Racing returns to Launceston following last week’s opening meeting of the night racing season. The rail goes out a further 3m to 9m from the 1200m to the winning post, and 5m for the remainder. Again fine weather is forecast in the lead up to the meeting so we should see a firm track and true racing. Don’t miss the track gallop from local Cox Plate hope The Cleaner between races 2 and 3!
Race 1 6:20pm Walk the Boardwalk @ Launceston Seaport Maiden/Class 1 Plate (1620m)
A big field to kick off the night and with a number of on pacers engaged we should see a strong tempo. Expect D’ampezzo to take up the running with a number of these trying to find a position behind him. A race with a lot of depth but a clear top pick.
Geegees Gran Lodge was an impressive winner of a maiden last time and is sure to have admirers here. He overcame a bad check in running to win convincingly and the rise to a mile looks a positive. The draw may appear tricky but expect Siggy Carr to go forward and there is a good run to the first turn for her to find a position. This is much harder than the field he beat but he’s a promising colt on the up and the one to beat.
Polizei has run exceptionally well at all three runs in the state without getting any major reward and will find this easier than his strong 2nd in a good BM62 race last time. The main concern is he has again drawn wide, which brought him undone at his first two starts this prep. If he can overcome the gate he will just about win this, but there is a real possibility he gets caught 3 wide which will make it hard.
Angie Sparkles finished off hard at her first run in Tasmania and is much better suited at the mile in this. She will also find this much harder but Darmanin stays with her and she should get a strong tempo to suit. Looks a winning chance at longer odds.
D’ampezzo was forced to do a lot of work last time when trying to find the lead at his first try at a mile and did a pretty good job to finish as close as he did. This is a bit harder and he is yet to totally prove himself at this distance but he draws inside this time and should find the lead with a lot more ease than last time. Should give a sight and can win if the pressure doesn’t go on too early.
All Wrapped Up appreciated a strong tempo last time when finishing hard at this distance range. He looks like getting a similar tempo here and Kyle Maskiell takes the ride. Does race well at this track and if the pressure goes on up front he is another who will be finishing strongly.
Able Ken has taken a few runs to come to hand this prep but he ran a reasonable race last time in tougher grade. On trial at the trip but draws for a decent run and gets the services of talented Victorian rider Noel Callow. From canny stable and no surprise to see him improve again to be in the finish in this.
Next best in a wide race look to be Pinjewel (beat many of these last time at Devonport and draws well again), Dangerous Aura (much better suited drawn 1 and can improve), Frogmoor Louie (ran well last time, might find wide barrier hard to overcome) and Aussie Alice (better last time, placed this track and will appreciate strong tempo).
Verdict: Geegees Gran Lodge looks to be a colt going places and can continue on his way towards his long range goal of the Tasmanian Derby. Polizei can test him if he can find cover in the run, while Angie Sparkles may show up for those looking for one at a price.
Recommended Bet: Geegees Gran Lodge to win.
Race 2 6:55pm Cube Seaport Maiden Plate (1220m)
Just a standard tempo looks likely here but expect all the speed to come from out wide with Charge Your Glass and Helera looking to work across. Looks a weaker standard of maiden with not a lot of depth despite the capacity field.
Rock Away ran well at her only two starts late last year against some reasonable horses, especially in her first outing. No trial but looks a type who will get over ground so this distance first up will probably suit. Well drawn but usually gets back so will need some luck working through the field. Can win if ready to go so watch the market.
Lyndspur has had 4 trials, with two this prep to ready her for this. Gate 1 looks a lovely draw and while she hasn’t shown great early speed in her trials it would be no surprise to see her work into a good position behind the leaders. Not a hard race to win and she looks to have ability so easy to follow a positive market move.
Poacher’s Son ran well first up behind a very smart galloper. Brendon McCoull clearly thought enough of the run to take the ride here and he can find a good position just behind the speed. Was big odds at both runs but sure to be fancied much more here and is an obvious winning chance.
Helera resumes with a good trial win under her belt and performs well at this track and distance. Gate looks awkward initially but likely to get good cart across with Charge Your Glass. In light with the claim for leading apprentice Raquel Clark and she looks pretty well placed here. Very good chance.
Charge Your Glass is the likely leader and had a trial to bring him on fitness wise after a fair effort first up. Prefer to see him show a bit more before seeing him as a genuine winning hope but no surprise to see good improvement here.
Next best appears to be Songs ‘n’ Stories (ok first up and will appreciate longer trip) and Lemon Grove (needs to improve but Darmanin goes on and tricky stable).
Verdict: Rock Away can win if ready but will need luck. Lyndspur strikes a winnable race for her debut and vital to watch the market with her. Helera and Charge Your Glass get their chance with a decent run near the lead.
Recommended Bet: Try Helera each way.
Race 3 7:30pm Seaport Restaurants Class 1 (1220m)
Should be a decent tempo here with Black Hills looking to work across but runners like Geegees Double Jo and Alilad are capable of kicking up. Incum Coming is capable of firing up from out wider. Pretty good Class 1 with some smart horses engaged.
Jerilderie Letter went super on debut when storming down the outside to win impressively over 1000m at Devonport. Step up in trip appears very suitable considering stable is looking to target the Tasmanian Guineas. Drawn perfectly to stalk the leaders and while this is harder, he looks a horse going places and more than capable in the harder grade.
Black Hills stuck on well behind Meteor Strike last time and may be better suited here if allowed to run along a bit quicker early. Failed on debut at this track but that was on wet ground and he didn’t find form until his 3rd run. Reckon Kyle Maskiell will have learnt a lot from his first ride on him last time and can give a big sight from the front in this.
Geegees Double Jo had a good 2yo season, highlighted by a big win at this track, but consistently proved she was just below the top liners. Gets in light here and gate 1 should give her every chance against a couple of smart gallopers. Has some winning chance but does appeal as having strong place claims from the draw.
Nice Knickers has shown promise in her limited career thus far but has only raced on soft ground so a firm track is an unknown here. This is harder than the maiden fields she has competed in and the outside draw makes her task a lot harder. Ideally she needs pressure up front and cover in the run which would give her a good hope, but if things don’t go her way in the run she might find this a bit hard and place claims are best.
Alilad has only raced on the Tapeta in his five runs in the state and with a good barrier and good claim for Raquel Clark it would be no surprise to see him improve here. Has run some handy races in tougher grade so looks one with a chance at odds.
Verdict: The 3yo Jerilderie Letter promises plenty on his first up win and can win again. Black Hills will run well if leaders are featuring and looks a good each way play if you want to take on the favourite, while Alilad looks the best roughie.
Recommended Bet: Jerilderie Letter to win.
Race 4 8:05pm Mud Bar & Restaurant Maiden Plate (1420m)
Small but competitive field engaged here with a number of these able to race near the speed, which should ensure a genuine tempo. Pretty open race with at least four genuine chances.
Pretoria Miss ran very well on debut when unfancied in the market when a nose 2nd behind Littlerayov in Hobart. No reason she won’t improve here at her second run and can get all the favours drawn 1. Looks a major player.
Olly’s A Star has run well at all 3 starts in this state and finally draws an inside gate after 3 wide draws. Game efforts at last couple at this trip and he may appreciate if he can take a sit just behind the leaders. Consistent type who should be in the finish again.
Like The Wolf has been racing well at Devonport and did run respectably only try this track in good class 2yo race. Fitness may be a query with 60 days between runs but will enjoy a genuine tempo. Likely to stalk the leading pack and if the pressure goes on early she looks the one who can pounce late.
Ruby Heart was heavily backed at her first Tasmanian run but was quite disappointing after enjoying a comfortable lead. May not have been in the best ground that day in hindsight and has blinkers applied for the first time here. Must have shown them something at home so no surprise if she improves sharply and worth watching the market to see if such improvement is expected.
Gee Gees Tell All can be a bit sluggish early but does run consistently when able to roll near the lead and the smaller field here gives him a chance to find a suitable spot in running. Recent runs have been ok but does have reasonable form at this track/trip earlier this year and if he can run up to that he can feature in the finish with the right run in this.
Lorita was very disappointing last time but was found to be lame and now comes here with blinkers on. Run two starts back was reasonable when caught wide and she might appreciate the slower tempo of a longer trip. Needs to do more but wary that she can improve.
Verdict: Pretoria Miss is going to be pretty hard to beat if she has come on from her debut run. Olly’s A Star will be in the mix again, Like The Wolf is the swooper and beware Ruby Heart if the money comes.
Recommended Bet: Pretoria Miss to win.
Race 5 8:45pm Levee Food Company Class 4 Handicap (1120m)
Looks like just a standard tempo here with Beck And Call and Court Candel most likely to take up the running. Gee Gees Style and to a lesser extent Just Call Me Fred may find themselves caught wide early on the speed from their wide gates if Triple Bee, Sentimental Dream and Vengeance Of Fury want to kick up inside. Good race with many promising horses engaged and most having some hope.
Just Call Me Fred is a smart 4yo who went a long way in an extended first preparation. Capable of going forward fresh to try and slot in just behind the speed and did win debut run at this track and trip. Has plenty of weight but has beaten most of his rivals in this consistently and looks a leading chance.
Vengeance Of Fury finally broke through this prep with a good win in C2 company at Devonport, aided by a good ride from McCarthy. Drawn to get an ideal run in what is his hardest test to date. Has performed well at this track and looks to get every chance to prove himself in this grade.
Gee Gees Style is racing in career best form and won well last time in good time at Hobart. Capable of riding the speed and gets in light for Victor Wong, but his outside draw may prove tricky and being caught wide is a very real possibility. Doesn’t win often but if he finds a spot outside the lead or one-one it’s hard to imagine him not in the finish somewhere.
Triple Bee has been racing well and maps beautifully from the inside draw. Capable in this grade and does race well at this track. Will need luck getting clear but looks a live chance if he does and can be in the finish.
Mon Londo was more than satisfactory fresh chasing a breakneck tempo and he finished around some quality gallopers. Found his niche last prep as a run on sprinter and took a liking to this track. A run on pattern would be ideal but provided there is enough pressure up front he can creep up behind them and he has a big finish if he gets the right run.
There are others with a genuine winning chance here despite question marks. Erin’s Element is a classy mare with a big finish who is more than capable but does need cover and will require a gem from Kyle Maskiell drawn the outside. Beck And Call was very strong last time when winning a funny run race and although this is harder she gets her chance from a perfect draw. Sentimental Dream was very disappointing last time when odds on but may not have been suited by a muddling tempo. That said, he doesn’t appear to handle it well when things don’t pan out ideally for him at this stage of his career.
Verdict: Just Call Me Fred has the score on the board while Vengeance Of Fury looks most likely to enjoy the gun run. Many chances outside of those in a very competitive race.
Recommended Bet: Win bet on Just Call Me Fred.
Race 6 9:20pm Fish ‘n’ Chips @ Launceston Seaport Benchmark 62 (1220m)
Should be a genuine tempo here with She’s Drahmatic, Let It Be Known, Zigold and Kool Kash all capable of going forward. Decent race where the market may prove vital with a number of key runners fresh from a break.
Kool Kash comes here off a freshen from a very gutsy run over a mile. Reckon this trip is ideal fresh. Had a very good winter campaign on the Tapeta but he is also proven on the turf. In well with the claim for Kyle Maskiell and if he can negotiate the wide draw he looks hard to beat in an open race.
Mister Baldock resumes from a spell without a trial. First up last time he was an impressive winner at his first run for this stable on softer ground. Generally races extremely well fresh and all 3 of his wins have come at this track. Will be giving them a start but if they can run on he’ll be flashing home at the finish.
Savoire Step is the class runner of the race and is in ok with the claim for Hayley McCarthy. Comes back to a trip he is well performed at on this track in tougher company. Gate 1 isn’t ideal for a horse with his pattern but he always runs on hard and if he can get the breaks when he needs them he will be featuring in the finish.
Zigold ran very well last time in what was a strong C2 and looks well placed here with the claim for Raquel Clark. Has been around the mark through the winter on Tapeta but her form tends to be a bit better on the turf tracks. Should find a good spot near the lead and expect her to run well.
Let It Be Known resumes after a very good preparation on her home track through the winter, all on wet ground. Her previous form on dry ground was at a lower level, so the question is whether she is just a wet tracker or improved to a new level last campaign. Tend to want to see her do it first on a firm track and the outside gate might prove a little tricky if she has some early competition to take up a forward position.
Minor claims to Flash Al Moon (proven in this grade but probably past her best and hasn’t won for a long time) and She’s Drahmatic (in light and won only go this track/trip).
Verdict: Kool Kash looks well placed but if the track is starting to suit the swoopers then Mister Baldock could be the one.
Recommended Bet: Kool Kash each way.
Race 7 9:55pm Good Luck to THE CLEANER Benchmark 62 (2150m)
Likely to be an even tempo here with Criollo likely to take up the running. Reasonably thin race with 4 major winning chances and a number of these struggling for form.
Criollo has been steadily improving at every run this preparation and ran very well last week when she got to 2100m. The claim for Raquel Clark means she will stay down in the weights and there doesn’t look to be too much pressure for the on pacers in this. Does look well placed and will be hard to beat.
Willow The Wisp again ran well last week at this distance range and looks an obvious chance again. In well with Beau Mertens’ claim, he is proven in higher grade than this and should get a soft run just behind the leaders. Only won 4 from 32 so doesn’t win out of turn but will get every chance to break his winning drought.
Cheryl’s Horse comes here off 2 good runs at 2100m in Hobart and while they were in Maiden/C1 grade, Accounted Four and Our Winston have recently shown the rise to this grade currently isn’t much of a leap. Produced a really strong effort last time when he was able to run down Dhanraj on firm ground. Not as well weighted as some of these but think he shapes as a genuine each way chance.
Dollar Dan is another who doesn’t win often, with only 3 wins from 38 starts, but he gets back to his favourite distance range here and did win his last run at this track over 2100m in this grade. Firm ground is no issue and he is proven in this grade and higher. Last couple have only been fair but think this is much more suitable and he can be the big improver.
What A Buzz found some form over a mile at Devonport during the recent winter Tapeta period and now tries 2150m for the first time. Has won on this track at 1400m so the return to turf holds no fears but prefer to see him do it first at this trip.
Verdict: Criollo looks to get her chance to break through here, but Willow The Wisp, Cheryl’s Horse and Dollar Dan are all genuine chances.
Recommended Bet: Criollo to win.
Race 8 10:30pm Dine out at Launceston Seaport Benchmark 72 (1420m)
Could be a good tempo here with as many as 6 of the 7 runners capable of going forward. Think Raquel Clark may look to hold the lead on Our Casanova after her aggressive tactics on that horse last week but Miss Yearn, Blood Orange and Clan Mcleod may all look to come across from out wider to try and find a spot close to the speed.
Our Casanova seemed to lose his way a bit through the winter months but his last two runs show he is firmly back in form now. Very good last time when applying the pressure over 1200m and is ready for this trip now, a trip at which he ran a close up 4th behind Royal Rapture, Geegees Blackflash and Streetwise Savoire in the Autumn. In well with the claim and looks extremely well placed.
Clan Mcleod continues to race well in harder grade and is really knocking on the door. Beaten by a very good mare at her past couple but she placed twice in this grade. She is crying out for a bit of sting out of the track but she does appreciate the Strathayr cushion at Launceston and has consistently performed well here on dry ground. Hayley McCarthy has the outside gate to contend with but if she can find a good spot in the run she will go very close.
Isn’t Life Strange is a consistent mare who returned to form somewhat last time when a close up 4th behind Blood Orange. Does race well at this track and both runs at this trip here have been good. Gets a nice weight drop to 54.5kgs in this which may prove significant considering she’s a smaller type of mare and while she doesn’t win often, this looks pretty suitable for her to be right in the finish.
Blood Orange improved second up for the Brunton stable last time when surviving a protest to win at Hobart in this grade over this trip. Did enjoy all the favours there and will find this harder but form ties in well enough with a couple of others in this for him to rate as a winning chance.
Deux Foix has the blinkers on here which and trialled very well late last month so suggest he’s ready to fire in this. Races well fresh without having won first up, and has won 3 of his 4 tries at this track and trip. Tayla Patterson-Doyle is still in the early stages of her riding career so gate 1 might be a little daunting when they charge across to find their positions but if she can hold her nerve early this horse is capable of providing her with her first winner.
Verdict: Our Casanova looks well placed to continue his good form but there are a number of genuine chances to keep him honest. Clan Mcleod rates highly if any cut out of the track eventuates.
Recommended Bet: Back Our Casanova to win.