Wednesday night means racing under lights in Launceston and punters can look forward to an 8 race program with plenty of depth. The rail is out 3m for the entire circuit after being in the True position last week, and with fine weather forecast the track should be firm and we can expect a consistent racing surface.
Race 1 6:15pm Foot & Playsted Maiden Plate (1400m)
A big field to start the night but only an average tempo on paper. Expect Gee Gees Tell All and Miss Choosey to roll across to take up the running from their wide gates, with Tymoshenko and Olly’s A Star also likely to push forward from awkward draws. The rest of the field generally likes to race midfield or worse so once the on-pacers come over they should get every chance.
Olly’s A Star continues to race well without luck in his races but again comes up with a wide alley here. Hasn’t missed a place over this trip in 5 tries and the only time he missed a place at this track he was desperately unlucky. He looks a decent chance of being able to slot in on the speed and will be very hard to beat if he can so he looks a leading chance in a very open race.
Miss Choosey ran well first up when 2nd behind promising galloper Harvey Bay who has won again since. Steps up to 1400m which is a trip she ran her best race of her first prep over and despite drawing the outside gate she looks able to get a pretty good run near the lead. Still lightly raced so with natural improvement she is a genuine winning hope and appeals as one of the better chances.
Saint’s Quest has been racing well in handy 3yo maidens without a lot of luck and looks ready for the 1400m now. McCoull sticks with him and he has the tongue tie on for the first time. Drawn pretty well and may be able to race closer with the slower tempo of the longer trip and if so he could end up in a great spot. A repeat of his strong finish last time sees him as a major player in this.
Hirvonen has been racing very well of late and comes here off a month’s break. Very good last time when he finally found a race of strong tempo to run a close 2nd to One Shot Off who has been flying ever since. Previous runs have been good in unsuitably run races and 1400m looks his ideal trip at this stage of his career. Maybe finds another softer tempo here which doesn’t suit and draws awkwardly but if the speed goes into the race he’ll be storming home late.
Hell Baby is a filly on the up who has run on reasonably well at both her starts despite being well beaten and looks ideally suited by the step up to 1400m. A half sister to good galloper Up Cups, she made up ground behind smart galloper The Master Speed last time out at this track and won’t find one that good in this. Draws inside and should get a soft run in behind the speed so if she can get clear running when required she has a good chance running home late.
Off The Grid has been much better this prep and comes here with a 1400m trial under her belt to keep her up to the mark. Has been competitive in a couple of fast run races in Hobart and now tackles this trip for the first time. Should get every chance to run it out strongly from her good draw and it does look suitable. Another one in with a hope here.
A number of other runners appear capable of featuring in the finish with the right run in an even race. Tymoshenko is first up for Edwin Batt with respectable mainland form, can roll forward on the speed and won a trial so can figure with market support. Livia’s Lite caught the eye when flashing home last time behind Because and rises to a more suitable trip in this. Gee Gees Tell All is limited but stuck at his task well last time and may be able to roll towards the lead from his wide gate. Takhi is slowly improving and wasn’t bad last time, while Kissed By Fire is a nicely bred mare who made some ground at her first start and is suited by the rise in trip.
Verdict: Olly’s A Star finds a suitable race if he can find the right spot near the lead. Miss Choosey appeals with a comfortable run on the speed likely, while Saint’s Quest is an improving type who put the writing on the wall last start. Hirvonen deserves obvious respect but query on whether he can get a tempo to suit.
Recommended Bet: Back Miss Choosey and Saint’s Quest to win.
Race 2 6:55pm Cascade Brewery Maiden Plate (1200m)
A number of on-pacers engaged here but it might be up to Pop A Lefty to come across from his wide gate and take up the running. Should be a genuine tempo with many capable of tussling for spots close to the lead so those off the speed will get their chance.
Sphero was very good when resuming behind The Master Speed and while that horse comfortably had his measure he beat the rest of the field by a big space. Finds a pretty thin maiden here and a repeat of his first up run is the clear benchmark in the race. Stands out as the obvious top pick and sure to be popular with punters.
Pretoria Miss is a capable mare who comes back to this trip after her first four career starts over 1400m. Has blinkers first time to sharpen her up and has had a month’s break between runs. Has run some good races which measure up well for this but comes up with the outside barrier to contend with. Looks one of the main dangers but has her work cut out to beat the favourite.
British makes his debut here after being scratched from a previous meeting. Has been gelded and has blinkers on for the first time as well as Anthony Darmanin booked for the sit so suggest he is ready to go. Trialled nicely 12 months ago when he beat The Master Speed in a Hobart trial so clearly has ability despite being only fair in his only trial this prep a month ago. Tricky stable to follow from the trials so market is a must watch and a forward showing would not shock at all.
Etown has been ticking over reasonably well without a lot of luck recently in two runs at Hobart. Draws for a better run here and 1200m should be suitable. Has had a lot of chances and the market support for him seems to be waning in recent times but is a chance to fight out minor money.
Next best in a thin race appears to be Glenferry Road (blinkers back on and well drawn for Pires but another who has had many chances), Pop A Lefty (showed speed when resuming and may be better for that run) and Lavish Lily (on debut so watch market but stable rider has the ride on Pretoria Miss).
Verdict: Looks a lovely race for Sphero to break his maiden status. If looking for one to beat him maybe British is the horse from clever stable and has a few signs that he is ready to run a big race on debut.
Recommended Bet: Sphero to win.
Race 3 7:30pm Longford New Years Day Picnic Race Meeting Class 1 Handicap (1100m)
Plenty of speed in this with I’m Wesley and Gee Gees Vicki both blessed with plenty of early speed. There are a number of on-pacers to keep the pressure on, particularly Step The Pedal, Geegees Double Jo, Jazzy’s Choice and Tambro’s Game, while Farnor West is drawn wide with a decision to make means the tempo should be good and no excuses for those off speed.
I’m Wesley looks an obvious leading hope on his two good runs in top 3yo company this prep. Ran well last time in the 3yo Cup when just a little outclassed and now looks suited by the drop back to 1100m and the inside draw. Plenty of weight against the older horses but Ulucinar’s claim helps there and he looks hard to beat.
Savrajette is a promising mare who was well performed last prep and has had two trials to prepare for this. McCoull takes the ride so suggest she is ready to go. Ideally suited over a bit further later on but has raced well early in her preps and with a likely strong tempo in this she can be finishing hard and looks a strong danger to the favourite.
Jazzy’s Choice was a very impressive last time out when breaking her maiden, running meeting best sectionals over the last 400m and winning by a good space over a horse who has won again since. Drops back in trip to 1100m but has winkers on first time. Gate 8 looks an awkward draw but she clearly has plenty of ability so if she can find cover she is a genuine threat and can win again.
Step The Pedal is first up for the Scott Brunton stable after racing in Victoria and Queensland with the Laming stable. Very easy winner of a trial leading into this and her mainland form is very respectable. Draws the inside gate here which should give her a beautiful run in behind the speed. Finds a tough class 1 to kick off in but looks to have plenty of ability and a likely gun run gives her strong claims.
Gee Gees Vicki has been well supported in recent runs but hasn’t had things quite go to plan. Wasn’t bad last time when racing outside the leader on a very fast tempo and comes here on the quick back up. Gets in light with Wong aboard and can race in a good spot near the lead from the good draw but finds a tough race and needs to improve on recent efforts and looks on the second level of chances.
Next best in a tough race look to be Farnor West (has plenty of ability and in light but drawn very badly) and Geegees Double Jo (continues to finish close up without really threatening).
Verdict: Looks 4 really good hopes with I’m Wesley the obvious one. He’ll be very hard to run down on a firm track with the rail playing well but has plenty of competition from Savrajette, Jazzy’s Choice and Step The Pedal.
Recommended Bet: I’m Wesley to win.
Race 4 8:05pm Steve’s Liquor 3yo Maiden Plate (1100m)
Should be a solid tempo here with Millie Mateba and Lotza Luck going forward from their inside gates. Turtles Nest can be there if he begins well, with Gee Gees Talk Fest and possibly the newcomers Roitfeld and What An Option going forward also. Doesn’t look to be too much speed drawn out so there might not be much pressure on the leading group once they find their positions.
Turtles Nest has been incredibly frustrating for punters but he continues to run solid races without winning that leave you thinking maybe today is the day. Has developed a habit of being tardy out of the gates which isn’t helping things and that can be an issue here from an inside gate. If he begins well he can find a good spot from gate 3 and his form is good enough to be the top pick – just maybe not quite the odds on chance he continues to be sent around.
Lotza Luck ran only fairly at his debut Tasmanian run at Devonport back in August before being given a break. Won a trial by 10L leading into this, running decent time in the process. Can race on speed and should get an ideal run from gate 2 for Pires. No surprise to see him improve sharply off that trial and looks one of the biggest dangers to the favourite.
Millie Mateba showed good speed at her second start to lead in Hobart before feeling the pinch late. Draws inside again and gets in super light with Stephanie Thornton taking 4kgs off. A repeat of last time would see her lead again from gate 1 and if she continues the good improvement she made from start 1 to start 2 she may prove hard to catch.
Gee Gees Talk Fest has been much improved this prep and may be suited coming back to 1100m considering the speed she has been able to show in her races. Clark’s claim brings her in under the minimum and she is also well drawn to get a good run on speed. Has been thereabouts at all 3 runs this prep and expect she will be there again in this.
Five horses have their first start here to make it a tricky race and the market is obviously worth watching closely to gauge their chances. Roitfeld won a trial by 6L in fair time and has the blinkers on. What An Option is also wearing blinkers and trialled alright behind The Master Speed but has to contend with an outside draw. Stablemates Special Shot and Tomarata both trialled alright at Devonport but also draw wide, while Opening Line is well bred from a good stable but hasn’t shown much at the trials.
Verdict: Turtles Nest again stands out as the leading chance in a tricky race with a lot of unknowns. Lotza Luck, Millie Mateba and Gee Gees Talk Fest all have speed and are capable of showing up, while the race isn’t beyond one of the first starters if they have good ability.
Recommended Bet: Lotza Luck each way.
Race 5 8:45pm Tasmanian Bakeries Benchmark 82 Handicap (1600m)
Miss It And A Bit can take up the running without any competition here, which is the first time this prep she has had that luxury. Not much obvious speed outside her, with Hugo, Geegees Brightstar and possibly Rose Of Innocence most likely to camp behind the lead. Might be hard for the backmarkers to get into the race if these on-pacers can run the race to suit.
Rose Of Innocence resumes with two trials under her belt in much the same way she did last prep when she won first up at a mile to start an unbeaten 7 run prep. Passed every challenge thrown at her last time in, culminating in a comfortable win in the St Leger. Can race handy to the speed which will suit and while it is a big ask for Thornton at this stage of her career her claim brings her in very nicely with just 56.5kgs. Very good mare who deserves to be favourite but if she’s vulnerable it is in this.
Hugo was an outstanding run last time in Hobart when he was the only backmarker to make up good ground before narrowly failing to catch Skip To The Moon in a fast run race. Should be cherry ripe for the mile now, a distance he hasn’t finished worse than 2nd at in 4 tries. Has been getting back recently but is capable of racing near the speed which would advantage in this. He looks to have an excellent chance and will give the favourite a run for her money.
Geegees Baritone had been racing in excellent form with two wins in a row before a disappointing 6th last time over 2100m. 3 weeks between runs back to a 1600m race looks suitable and he won at this track and distance 3 starts back over subsequent winner Fund Trader. Has form around the top two chances, will appreciate getting down to the minimum weight and has the ability to be right in the finish here.
Miss It And A Bit has been a bit disappointing this preparation but finally strikes a race where she can dictate from the front. 1600m is her trip and she gets in with only 51kgs with Sherry Barr’s claim. Doesn’t quite have the class of some of these but she can be a big improver with a comfortable run in front.
They look to be the four main winning hopes, with next best Geegees Brightstar (tough win last time, not well off at weights in this grade but gets a good run from gate 2). The other 3 in the event are all stayers on their way through and appeal as place chances at best.
Verdict: Hard to go past Rose Of Innocence but this is as vulnerable as she will be this prep. Hugo only has to run up to his last run to be an excellent winning hope, while Miss It And A Bit can give a big sight from the front.
Recommended Bet: Hugo – each way if odds allow.
Race 6 9:20pm Premium Events Catering Class 2 Handicap (1200m)
Just an average tempo for this sprint with Madame George and Teriki most likely to take up the running. Osborne and She’s Drahmatic can be on speed also but the remaining runners generally like to race midfield or worse so not much pressure on the leading few as a result.
Teriki steps up to 1200m here 4th up after racing at 1000m for all of her 5 career starts. Has been racing against some pretty smart horses, with the likes of Gee Gees Jet and Tshahitsi destined for much bigger things, so her form reads very respectably. From gate 2 she can get a good run near the lead and Clark’s claim brings her in on the minimum weight, but the main query with her is running a strong 1200m. If she can, she looks very hard to beat.
Hyperbole is a very promising mare who has been excellent at both runs back from a break. Charged home last time over 1000m chasing home Gee Gees Jet running some slick late sections and suited stepping back up to 1200m. Main concern here is the outside draw and lack of pressure up front as she runs her best races with cover chasing a good tempo but she has McCoull on top to find a spot and is going too well to not concede her a big chance.
Madame George comes back from top 3yo grade after finding the likes of Gee Gee Red Prince too slick last time. Was fair first up behind Tshahitsi, finishing alongside Teriki that day. Should get a good run near the lead but the jury is still out on her just a little with her two wins both coming at Devonport. Genuine chance but this is ‘d-day’.
Nissky is a promising 3yo who hasn’t finished off as well as expected at his two runs this prep. Wasn’t suited by how the race was run last time but might have similar issues in this field. Claim from Maskiell will help as would any run-on pattern emerging through the night. He can be finishing hard and is very capable of winning but his chances may be dictated to by the leaders go and how easy they get things in front.
Rustical is a handy mare returning to 1200m after a number of 1400m runs. Given a month break to freshen up for this which will help but prefers a good tempo to chase at the shorter trips and her best form is clearly 1400m. Has the ability if things go to plan but think she’s behind the top chances in this.
Think the winner will come from the top 5 chances, with Reann’s Diamond (very good two back at this trip) and Osborne (not bad last time in easier race, draws inside) next best.
Verdict: Teriki and Madame George are most suited by the likely tempo but Hyperbole and Nissky appeal as the best horses in the race – makes for a tricky affair. Giving Teriki a chance to prove herself at the trip with the right run but any run-on pattern would have me looking to the two backmarkers.
Recommended Bet: Teriki each way.
Race 7 10:00pm Launceston Cup Carnival in February Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m)
Another sprint without great pressure for the front. Gee Gees Jet and Gee Gees Style can take up the running at their leisure, with the only other runners who generally race in the first half of the field being Secrets She Has and Partenza. Such a lack of pressure up front makes it tough for the backmarkers.
Gee Gees Jet won in very impressive fashion last time and returns to a track and trip where he won very convincingly over 3 starts ago beating Son Of Faith. Drawn to get the front comfortably and can run along with no weight with Patterson-Doyle’s claim. Will find this a bit tougher than last time but gets things made to order and looks very hard to beat.
Gee Gees Style continues to race incredibly well having won 4 of his past 5 starts and he knows how to stick his head out, having won his past 3 by less than half a length. Even with Wong’s claim he has to carry 60.5kgs here which is an ask, especially considering he has to give Gee Gees Jet in the vicinity of 9kgs, but he gets a beautiful run on speed and will no doubt be right in the finish again.
Partenza is a very smart mare at her best on firm ground and she looks likely to get exactly what she likes here. Plain last time in Hobart on a shifting surface but last time she was on genuine firm ground she bolted in against a strong C1 field here back in October. McCoull should give her a gun run from gate 2 and she is a big chance to knock off the Gee Gees.
Erin’s Element has quality form on the board for a race of this class, coming from a dead heat 2nd in the Newmarket behind Hellova Street. Ran home in blistering sectionals there and strikes the same track and distance here. Also ran well previously in BM82 class when a close second to Gee Gees Top Notch so her form is top class. The issue against her here is the wide gate and lack of pressure up front, which is in contrast to her past two cracking runs and more like her runs previously where she was unplaced twice behind Gee Gees Style. Sure to have plenty of admirers but she might not have as great a chance as it initially seems.
Secrets She Has is a smart mare who was unfancied first up when a reasonable 3rd in the wrong part of the track in the straight behind Tshahitsi and Gee Gees Jet. Races well at Launceston and has run some good races in better company, including a 2nd to Valiant Warrior in the 3yo Classic over the Launceston Cup carnival. Finds a good spot from gate 4 near the speed and can improve sharply here second up.
Plenty of backmarkers among the remaining runners who are capable and can run home into a place but think they’ll have their work cut out to be the top chances here.
Verdict: Gee Gees Jet rises in grade but looks ideally placed to get every chance to lead all the way. Gee Gees Style always runs well but the handicapper is catching up with him, while Partenza can be the big improver on genuinely firm ground. Can’t pot Erin Element’s form, but she may be worth risking against the likely tempo and pressure.
Recommended Bet: Partenza each way.
Race 8 10:30 National Pies Maiden/Class 1 Plate (2100m)
Not much speed on paper for the last, with Steven’s Wonder capable of pushing forward from the outside barrier to take up the running. Saturday’s Hope and The Flyweight can go forward over this trip, and Dropaclanger showed last time he is capable of racing closer to the speed if the tempo isn’t there early.
Dropaclanger was a very comfortable winner under similar conditions a fortnight ago. Rises 2kgs for the win and finds a tougher field this time around, but last win was strong and he is one of the leading chances again.
Big Pegg has been racing well over shorter trips and looks cherry ripe to attempt the 2100m trip. Has form around Dropaclanger from earlier in her prep and is racing like the extra distance will suit her down to the ground. Won’t be overly suited if the tempo isn’t on up front which is a possibility but racing in good form and looks a good chance.
Steven’s Wonder was no match for Dropaclanger last time but was given little chance when sitting behind him in the run and was never going to be able to run him down from there. Has the blinkers applied for this and Raquel Clark takes the ride and is a good judge of pace in front. Suggest he will push forward from his outside gate and take some running down. Good chance to turn the tables with the right run.
The Flyweight was a good run here last week when second up over the mile and looks better suited again at this distance over which he scored his only career win. His best form last prep was on soft ground but his last run showed he is somewhat capable on firm conditions. One paced type but did run 5th in St Leger here when well out of his grade and has a genuine hope here with his good record at the distance.
Crib Point has been racing in good form over the mile and is ready to try the 2100m again, although it wasn’t been a fun distance for her in four unplaced tries in the past. Form ties in with many of the chances here and is going better than when tackling this trip previously, but with that distance doubt there and her poor strike rate she will need all the breaks to go her way.
Next best looks to be Squire and Mensa Magic, who both have stronger form than many of these at shorter trips but take on this trip for the first time which can often be a hard hurdle to overcome. If either run the trip strongly they can win but prefer to see them do so first.
Verdict: Handy little race to finish with a number of different formlines to line up and a number of runners taking on this trip for the first time. Dropaclanger will be well fancied to win again but Steven’s Wonder can turn the tables with a good run in front. The Flyweight on the quick backup can also run a race up to his preferred distance range.
Recommended Bet: Steven’s Wonder each way.