THE first night meeting of the season will be run in poor weather conditions but finding winners should not be too big a task at The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston tonight on what is expected to be a dead track (dead 5).
The nine-race card boasts full fields in all but the class four and the open handicap.
Conquering has been scratched from the open handicap (1600m) as his trainer Charlie Goggin no doubt opted to miss the race given the likelihood of a heavy track and his charge having to carry 65 kilograms.
The opening race promises to be an open betting affair with multiple minor placegetters including My Regards, Superolic, La Pampa and Jakcorijim of which any one could start favourite.
Astraphobic is likely to start favourite in the second race but punters have been burned at her five starts in Tasmania in which she has filled a minor placing after being heavily backed.
Premier jockey Brendon McCoull has stuck with the Barry Campbell-trained filly and should she get an easy lead or a cushy run in the race she should break through.
The interesting runner in the race is Laduka that is a full brother to star mare Lady Lynette.
Laduka was purchased for only $3500 at the 2009 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale with the low cost attributed to the gelding being on the small side.
His trainer Leon Wells is confident he will win races but doesn’t expect too much on debut, although he has secured the services of top rider Craig Newitt who has a good book of rides at the meeting.
Apprentice Jason Maskiell is another high profile rider who has been lured to the meeting and his best winning chance appears in race three in Avachar for his grandfather Ken Hanson.
Avachar has been placed at three of his past four outings and while there are a few chances in the race he is as good as any and each-way odds should be on offer.
For those who have a bank coming into the last on the card should unload on former Victorian Zilzaal that impressed with a second behind the very smart Too Many Reds at his Tasmanian debut on this track three weeks ago.
The Peter Brazil-trained gelding flashed home over the 1100 metres and should appreciate the extra 100 metres and will have benefitted from his first-up assignment.
Peter Staples’ Best Bets.
Race 4 # 3 Sir Danely Summer.
Race 6 # 6 Second Dozen.
Race 9 # 6 Zilzaal.