Ten races are scheduled for decision at the Launceston Pacing Clubs’ Make A Wish Foundation meeting at The TOTE Racing Centre (Launceston) on Sunday night. All will have Sky 1 coverage.
Two horses are having their first race start in Tasmania and are likely to be well supported. Pants Off Friday and Clyde Maguire are both entered in Race 4.
Pants Off Friday is a three year old gelding having its first start for trainer Brooke Hammond, who has recently moved to Pipers River where she shares a training complex with Kate MacLeod.
Pants Off Friday is by Blissfull Hall out of Arrogancy (by Safely Kept). Arrogancy had three trips to the races and was placed once but her half sister Bubbas A Fake was a smart open class mare who still holds the track record at Hobart for 2090 metres (1:58.3).
Pants Off Friday has impressed at the Carrick trials, highlighted by a win in smart time last Saturday morning.
Clyde Maguire is trained by Joe Buttigieg at Port Macdonnell, which is just on the South Australian side of the border with Victoria. Clyde Maguire has had nine starts in New Zealand for a win and a placing and his race form suggests he is a huge chance to record a victory at his Australian debut.
Clyde Maguire has raced at New Zealand’s two best tracks (Auckland and Christchurch) at his last four starts. He won a race at Auckland and has finished within 12 metres of the winner at two other starts.
The intriguing factor with Clyde Maguire is that he hasn’t raced for nine months. Betting fluctuations may well be the best guide.