Launceston hosted eight races on Wednesday night, with windy conditions favouring horses racing with cover on the inside of the track. Punters generally founds things difficult as only one favourite won on the night and that horse Cambalache opened a massive $18. Bulent Muhcu had a night out riding three winners, while Craig Newitt had a double.
Race 1 – 17:39 Sue Rees Maiden (1400 metres)
- #6 Our Little Ted $7.00
- #12 Luvahussy $31.00
- #4 Worthy Opponent $11.00
- #1 It’s La Premiere $3.70F
Overview: Luvahussy went to a clear lead from Extend the Dream with Our Little Ted and Worthy Opponent the next pair. Those racing on the pace dominated the race and the trifecta put a big margin on the fourth horse. The overall time was just over a length slower than the following maiden.
Our Little Ted wins race 1 in Launceston
The Winner: 3YO gelding Our Little Ted won at his second career start after receiving solid support to do so. From gate two, Ismail Toker landed behind the leader on the inside which was the place to be on the evening with a solid breeze blowing across the track. The leader gave a solid kick, but Our Little Ted had the drop on her and went on to score by 0.4 lengths on the line. Trainer Cameron Thompson mentioned after the race that the 3YO staying features may be a target if the horse keeps improving through the campaign.
The Rest: Luvahussy defied her big starting price to run a gallant race leading throughout. As was the case with a lot of leaders on the night, the last 100m was a struggle with a headwind blowing into horses up the straight. This was clearly a career best performance from the 5YO and if she holds this form, can break her maiden status this time in. Worthy Opponent landed in the 1-1 position and worked into third finishing 1.5 lengths behind the second horse but 3.5 lengths in front of easing favourite It’s La Premiere in fourth. He settled midfield but had little chance with the way the race played out, while the same can be said for Vamos Raffa who was smashed in betting late and couldn’t feature despite finishing with the fastest last 200m of the race.
To Follow: Luvahussy will start much shorter next time and can win if this performance becomes the norm.
Race 2 – 18:15 Boys Get Paid Maiden (1400 metres)
- #14 Cambalache $4.60F
- #9 Kel’s Star $8.00
- #1 Le Monde De Lucas $10.00
- #7 Olympic Honour $5.00
Overview: It was a line of four vying for the early lead with Pira Noona holding the rail from Gee Gee Manpower, Olympic Honour and Lucky Roo who was posted wide facing the breeze which put an end to his chances. The tempo slackened mid-race which suited those building momentum before the turn and enabled the winner to come from well off the pace.
The Winner: 3YO filly Cambalache put in clearly her best Tasmanian performance, sweeping down the outside to land a big plunge for the John Luttrell stable. As much as $18 was bet about the filly who amazingly started favourite as the money continued to pour in through the day. Anthony Darmanin settled the filly back in the field before weaving a path through the field on the home turn to get to the outside in the home straight. In a tight four-way finish, Darmanin had timed his run to perfection and the filly got the prize. Her first three runs in the state have been over much shorter than 1400m, and it would seem that she’s a horse who needed the extra distance and may continue to look for further with the way she finished off here.
The Rest: Both Kel’s Star and Le Monde De Lucas enjoyed the right runs with the pattern for the evening. They had cover from inside draws and were saved for a sprint in the straight, but neither could hold off Cambalache down the outside. The Tegan Keys trained pair were both first-up here and have a solid base to work off for the rest of the campaign. Olympic Honour was another Scott Brunton trained horse following Vamos Raffa in the first, to be a significant betting firmer in what would become a theme for the evening. Unfortunately for those who took as much as $20, he hit the front a bit too soon in the straight and was a sitting shot for the swoopers late. Early race favourite Lucky Roo weakened out to finish a long last after enduring a tough run from a wide draw.
To Follow: Olympic Honour was clearly the best of those who raced near the lead.
Race 3 – 18:55 Steve’s Liquor Maiden/Class 1 (1600 metres)
- #11 Need A Bella $15.00
- #12 Gee Gees Lovebeer $21.00
- #7 Rhode Away $20.00
- #4 Jophiel $11.00
Overview: Gee Gees Lovebeer crossed from a wide barrier to lead from Miss Bossey Belle and Jophiel with those three putting a gap on the rest early. The pace eased off mid-race and the quinella dashed off the front on the home turn. This was the quickest of the three 1600m races by about a length.
Need A Bella takes out race 3 in Launceston with Bulent Muhcu aboard.
The Winner: Need A Bella was the longest priced winner for the night but arguably the most impressive. The 4YO mare had been slowly away at her last few starts but Bulent Muhcu was keen to be more positive and he worked into the front half of the field early on in the race, however he was never better than three-wide. Despite racing without cover, Need A Bella hit a clear lead early in the home straight and had plenty in reserve to hold off Gee Gees Lovebeer who showed some fight after leading. With conditions on the night favouring horses ridden with cover, the effort for Need A Bella to face the breeze throughout was huge and she remains eligible for the same grade race next time out.
The Rest: Gee Gees Lovebeer had to do some work early to cross, so her effort to fight back after being headed in the home straight had plenty of merit. After three runs this time in she should be at peak fitness and looks ready to go one better soon. Rhode Away had the fastest last 400m of the race to work into third ahead of Jophiel who was fourth throughout. The first four to cross the line were all double figures prices, and the fancied pair Sky Fox and Secret Gold were plain after racing further back than they usually do.
To Follow: Need A Bella put in a career best effort and may get out to 2100m this campaign.
Race 4 – 19:30 Jack Blake Class 1 Handicap (1200 metres)
- #10 Tennessee Sky $7.50
- #3 Hezalite $31.00
- #8 Gympins $2.70F
- #1 Perfect Award $8.50
Overview: Gympins led from Hezalite with Tennessee Sky and Audrey the next pair with the latter flushed three-wide. Back-markers didn’t make any impact, although there was less than three lengths between the first eight across the line.
Tennessee Sky (C.Newitt) narrowly edges out Hezalite (T.Baker) in race 4.
The Winner: Tennessee Sky was another well backed winner, firming from a double figure price with Craig Newitt in the saddle. Landing in the coveted position behind the leader, the 5YO mare always looked to be travelling sweetly with the only question being whether Newitt would get a run at the right time. That occurred at the top of the straight, and the mare sprinted with the third fastest last 400m of the meeting to grab Hezalite over the final stages. Most of Tennessee Sky’s best races have been run when leading, and while she landed near the pace here, she sprinted quickly and can stack up to lower level benchmark races off this effort.
The Rest: Hezalite put in his best effort this preparation, improving significantly with the visor on after racing outside the leader. He was only grabbed late and hopefully this was a return to a more consistent racehorse. Gympins was solidly backed to start a clear favourite and held third racing on the fence throughout. Perfect Award was making his first appearance in the state and looks a good addition for Peter Luttrell. He over-raced and had some trouble getting clear in the home straight but ran on strongly for fourth. This race produced some of the better closing sectionals for the night and the likes of Holy Diamond and Gee Gees Darl had excuses drawing off the track.
To Follow: Perfect Award looks an addition to the Tassie racing ranks that can make his presence felt reasonably quickly.
Race 5 – 20:10 Margot Smart benchmark 66 Handicap (1400 metres)
- #8 Heaven’s Delight $10.00
- #1 Magic Waler $8.50
- #3 Alfred Street $6.50
- #2 Luca Bratzi $2.00F
Overview: Magic Waler and Shenanigator pushed forward from wide draws, joining Alfred Street who led on the rail. The tempo was only fair, and it was another race that suited those racing in the front half of the field. The overall time was a couple of lengths quicker than the win of Cambalache.
The Winner: Heaven’s Delight was easy in betting with one-way traffic for the favourite but scored a soft win for Bulent Muhcu who brought up his second of the night. The 5YO mare settled better than midfield on the rail, and like earlier winners Our Little Ted and Tennessee Sky, followed the leader until the gaps opened in the home straight. Muhcu had a couple of dificult moments getting the mare clear but when he did she had the fastest last 200m of the race to grab Magic Waler who had raced outside the leader. Heaven’s Delight has been good at all three runs this time in and is undoubtedly in a rich vein of form.
Heaven’s Delight wins race 5 in Launceston.
The Rest: Rose Pearson crossed easily aboard Magic Waler from a wide gate and looked a good winning chance for most of the race despite a big betting drift. Pearson lost use of her near side rein rounding the home corner which impacted her ability to pinch a break upon straightening. Alfred Street led the field getting a soft time in front but may have taken it a little too easy enabling those to get into the race from behind. He was first-up though and will strip fitter for the run. Luca Bratzi was heavily supported to start an even money favourite, and Craig Newitt adopted similar tactics to the first-up win. Against better competition he could only work into fourth and his late sectionals were bettered by a few others in the race including Sh’Bourne Star who ran into fifth from last and is doing enough if the race shape plays out in her favour.
To Follow: It was a solid return from Alfred Street who is generally suited with his racing pattern around Launceston.
Race 6 – 20:45 Kevin Pearce Benchmark 74 Handicap (1100 metres)
- #8 Balestrand $13.00
- #5 Westerly Haze $7.00
- #3 Underplay $11.00
- #6 Gee Gee True Story $2.35F
Overview: It seemed four horses all had a clear plan to try and lead with Gee Gee True Story, My Biddy, Tough Missile and Apriano creating a line of four that was never going to do anything other than set the race up for those behind. That quartet were the last four horses across the line, and the other three fought out a thrilling finish.
The Winner: 7YO gelding Balestrand ensured a healthy quaddie dividend bringing up his first win since January this year. Troy Baker camped behind the group challenging each other for the lead, saving ground compared to the other two horses who raced off the pace. Challenged over the last 100m by Westerly Haze who loomed outside and Underplay who charged from behind, Balestrand had his head out at the right time to narrowly win the tight photo. The race played out in his favour, but connections certainly won’t be giving it back, and may have taken some of a big price as the horse trimmed up in betting through the day.
The Rest: Underplay and Westerly Haze had the two fastest last 600m splits of the program to round out the trifecta. Westerly Haze had to make a run wider on the track, while Underplay gave the other two a start after settling last. Race favourite Gee Gee True Story had his chances ruined by the pressure outside him, and like the others who raced on-pace would have been reviewing the tactics employed post-race.
To Follow: Best to put a line through the runs of the four that fought for the lead, while Underplay had the best closing sectionals of the rest and is ready for further.
Race 7 – 21:25 Neil Herbert Benchmark 66 Handicap (1600 metres)
- #5 Stormont $5.50
- #2 Ocean Essence $2.15F
- #4 Coronation Glade $20.00
- #6 Our Declaration $5.00
Overview: In a bunched field Lord Smedley went to the front and had company from Ocean Essence who raced to his outside. The winner ran home with the fastest last 400m and 200m of the meeting, yet the overall time was slower than the maiden/Class 1 which reflects on the slow early pace of this race.
Stormont gives Bulent Muhcu his third winner of the night in race 7.
The Winner: 6YO gelding Stormont turned the tables on Ocean Essence from last start to record his second career win. Having sported a big start when running into second last time, the key difference here was Bulent Muhcu settling much closer behind the leader which meant the strong finish of the horse was enough to get over the top. After a pair of runs over the mile, Stormont looks ready to attempt the longer distances if a suitable race can be found.
The Rest: Ocean Essence was a beaten favourite, but still ran a good race with 60kg on his back. After racing outside the leader, he was left in front a long way from home and the quinella pulled well away from the rest. Coronation Glade was flushed out three-wide with the muddling early tempo and his effort to finish third showed that he can be competitive in the higher grade. Early leader Lord Smedley dropped out to finish last and doesn’t look the same horse who won so impressively at this track earlier in the year.
To Follow: Stormont showed an impressive turn of foot late.
Race 8 – 22:00 Barry Larter Benchmark 74 Handicap (1600 metres)
- #2 Triple Strip $3.30
- #1 Shady Hustle $2.35F
- #5 Cunning Fox $10.00
- #3 Gee Gee Fiorente $5.50
Overview: Gee Gee Fiorente drove out to a clear lead with Triple Strip and Axion leading the chasers. The race turned into a sprint home with just 1.4 lengths separating five of the six horses as they crossed the line.
Triple Strip wins the final race of the program in Launceston.
The Winner: Triple Strip became the fifth winner of the night to land behind the leader in-running and brought up a double for Craig Newitt. Like the previous winner, the ability for Triple Strip to land in the front half of the field was key, having settled a long way off the pace last start. The 4YO mare was easy in betting but was the only horse you wanted to be on throughout, and she brought up her sixth win from just 12 career starts. Trainer John Blacker may now look at races like the Longford or Devonport Cup for her in the coming months.
The Rest: Shady Hustle for the second start running settled further back than we’re accustomed to seeing before working into second in what was a popular quinella. She’s come back well after a Victorian campaign where things didn’t go to plan, but whether she can get back to settling in the first couple may determine how quickly she wins again. Cunning Fox ran home with the fastest last 600m of the race and fifth fastest of the night and is right on track for the Longford Cup which John Blacker has picked out as a target. Gee Gee Fiorente faded after leading to run fourth but is working to peak fitness, finishing just ahead of the stayer Wineglass Bay who did well to finish as close as he did as a horse who is better over further.
To Follow: Cunning Fox was an excellent run as he works towards his preferred distance.