Tasracing

One of Tasmania’s premier sprint races the Listed Newmarket Handicap is the feature event on the program in Launceston Wednesday night. A maximum number of 14 acceptors will line-up with the field including the last five winners of the race. It looks an open affair but will set the scene for a bumper Summer carnival.

It should be a good battle for the early lead. I’m Wesley, O’Lonh Star and Hellova Street have the inside three gates, and all generally race forward. Tshahitsi, Gee Gee Lanett and The Master Speed draw the opposite side of the track with Liffeybeau in the middle. It would be a surprise of this wasn’t a genuinely run affair.

1. Tshahitsi (14) – Assessed price $14.00.

The 8YO gelding was the winner of this race back in 2016 which was the last time he won over 1200m with each subsequent victory being over 1400m or 1600m. He is weighted to his best with 61.5kg and while he returned well over Spring, his 107 rating is more a result of races run two years ago. Quality campaigner but faces a big ask especially from the draw.

2. Hellova Street (3) – Assessed price $8.00.

Incredible to think a top two finish here will put the 9YO above $1.1 million in career prizemoney. He has won four times from six starts over the Launceston 1200m and was brought up to the mark by Scott Brunton with a recent trial. He won the Sky Stakes over 1200m earlier in the year defeating I’m Wesley with ease that day. Would have preferred a wider draw as he isn’t a push button horse if the outside horses cross early but there is no way you can write him off.

3. I’m Wesley (1) – Assessed price $9.00.

Glenn Stevenson’s 7YO lines up for his third consecutive win in this race having won in 2017 and 2018. He will carry 1.5kg less than he did when leading all the way to win last year. Thought the trial at Longford was only fair, but Stevenson seems happy with his progress and the build-up into the race. It’s been a while since we’ve seen the best of him, but he grows a leg in Launceston and I suspect Daniel Ganderton will have little choice but to be aggressive from that inside draw.

4. Lord Da Vinci (9) – Assessed price $12.00.

The Scott Brunton trained 9YO gelding lines up for his fourth straight Newmarket with a previous best finish of second in 2017. He hasn’t raced since a win over the distance on Launceston Cup day this year. You have to go all the way back to August 2017 to find the last time he carried anything like a minimum weight and it looks a plan to target this race first-up.

5. Twitchy Frank (5) – Assessed price $6.50.

Hasn’t finished outside the placings in five starts for Adam Trinder and has a win in the Listed Vamos Stakes to her credit in that time. The 5YO comes through the traditional lead-up of the Goodwood Handicap where she raced outside the leader and finished third. She drops 6kg from that run which puts her right in the mix with Anthony Darmanin to jump from a draw which gives him plenty of options.

6. Blaze Forth (4) – Assessed price $5.50.

John Blacker’s 7YO finished fourth in this race last year after racing three-wide without cover for the trip. He finished second in the Goodwood lugging 61kg and is another who gets significant weight relief under the conditions for the race. He has been a super campaigner for the stable, but a feature win has alluded him to date. This may be his best chance yet and the in-form Ismail Toker takes the ride having ridden doubles at the past two Tasmanian meetings.

7. Gee Gee Double Dee (11) – Assessed price $75.00.

Gee Gee Double Dee is another Newmarket regular, lining up for her third consecutive start in the race with a previous best of fifth in 2017. Genuine firm track horse who is generally a few lengths off the best in this grade. Hasn’t had any favours with the barrier draw and Scarlet So seems likely to ride for luck and hope those running on from the back get their chance.

8. Ruettiger (8) – Assessed price $25.00.

The 8YO has been a positive addition to the Brunton stable late in his racing career and finished on the heels of the placegetters in the Goodwood. Relative weights are against most of the field from that race with Blaze Forth and Twitchy Frank meeting them all better despite beating all bar Gee Gee Secondover home. He was scratched from a race last Wednesday, and if he ran into a place it would be no great surprise.

9. Gee Gee Secondover (6) – Assessed price $8.50.

The Team Wells trained 4YO put himself firmly into calculations for this race when winning the Goodwood storming home from back in the field. As mentioned though, weights are firmly against him from that race with Blaze Forth (7kg) and Twitch Frank (6kg) meeting him far better for a beaten margin of less than a length. He will be suited by what seems likely to be a hot tempo but it’s always difficult to win these types of races from well back in the field.

10. Gee Gee Lanett (13) – Assessed price $35.00.

The 5YO mare finished second in the race last year settling behind the leader and the trifecta there all settled on the rail in-running. She was caught wide from a poor draw in the Goodwood and unfortunately she will again face the task of overcoming a wide gate as Siggy Carr jumps from 13.

11. Liffeybeau (7) – Assessed price $50.00.

Liffeybeau comes into the race first-up and has finished in the quinella three times from five fresh runs. His best performances have come in easier races than this when allowed to dictate in front, particularly on his home track in Devonport. In poorly at the weights carrying 54kg given he is rated 14 points less than Twitchy Frank who is also on the minimum so a place looks the best hope.

12. O’Lonh Star (2) – Assessed price $100.00.

The 7YO hasn’t won since the Goodwood run in Hobart last year. Georgie Catania gets the ride and from gate two you would expect she will try and lead. Looks outclassed in this field and would need a significant rails bias to finish in the money.

13. Bosporus (12) – Assessed price $30.00.

The 5YO gelding won his first-up assignment defeating Toorak Affair who then came out and won next start. He is generally a better horse at 1400m and prefers to race off the speed these days so is one that may be strong late if the leaders are tiring. Not proven at this level but looks the ideal time to have a throw at the stumps.

14. The Master Speed (10) – Assessed price $65.00.

Honest campaigner who finished 0.1 lengths behind Gee Gee Secondover two starts ago in form that obviously ties in. Races best when he is able to lead though and that doesn’t seem likely in this field. The lowest rated horse in the field and he will be better suited back to benchmark level.

Matt Reid’s Newmarket Handicap market below: