In Brief
- Manilenya has been working up to another win.
- Last-start second in Hobart an eye-catcher.
- Tassie O'reilly set to break through for his first Tasmanian win.
Finding best bets on the nine-race card in Launceston on Good Friday won’t be easy but if Manilenya takes her recent form into the benchmark 66 handicap over 1600m she should emerge triumphant.
Manilenya hasn’t won since she got up in the last stride to take out a benchmark 74 handicap in Hobart in November last year, but her recent efforts suggest she is ready to win.
The Julie Richards-trained mare was racing in weight-for-age races and comes off a last-start second to Hela in a 1400-metre BM74 in Hobart last Sunday and while she was beaten over three lengths, the daughter of High Chaparral was well clear of the balance of the field.
She has a decent weight on Friday (60.5kg) but has drawn gate one and has the services of top hoop Brendon McCoull to counteract the impost.
Mywordis looms as the main danger based on his last-start second to Gregorian Chant in a BM66 over 1600m just over two weeks ago in Launceston.
The Drew Tyson-trained gelding will be ridden by Craig Newitt who makes his first visit to the state since Launceston Cup day.
Coronation Pia failed last start when tried over 2100m, but her 1600-metre form is excellent, having won over the trip in Launceston at her two previous outings.
Tassie O’reilly looks set to notch his first win in the state when he steps out in a maiden-class one over 2100m.
Tassie O’reilly turns up to the race with three minor placings beside his name, but his trainer Glen Stevenson believes the gelding is ready to strike.
“I stepped him up to 2100m last start and he was a game third in similar company to what he meets on Friday, but with that run under his belt and Froggy (Newitt) aboard he gets his chance to win,” Stevenson said.
“I can’t fault the horse’s work this week and if he stays out of trouble from the inside gate (2) then he should get the job done.
“He has been well ridden by our stable apprentice Codi Jordan each start this prep and she has done nothing wrong on him, but we always have to keep our options open in this game and that’s why Craig has been given the job on Friday.”
Watch Manilenya work home well to finish second to Hela in Hobart last Sunday.