The Listed Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas over 2100 metres represents the first time that many of these three-year-olds will have run over the distance. Without having proof of their staying credentials, this race can throw an upset result as we saw last year when Gee Gee Secondover finished unplaced as a $1.70 favourite.
Speed in the race should come from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Superhombre who has gone forward at all three of his starts, with Gaius Julius perhaps looking most likely of the local runners to race at the head of the field. One or both of Argyle Beach and Still A Star may be aggressive from the barriers as they were last start, given their wide draws.
- Heaven’s Bonus (7) – Assessed Price $11.00
The gelding was scratched on race morning from the Guineas with an elevated temperature and you have to feel for connections as he was undoubtedly a winning chance in that race. He has been racing as well as anything in the lead-up races but missing the 1600m run will have surely been a setback, and he may need this one to be spot on if the Derby is the plan next start.
- Argyle Beach (12) – Assessed Price $8.00
Craig Newitt took the initiative in the Guineas by rolling to the front and that tactic enabled him to run a clear second in a race dominated on-speed. Jack Martin takes the ride with Newitt suspended, and from the widest gate it will be interesting to see whether they choose to go forward again. Showed good fight when challenged at the mile and he has always raced like extra ground will be a positive.
- Mywordis (1) – Assessed Price $30.00
He sat midfield in the Guineas and added value into the exotics by running third at $101.00. Draws to do little work from gate one for Anthony Darmanin and only has 3.5 lengths to make up from last start if he sees the trip out strongly.
- Superhombre (10) – Assessed Price $9.00
Eyebrows are always raised when a Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained horse is among the acceptors and having the gelding here certainly adds an element to the race. He has led at all three starts, so expect him to roll forward from the wide draw, but the quality of races he has come through doesn’t look strong. He is likely to be under riding a long way out and battle on strongly in the run to the judge. Not sure he has the quality to beat Still A Star if she runs 2100m, but you always respect the stable when they bring one to Tasmania, and they won this race three years ago with Northwest Passage.
- Dixie’s Boy (5) – Assessed Price $80.00
He was friendless in betting when the rain arrived last Friday and could only battle to a midfield finish after racing on-speed. That run at least gave him the grounding of a 2100m hit-out and provided he has taken no harm from what was no doubt a taxing race on a heavy 8 surface, he may run into the money at a big price.
- Our Little Ted (4) – Assessed Price $70.00
After winning his maiden on 13 November, Cameron Thompson flagged these staying races as a target. He ground home in the Guineas and will be reliant on the extra distance being a significant factor to turn the tables on those who finished ahead of him in that race.
- Tee Jay Frankie (2) – Assessed Price $100.00
Another that comes through the Guineas where he enjoyed a lovely trail behind the quinella, and you would have liked to see him finish a bit stronger for the rise in trip given the run he had. Blinkers go on though, and from gate 2 he should land in a handy position.
- Sir Dana (6) – Assessed Price $50.00
The second of two horses trained outside Tasmania that will run in the race. His one win came at the Hanging Rock picnics on New Year’s Day, and the prior run he faded badly after over-racing in the lead. It’s a decent jump to go from a picnic to a Listed race, but if he can run the trip out, he may at least earn enough prizemoney to pay for the Tasmanian visit.
- Vamos Raffa (3) – Assessed Price $12.00
Formerly trained by Richard Laming, the gelding has been smashed in betting at all three Tasmanian runs and you could argue he should’ve won at least one of his last two. He was ridden very quietly last start and only got going when the race was over. Like most, the 2100m is an unknown but he’s finished very strongly in two 1600m runs leading in, and he may give a sight if he David Pires can use an inside draw to settle closer in the run.
- Gaius Julius (8) – Assessed Price $60.00
He rose sharply in trip at Longford when finishing third behind Iowna over 1800m last start. He has raced in the front half at all three of his runs, so may be one that can push forward with these races rarely run at a strong tempo given the query over the fields staying capabilities. Glass Warrior placed in a Longford maiden leading into a demolition job in this race last year, so the task isn’t impossible, although it does look unlikely.
- Olympic Honour (3) – Assessed Price $40.00
He finished just behind the stablemate Vamos Raffa last start after landing much closer to the lead in a race where the winner went to the front half-way through the race. He’s been around the mark at all runs this campaign.
- Still A Star (11) – Assessed Price $2.20
Nine starts into her career and the filly is yet to finish outside the quinella. She’s been outstanding in all four runs this campaign, the only time she had her colours lowered was a fast finishing second in the 3YO Trophy. The tempo was slow in the Guineas, but she still had to sit outside the leader and was far too strong late. Gate 11 is awkward, but the Guineas proved that she can race forward or back and she’s the one they all need to beat.
Matt Reid’s Launceston Guineas market:
| Heaven’s Bonus | 11 | 9% |
| Argyle Beach | 8 | 13% |
| Mywordis | 30 | 3% |
| Superhombre | 9 | 11% |
| Dixie’s Boy | 80 | 1% |
| Our Little Ted | 70 | 1% |
| Teejay Frankie | 100 | 1% |
| Sir Dana | 50 | 2% |
| Vamos Raffa | 12 | 8% |
| Gaius Julius | 60 | 2% |
| Olympic Honour | 40 | 3% |
| Still A Star | 2.2 | 45% |
| 100% |