given a gun ride by Thornton. A decent rise in grade here but he drops to the limit weight and the form from his win has measured up alright against a number of these who got bloused by the maiden Our Winston at Hobart. Promising type who can go on in this.
Spotluck was a disappointing favourite last time when 4th before being disqualified for weighing in light, but she may not have been suited leading at a very slow tempo and was racing against the fence in the straight which was clearly the worst ground by the end of the day. Has won 6 times at this track and distance and while Sandeep is unlikely to give her any peace she can improve sharply with the right run.
Willow The Wisp ran well last time at his first try at 2100m when 3rd at Hobart behind Our Winston. Think he will be much better for the run and does perform well at this track. Has always shaped as a horse to excel at this distance range so it would be no surprise to see him run well here.
Sun Disk is the class runner of the race but comes here off a 70 day break, has plenty of weight and prefers softer tracks, so he has a fair bit against him.
Musique Player, Sandeep and Shipspotting are all capable on their day in this grade and have minor claims but they don’t often win out of turn, while Criollo is ticking over ok and has performed reasonably at this distance range when racing in Victoria.
Verdict: Bitter Dan and Accounted Four are the fresh ones on the scene in a race where most have a few convictions.
Recommended Bet: Bitter Dan each way.