LIGHTLY raced three-year-old Shah Deimos could get punters off to a flying start in Launceston tonight.
The Kath Kennedy-trained gelding has had only two starts for minor placings but there is no doubt he was unlucky not to break his maiden status last start.
He was held up at a crucial stage in the home straight and had rider Anthony Darmanin been able to extricate his charge from the rails he could have made the finish a bit more interesting.
Shah Deimos (Statue of Liberty-Venus A Go Go) should appreciate stepping up to the 1400 metres and from barrier four Darmanin should be able to secure a handy spot in the first half of the field.
The likely dangers are the Adam Trinder-trained Glendevie (Brendon McCoull) that ran home well last start over 1200 metres clocking 34.15 seconds from his last 600 metres.
The Dylan Clark-trained Must Confess also comes into calculations given his placings at two of his most recent outings.
The John Blacker-trained Sonetto took 48 starts to win her first race (2100m) but her efforts at three subsequent starts have been full of merit, of which two have been over the shorter trip of 1600m.
Sonetto steps up to the 2100 metres which is going to play in her favour in race three.
The toughest race on the eight-event card is the class one handicap over 1200 metres (race five).
It sees the return of the Mick Burles-trained Laharun that showed great promise last preparation but he comes up against a line-up that would not be out of place on a feature race day.
Last start winner Court Candel could not have been more impressive in winning on debut last Wednesday week, while Arkadashim, Prickly Diamonds, Vision Touch and Must Be Love have shown above average ability.
Add to the mix the well-performed Osborne from the Bill Ryan stable and we have the ingredients to ensure a competitive race.
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