Tasracing

Launceston held a nine-race card on Saturday, on the quick back-up after Devonport hosted seven races on Friday. It looked a tricky day on paper before the program, but several of the winners were well found and six of the nine winners paid less than $4.00. All nine races were won by senior jockeys, led by Brendon McCoull and Troy Baker who each had a double. Leon, Dean & Trent Wells followed up their treble on Friday with two winners, as did Peter Luttrell.

 Race 1 – 12:05PM Book your Xmas Function Benchmark 84 Hcp (1400 metres)

1. 4. Toorak Affair $3.20F
2. 5. The Master Speed $3.50
3. 6. Glass Warrior $13.00
4. 1. Amaword $14.00

Toorak Affair ($3.60 into $3.20) brought up back-to-back wins with a performance that was more convincing than the 0.3 length margin suggests. Anthony Darmanin found a good position behind the lead after being three-wide early, and she had the third fastest last 400m of the meeting to wear down The Master Speed who led the race. The 6YO mare is racing as well as ever and she will be ultra-competitive in anything she contests at 1400m or 1600m.

Toorak Affair wins a BM84 Hcp over 1400m in Launceston.

Punters nailed the first of the day with The Master Speed ($5.00 into $3.50) running second as the other well backed runner along with the winner. He was honest racing on-speed and has turned into a very consistent performer. Glass Warrior ($9.00 out to $13.00 ran on well in a nice return for further, while Amaword ($4.20 into $3.40) couldn’t sprint with the quinella in the home straight. Newhart ($4.00 out to $8.50) was a huge drifter and Devonport Cup aspirations may be tempered given he is eligible for much easier races.

To Follow: This looks the preparation that Toorak Affair will show her best.

Race 2 – 12:43PM Ladbrokes Benchmark 66 Hcp (1100 metres)

1. 6. Kwai $3.10
2. 8. Gee Gee Pengala $9.50
3. 2. My Biddy $4.80
4. 9. Remigny $15.00

Craig Newitt expertly overcame a wide draw on Kwai ($3.10) to wear down the pair that sat first and second in-running. Newitt was able to slot in midfield as the leaders ran them along, and the mare ran the third fastest last 600m of the meeting to get over the top late. Kwai can be ridden either forward or with a sit, but her best performances do seem to be when she’s ridden for cover and saved for a powerful finish.

Kwai (Craig Newitt) wins the second of the day in Launceston.

Gee Gee Pengala ($9.50) and My Biddy ($4.00 out to $4.80) boxed on well after leading the field. My Biddy carried a big weight being back in class but has a winless streak dating to October 2018. The trifecta put a gap on Remigny ($9.50 out to $15.00) who missed the start badly but had the fastest last 600m of the meeting and would’ve gone close to winning had she jumped with the field. Favourite Gee Gee Queen Bee ($4.40 into $2.70) was again ridden with a sit but was only one paced in the run to the line, finishing fifth.

To Follow: After winning first-up, Remigny has run well again and unfortunately ruined her chances at the start.

Race 3 – 1:18PM Elliott Eastoe Maiden (1200 metres)

1. 14. Sheorta $2.45F
2. 5. Upset $11.00
3. 3. Private Paul $11.00
4. 12. Perfect Words $31.00

Sheorta ($3.70 into $2.45) ensured favourite backers were off to a flyer, winning as the third favourite in as many races. She was well backed throughout the morning, which being first-up was a strong indicator that she would run well and that’s exactly what occurred. Brendon McCoull had a few anxious moments trying to get off heels in the home straight, but when he did, the 4YO mare had the fastest last 200m of the race to win quite softly on the line. The win was around half a length quicker than the following maiden.

Sheorta (Brendon McCoull) defeats first-starter Upset in a maiden on Saturday.

Upset ($7.50 out to $11.00) and Private Paul ($31.00 into $16.00) rounded out a trifecta that were all first-up. The race split into two groups and those towards the back of the field had no chance getting into the race. The likes of Dunmining ($11.00 into $9.50), Real Acclaim ($4.20 out to $5.00) and Lucky Roo ($5.00 out to $10.00) all settled towards the rear, losing touch and never looking likely at any stage.

To Follow: Bill Ryan spoke highly of Sheorta post-race and she may be one that can work through her grades quickly.

Race 4 – 1:53PM Rexel 3YO Maiden (1200 metres)

1. 13. Tiltherewarsyou $6.00
2. 1. Ascot Lad $5.00
3. 8. Get the Trip $2.45F
4. 7. Endured $12.00

Tiltherewarsyou ($5.50 out to $6.00) brought up her first win at start number four. She mapped for the right run from a good draw and it panned out that way with Ismail Toker forward of midfield with the leaders running along at a good clip. She was green on the home corner, inconveniencing Get the Trip, but from there she had pinched a winning break.

Ascot Lad ($4.20 out to $5.00) again was slow out of the gates and is his own worst enemy early in his career. His last 600m was by far the quickest of the race and he was taking considerable ground off the winner late. Get the Trip ($4.20 into $2.45) was heavily supported off the back of a big trial win and copped some interference off the winner which halted her momentum at a key stage. Endured ($4.80 out to $12.00) was unwanted in betting but ran home well and may now be looking for 1400m.

To Follow: Ascot Lad just needs to improve his barrier manners to win a race soon.

Race 5 – 2:28PM Cressy Chaff Cutters Longford Cup Jan 1st MDN/CL1 (1600 metres)

1. 12. Gee Gees Lovebeer $8.50
2. 11. Vamos Raffa $6.50
3. 10. Potamianos $11.00
4. 8. Red Fiore $6.00

Gee Gees Lovebeer ($9.00 into $8.50) rebounded from an ordinary run the prior start in Devonport to win after racing on-speed. Troy Baker was left in front a long way from home on the 3YO filly but luckily for him, the eventual second horse was strung up for long enough to enable Gee Gees Lovebeer to hang on. The overall time was a length quicker than the second division of this race and the filly looks a much better horse racing on the grass.

Vamos Raffa ($19.00 into $6.50) was smashed in betting for the second start running and was a difficult watch for those involved. After jumping well enough, Siggy Carr was shuffled all the way back to the point where she had the whole field in front of her turning for home. Riding for luck, Carr couldn’t get out until the race was over and the 3YO gelding wins the race in another few bounds. Only 0.6 lengths separated third through seventh in a busy finish behind the quinella. Race favourite Kombacy ($3.50 out to $4.60 back into $3.80) worked early from a wide gate and didn’t finish the race off as a result.

To Follow: Vamos Raffa won’t be opening $19.00 anytime soon in maiden grade.

Race 6 – 3:03PM CUB MDN/CL1 (1600 metres)

1. 6. GeeGees Rock Opera $7.50
2. 2. San You $91.00
3. 7. Le Monde De Lucas $14.00
4. 8. Need A Bella $5.50EF

GeeGees Rock Opera ($10.00 into $7.50) got an excellent ride from Daniel Ganderton to take out the first leg of the quaddie. In a race where the first four across the line all came from the back half of the field, luck in-running was key and Ganderton pulled the right moves, saving ground near the rail before moving to the outside for his run in the home straight. The 4YO mare hadn’t finished worse than fourth in a campaign spanning ten runs and she put the writing on the wall for this performance with a slashing second last start.

San You ($26.00 out to $91.00) is generally better at 1400m but arguably put in a career best effort to add a stack of value to exotics by finishing second. Le Monde De Lucas (21.00 into $14.00) made an early move to get into the race for third, while Need A Bella ($7.50 into $5.50) didn’t have the tactical speed she did when winning last start, settling second last and her last 600m was the fastest of the race. Square Donut ($6.50 into $5.50) jumped much better putting himself right in the race from the inside gate, but it mattered little as Craig Newitt couldn’t get a run in the home straight and he went to the line untested.

To Follow: Square Donut has been a “follow” after all three starts and has had nothing but bad luck in his short racing career.

Race 7 – 3:43PM Tas Fumigation & Pest Services Benchmark 74 Hcp (1200 metres)

1. 4. Gee Gee True Story $3.60F
2. 9. Silzoar $11.00
3. 8. Thewordsout $14.00
4. 3. Westerly Haze $5.00

The Gee Gee’s made it three wins in a row when Gee Gee True Story ($3.80 into $3.60) followed the wins of Lovebeer and Rock Opera. Unlike the previous start when he was carved up on-speed, the 4YO gelding landed in the perfect spot with Brendon McCoull aboard and he was poised to strike on the home corner. The winning time was only half a length quicker than that of Sheorta in maiden grade, but having won four of seven, Gee Gee True Story is clearly a horse with plenty of ability.

Thewordsout ($12.00 out to $14.00) and Silzoar ($6.50 out to $11.00) had the first and second fastest last 400m times of the program to round out the trifecta. It was a bunched finish with only 3.4 lengths separating first and last, with the last horse across the line being Balestrand ($9.00 out to $14.00) who defeated Gee Gee True Story the previous start. Artie Dee Two ($6.00 into $5.50) was slowly away but did enough to suggest he will be a good addition for the Adam Trinder stable.

To Follow: It wasn’t a bad Tasmanian debut from Artie Dee Two, particularly carrying 60kg.

Race 8 – 4:23PM Kevin Sharkie Class 1 Hcp (1400 metres)

1. 1. Perfect Award $3.60F
2. 2. Argyle Beach $6.00
3. 11. Audrey $13.00
4. 5. Gee Gees Darl $6.00

Perfect Award ($6.00 into $3.60) landed some good bets in the second last race of the day. The 4YO gelding raced away to win by three lengths on the line after settling just worse than midfield. He was an unlucky fourth at his first Tasmanian run and had four weeks since then, but the betting was a giveaway that connections expected a forward showing and that’s certainly what they got. Peter Luttrell’s horses are racing particularly well at the moment and Perfect Award looks one that he will have some fun with.

Argyle Beach ($3.80 out to $6.00) went the opposite way in betting from the winner but was solid albeit clearly no match for Perfect Award. He settled third and was a bit dour when heat came into the race. Less than half a length split second and fourth with Audrey ($10.00 out to $13.00) and Gee Gees Darl ($4.40 out to $6.00) backing up good runs the start prior. Speed Angel ($6.50 out to $8.00) was first-up at 1400m and made a nice return, with the 3YO filly potentially eyeing off staying features for her age group.

To Follow: Perfect Award was in a different class on the day.

Race 9 – 5:03PM Steve’s Liquor Class 3 Hcp (1600 Metres)

1. Jeremiah $3.20
2. Paion $2.80F
3. Coronation Glade $18.00
4. Magic Waler $8.00

Jeremiah ($3.20) made a mess of a solid looking class 3 field, becoming the dominant winner of the program with a 3.5 length

Jeremiah (Troy Baker) on his way to an effortless win in a bm66 over 1600m in Launceston.

victory. A relation to former Launceston Cup winner Genuine Lad, the 4YO gelding has always looked a horse that will be better over more ground and he relished getting out to a mile here. His last 400m was easily the fastest of the race and it will be

interesting to see whether he makes it to the Hobart or Launceston Cups this year, or whether that’s a target for another preparation.

Paion ($3.40 into $2.80) had plenty of support to say he could knock off the early favourite Jeremiah, and while he ran well, he bumped into a smart one. The excata was a repeat of the start prior. That pair looked far superior to anything else in the race with Stormont ($4.60) unable to go on with his victory at the previous start.

To Follow: Jeremiah looks ready to go on to better races after this performance.

Top 10 last 200m times from Stridemaster

Top 10 last 400m times from Stridemaster

Top 10 last 600m times from Stridemaster