ONE OF Tasmania’s most underrated chasers Star Chamber gets the chance to be in contention to represent the state at the National Sprint Championships at Wentworth Park later this month when he tackles a state heat at the UBET Racing Centre in Launceston tonight.
Star Chamber will line up in the first of four heats and while he has drawn poorly in box eight the field is limited to six that should allow him room to find a position early in the race.
Knox And Rattles has drawn ideally in box one and while he has won only twice from 11 tries on the track he has enough early speed to make the most of the draw.
Warehouse Mouse (box 4) has not started for just over a month but he usually runs well fresh and Wee Fire from the in-form Amanda Grice kennel is more than capable on his night.
Breaker’s Tip should make his way to the final by winning heat two from box one.
He is a keen railer and won from this box two starts back defeating Lorus Time in a division one heat of the J G nelson Cup series.
Hello Ay Jay looms as his main danger from box two.
Next Matador has struck a purple patch of form with wins at his past three starts so this Rod Ransley-trained dog must rate highly in heat three (race 7), however he comes up against the in-form Retail Chart from the Ted Medhurst kennel.
Retail Chart has been impressive in winning at his past two outings in grades four and five company but this is his toughest test this campaign.
Nelson Cup division one winner Lorus Time is likely to start favourite in the fourth and final heat (race 8) from box three and if he can cross Little Turn (2) and Elite Enfield (1) before reaching the first turn he will be very hard to run down.
There were no state heats of the National Distance Championship but the club programmed a best eight distance event over 720 metres to accommodate the seven acceptors that are likely to make up the field in next week’s state final.
The Ted Medhurst-trained Lillycette and kennel mate Mandy Charm are likely to battler out favouritism with winning chances also given to Frosty’s Capable (8), and Miss Somebody (6).
Robert Fahey’s tips and Racebook for Launceston meeting tonight.
By Peter Staples.