Launceston 13th December 2015
We head back to Launceston for a huge 11 event card. The City of Launceston Cup is the feature of the night and brings together a quality field. This will be a big guide to Tasmania’s feature race the Tasmania Cup. Phil Mascall captured a double last week at Carrick with his stable siblings the smart Origin Cronk and his older half brother Origin Billy. Ricky Duggan got a treble which included the two winners trained by Phil. Nathan Ford continued his great start to the season with a double at Hobart on Sunday night which included the very impressive win of Highview Christina.
RACE 1 : 4:52 MERRY CHRISTMAS STAKES 2200M
This is a 2200m stand to kick off the night. REMEMBER JOE (3) has been racing very well of late. He will be hoping to ping to the lead and if does will take plenty of running down as this looks easier than past couple of runs. TRULY BLISSFULL (2) is the emergency for the Cup later in the night. He is well suited here if gets a run as battled away strongly last week. He can ping the tapes and if finds the top he will be hard to run down. VENDE VELDE (7) is having his third run back so should be ready to produce best so keep safe. TISU TOOTA (1) has been racing well in the claimer’s and does begin well so will be handy throughout so is a must include. BRAVO CHARLIE (4) was good last week so if he brings that form here can run a race at odds. DODGERMEMATE (8) if he was to step safely can run a race at odds.
TOP PICK : REMEMBER JOE (3) is the hardest to beat.
RACE 2 : 5:32pm IMA BEAUT STAKES 2200M
Here we see the smart mare LICINIA (2) going around. She draws to spear to the lead and dictate the race so is clearly the one they have to beat. MAJOR CALLUM (5) is a tough customer who will go forward early but will more than likely have to sit parked but is still a danger. PALMISANO (7) is always thereabouts in these races so is a must include for the exotics as is BERTILS DELIGHT (3) with the right run. POKER STORM (8) is a handy sit sprinter resuming. He will end up three pegs so if the gaps open up will finish strongly. REGAL IDEA (6) and COMEON HOWZAT (9) are next best.
TOP PICK : LICINIA (2) is the one to beat.
RACE 3 : 6:00pm NORTHERN TASMANIAN LIGHT HARNESS ASSOCIATION CUP 2698M
This will be a great race. ANCIENT MOONLIGHT (5) resumed with a good win after doing a bit of work in the run. He steps up to the 2700m trip here but with a good beginning he will take plenty of holding out. GEORGEFROMGUAM (13) was huge in defeat in that same race last week. He was slow to begin then got checked and still had the tenacity to keep coming four wide for a very brave fourth. With a bit more luck here he is a major player. HAPPY SCHNAPPS (3) has been in a purple patch of form in recent weeks. He draws to ping to the lead and is sure to run along so is a danger. LE PREMIERE (15) was very brave winning the other heat when mate a long run to win on the line. He will some luck in the run in this capacity field but if it does come his way can win at odds. THE BIG PARADE (9) is another racing well from the inform stable so keep safe. CASCADE FLYER (6) , WILLBE DOC (8) and PUSHKIN (14) are next best.
TOP PICK : ANCIENT MOONLIGHT (5) is the hardest to beat in a tough race.
RACE 4 : 6:33pm DECRON HORSE CARE PACE DIVISION ONE 2200M
This is a very tough C1. OLIVERS MATE (1) is in career best form and draws ideally to continue on his winning way. He will be hoping to hold up early and if does is clearly the one top run down. CHRISTIAN JAZ (12) is the first of the Brent Lilley runners. He has been racing well at the country tracks so won’t find this easy but has to be kept very safe. LACONIC JAMANE (3) is a talented but very lightly raced type. He resumes and draws well so may have a look early and if found the top will give a good sight. BLACK SADDLE (4) hasn’t had the best of luck in two local runs. He will be hoping to slot in early so if the brakes come his way can win. UNION FORCE (10) has been going ok so can be dangerous with the right trip. VINNIE TORETTO (13) you will have your heart in your mouth early about him going away with them but if he does will run a race at huge odds. STINGOFASCORPION (5) , DO IT FOR DAVE (6) , WHO IS HARDEEN (8) , WEALTHY WARRIOR (9) and ANOTHERMETRO (11) are all capable of sneaking a place at odds.
TOP PICK : OLIVERS MATE (1) is the hardest to beat.
RACE 5 : 6:57pm CITY OF LAUNCESTON CUP 2698M
This is the main race of the night and will be a cracker at that. LETS ELOPE (11) is a Victorian raider who was an emergency for the recent Interdominion series. He has been racing very well in metro class in Victoria of late in strong company. He is capable of doing plenty of work in the run so I’m sure his driver Josh Duggan will put him into the race so will take plenty of holding out. EL JAYS MAGIC (9) is a very classy mare and can run some very slick times. She goes out to the 2700m for the first time which is a slight query but her brilliance may get her over the line. STAR CHAMBER (12) is the star performer of last season who is on track to go back to back in the Tasmania Cup next week. He will be looking to get a cart into the race and will be very dangerous. BARYNYA (13) is another super star mare who resumes here from a poor draw. She will more than likely need the run as she tunes up for the Mares race next week but can’t be left out as class goes a long way. THE MAJORITY (3) was very impressive winning last start after sitting parked. He draws to advantage so if finds the top early has options so can surprise at good odds. RIVERBOAT JASPER (1) , OUTBACK MACH (5) , SOMETHING EYRE (7) , SPITFIRE ROSE (8) and ALL I CAN BE (10) are next best in a great race.
TOP PICK : LETS ELOPE (11) is the hardest to beat in a great race.
RACE 6 : 7:37 BARRY FREEMAN MEMORIAL 2200M
This is the final of the Barry Freeman Memorial in where heats were run at Carrick last week. DEVIL OF TYNE (3) was a very impressive heat winner leading throughout. He has drawn to find the top again so is sure to take running down. KOUPER BAILEY (4) resumed with a good win after doing a bit of work in the run. He will have to sit parked again but can win. FREELANDER (2) draws to advantage here so can be dangerous if gets a crack at them. PAGEANTRY (10) resumed with a solid placing after coming wide. He draws to get a good run through here so has to be kept safe. NEVER UNACHIEVABLE (7) was making his debut when a game third. He draws wide here so will need the right trip but wouldn’t shock. RIVERLEGIRL (5) is getting close to a win so with the right run can figure. KARALTA DELUX (1) emergency , COCCINELLA (8) , ART OF MY ART (11) and MARAVILLOSO (13) are all capable of running into a place at odds.
TOP PICK : KOUPER BAILEY (4) is the hardest to beat.
RACE 7 : 8:05pm TOPNOTCH DAN PACE 2200M
This is a very tough CO only. ONE MANS PASS (8) has always promised to be a nice horse. He resumes from inside the back row but if he gets the right trip he will hard to beat. BAROOGA BUSTER (5) resumed with a solid effort and will strip fitter here so has to be kept very safe. YOUNG BRUISER (4) should be ready to produce best after two runs back from a break so if he finds the pegs first will take running down. CEMENTO RAPIDO (6) is racing very well and a win is not far away. He draws a little tricky but if can slot in will be a player. BUSTED (1) draws to improve sharply here so keep safe as stable is going well. PARWILL (3) , BUMBLE DON (9) and MAJORAMA (10) are capable of sneaking some minor money.
TOP PICK : BAROOGA BUSTER (5) is a good gamble.
RACE 8 : 8:42pm UBET RACING CENTRE PACE 1680M
This is a very tough C4/C5 over the mile. PUNT ROAD DISCO (2) has been racing very well and draws to advantage. He will settle handy and with a bit speed up front will be the one to hold out. SKY TOWER (1) is an old marvel who draws to lead and grows a leg in front so is sure to take plenty of running down. CISKEI (6) will find this easier than recent runs and is sure to push forward to get into the race so keep safe. MY GREEK MATE (7) pay to forgive his last run when missed away. He will be looking to get a cart into the race so if does will be very dangerous. MAYBE DOC (8) is a veteran who resumes here from a good draw so can fill a place at odds. LUCKY DAVE (5) goes better when able to lead so place looks best here. OUR ARCHANGEL (4) , WESTERN KARAMEA (9) and DELIVERTHEGOODS (10) are next best.
TOP PICK : PUNT ROAD DISCO (2) is the hardest to beat.
RACE 9 : 9:10pm 6TY STAKES DIVISION TWO 2200M
This is another very tough affair for the C1 pacers. REBEL DIAMOND (12) is the huge query as this is the third of the Brent Lilley runners. She did win the consolation of the two year APG sales as a youngster. She has been mixing her form of late but this is a strong race so is the hardest to beat despite the draw. RAMPLING (10) was impressive winning here two runs back. He draws the second row so will look to push forward at some stage so will take holding out. FUSCIENNE (5) is having her third run back so should be ready to produce something. She draws to push forward early so has a sneaky chance of finding the top which would enhance her chances. ME MATE LES (6) is always thereabouts in his races so with the right trip can be dangerous. BUTCH AND CLYDE (9) if you can forgive his latest run he has a chance at odds here. BUCKINGHAM BOY (1) and RAINBOW PHEONIX (11) are next best.
TOP PICK : REBEL DIAMOND (12) looks the hardest to beat.
RACE 10 : 9:39pm JAY BARDON STAKES 2200M
This is a pretty handy three year old affair. SOHO SHANGHAI (8) resumed with a very good win after doing a bit of work. He will settle at the rear of the field then look to push forward to the breeze so will the hardest to beat. KEN TWO STARS (4) is a very handy type. He resumed last week when was working into the race and galloped. He is better suited here so keep very safe. SULTAN FELLA (3) disappointed when resuming. He draws well here so if can find the top will give them something to chase. ALL STAR SAMMY (1) was spotted hitting the line well when resuming so from the good draw has a sneaky hope.
TOP PICK : SOHO SHANGHAI (8) is the hardest to beat.
RACE 11 : 10:00pm BIG TIME FELLA STAKES 2200M
This is the last of a big night. We see the return of last season two year old filly of the year in CHICA BELLA (5). She was been trialing well for her return and has showed she can do it tough in her races so is clearly the one to beat. KARALTA STARDUST (4) draws inside her major rival and was a very good winner last start. She may push forward to keep an advantage over the favourite and can cause a minor upset. GUESSTAMATE (2) did show a bit of ability early last season. She resumes here from the good draw so can improve. THE SYASTEM BLACK (8) is next best.
TOP PICK : CHICA BELLA (5) is the one to beat.