Longford hosted its traditional New Year’s Day meeting which saw a competitive 6 race card and plenty of value for punters with a number of longer-priced winners despite the field limits of 8 runners. Scott Brunton trained a double including the winner of the Longford Cup Miss It And A Bit, while jockeys shared the spoils with 6 different riders kicking home a winner each.
Race 1 12:57pm Incitec Pivot Maiden Plate (1400m)
Dehughes got a few punters off to a flying start, leading all the way to win by 6 lengths after being very well supported ($13 into $6.50). He found the lead comfortably and was allowed to roll along in front and that was all he needed to slip clear around the turn to win by a big space. His form previously was only fair and unfortunately they only go around at Longford once a year so he will need to improve as he moves into C1 grade, but at least he ran decent time and can make his own luck.
Saint’s Quest was forced to race 3 wide for most of the race and worked around the field to challenge on turning but understandably knocked up in the run to the line. He did a good job to hold on for 2nd after the tough run and should lose no admirers from the run. Tomarata had a reasonably cushy run outside the leader but was only plain hanging on for a well-beaten 3rd, while race favourite Poacher’s Son wasn’t well away and was always well back in a very average effort.
Race 2 1:32pm T A Bricknell Maiden Plate (1400m)
Livia’s Lite appreciated a strong tempo here to come from a clear last to swoop down the middle and break her maiden status. With many horses looking to lead the pressure was on throughout and Livia’s Lite was produced down the side by Moore to pounce as the leaders felt the pinch. The overall time was quite slow and she was well suited so this win probably doesn’t tell us much more than what we already knew but the confidence a win can bring should never be underestimated.
Opening Line was an improved effort at her second run but did get the perfect run behind the leaders and through on the inside. Gee Gees Talk Fest battled away alright for 3rd after being in the leading group but she was advantaged by holding the rail also. Race favourite Sh’bourne Dylaca was very firm around the $2.40 mark but after going forward early she was forced to cover ground throughout and faded to finish at the tail. Her run can be forgiven.
Race 3 2:07pm Queens Arms Hotel Benchmark 62 Handicap (1400m)
Pengalas Gee Gee was a strong tip around and the punters who backed him ($5.50 to $4.40) had very little to worry about as he went all the way in front to win as he liked. Tayla Patterson-Doyle got him out of the gates in smart fashion to find the lead and rated him nicely in front as he relished his light weight to score a soft win. That may have been start 99 but he showed he still has a zest for racing and is still capable when finding a suitable race.
Savvy Princess was well found ($15 to $7) and she ran an honest race after enjoying a good run near the lead to run a clear 2nd, while Finalargee ran home reasonably well down the outside after covering some ground turning in what was a pretty good effort for 3rd. These horses are all pretty exposed by now and this race didn’t really tell us anything more that we didn’t already know.
Race 4 2:42pm Sues of Invermay Maiden/Class 1 Plate (1800m)
Big Pegg was clearly the class runner of the field here and she rewarded the backers who made her a $2.05 favourite with a big finish to win narrowly. The big concern with her was always going to be the tight turning track and it was well founded considering she had to cover plenty of ground wide but in the end she was just too good for her opposition. She looks to be a promising staying mare and can be competitive as she moves into BM62 grade.
Hoffsetter was sharply up in trip and stuck at her task well to wear down the leader but had to settle for 2nd when the favourite swamped her late. Assez Bien was given every chance by Siggy Carr in front but after skipping clear on turning she was claimed pretty easily in the run to the line and had to settle for 3rd. Not much to say for the beaten brigade and this doesn’t look much of a form reference going forward.
Race 5 3:21pm Tasmanian Livestock Services Benchmark 62 Handicap (1800m)
Cheryl’s Horse was sent out the $1.90 on the back of an excellent 1400m run last time out behind Tshahitsi and he ran right up to that effort with a dominant 6.5 length victory. Boris Thornton had him perfectly poised behind the leader and when Able Ken rolled off the fence down the side he took the run quickly up along the fence and the race was as good as over. He has solid 2100m form under his belt in this state but his last two runs show he may be still improving and can at least continue to feature in restricted staying events in the near future.
Our Anna ran a reasonable race to finish off into 2nd and can be competitive in these lower grade staying events, while Electric Crimson was only plain after making a good start to his staying career in this state. Hard to make a case for any of the beaten brigade to take from this race but the winner is racing in good form.
Race 6 3:55pm Cressy Chaff Cutters Jim Osborne Longford Cup (1800m)
Miss It And A Bit was well-supported at longer odds to win the Cup ($21 to $12) and she did just that courtesy of an excellent front-running ride from Sherry Barr. She didn’t find much pressure in the lead but ran along at a good clip to take the sprint out of the chasers and it proved a winning move. She was completely out of petrol on the line and shifted out late but she had done enough to land the prize. Barr doesn’t get a lot of support but showed again she is more than capable out in front on a horse that likes to run along and her claim can be very handy for such a type of horse. This may prove to be the highlight of Miss It And A Bit’s career as she looks short of the top grade but her racing pattern will continue to give her opportunities in suitable races.
Up Cups ran a very good race from back in the field to run home into 2nd and he continues to race well, although his racing style does mean he requires a lot to go his way in this grade. Aventador also ran a nice race to finish close up in 3rd and continues to impress through his grades, while Lingo was also within a length of the leader in 4th to show his previous Devonport run was just an aberration in an otherwise consistent preparation. Settler’s Stone ran on reasonably well from back in the field in his hardest test to date and will be better suited on a bigger track, while Fund Trader was very disappointing in the run home and his Devonport Cup chances look in tatters.