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The R&S team bring you their tips for tonight's Launceston meeting.
Launceston Conquering Stakes Night - Race by Race preview
The R&S team bring you their tips for tonight's Launceston meeting.
Race 1: Ladbroke It! Maiden @ 5.11pm - 1200m
Just Cruisin' (6) missed a start as an emergency last Wednesday in the maiden won by Zuni. He had market support there off the back of a good debut in a 3YO maiden that looks to have more depth than this. Rohzhae (5) continues to run placings but find a maiden win particularly elusive. He looks set to lob in a forward position and give himself every chance again. Mister Manihi (3) had good market support in Hobart and wasn't beaten far in a race won by the leader. Pires jumps off him to ride the stablemate Jagger Rocks (1), which could be a lead for punters. Blinkers come off him, and he has the rails draw. Zonna Verde (12) was looked after late last time when ridden to lead. She gets the blinkers on third-up with Newitt having the ride.
Race 2: Ladbrokes Odds Surge Maiden/Class 1 @ 5.50pm - 2100m
It was a tough watch for the many punters that piled into Happy Clan (3) last start. Settling back off a dawdling tempo, he was never a winning chance with how that race was run. He may be ridden closer to the speed here, as he was last season when he led the Derby field. Launnie Nights (4) was a big run in Hobart, particularly off a 1390m – 2100m setup. His only win in 27 starts was over the Launceston staying trip. King Kurt (7) finished just ahead of him there, racing very dour and being strong through the line. He'll keep coming but has been up a long time. Pennine (8) was an easing favourite in that Hobart race, finishing in a clump for the minors. A senior rider back on may suit him. Princess Tina (9) has been specked at different stages this campaign and often raced like the staying distance would be up her alley.
Race 3: LAFM Alfa Bowl @ 6.20pm - 1100m
Geegees Mistruth (4) won the first 2YO race of the season in emphatic fashion despite being very green in the home straight. She'll take a lot of benefit from that outing but has a tricky draw to overcome. SKY EAGLE (8) has earned her ticket with a couple of Victorian jumpouts, the first, she won by a space and the second she was ridden in a different fashion. The Newitt booking looks one of intent, and the market will likely provide a strong lead. DUBAI AFFAIR (7) was a $65k purchase that was ridden for speed in a recent trial alongside ZOETE'S ROCK (3) who connections paid $24k for. Kicking off their careers in a $50,000 race suggests an opinion of their ability, with the same said for HALEN (2) who appeared to have more to offer in his two trial appearances.
Race 4: Cressy Chaff Cutters Longford Cup New Years Day Benchmark 68 Handicap @ 6.50pm - 1200m
Geegee Lucky Jess (5) was very impressive, rounding the field up from the back at the track and distance last start, beating subsequent winner Royal and Tough. This is a deep contest but she's a big chance again. Peace Be Upon Him (2) raced up on a slow lead tempo in better grade last Wednesday night. He draws to land in a good spot again and has earned the 61kg he'll carry. Cornelian Bay (4) returns after 78 days with a first-up record of three wins from four starts. He'll need a good ride from a tricky alley. Sistine (11) was on the right side of a busy finish a fortnight ago, and she stays right down in the weights with Johnstone claiming 3kg on this program. Enchanted Spy (12) was a big drifter when she resumed but was solid enough there and shouldn't do too much work in the run from a low draw.
Race 5: Ladbrokes Launceston Cup 28th February Class 2 Handicap @ 7.25pm - 1200m
Cherokee Dancer (8) hasn't missed a place in four career starts, including a fortnight ago where she rattled home to just miss behind Sistine who runs in the previous race. She'll have plenty of supporters here again in a similar race. Better Than Banksy (6) was backed as if the result was known in Hobart and duly gave the punters little to worry about. He was also good here, resuming in a strong class 1, but will likely be giving a start from the wide draw. Furneaux (1) will be suited by the extra 100m of this contest despite running well last time over 1100m. Ngapali Beach (9) wasn't far off against horses than ran well in the 3YO Cup but is out of her grade here as class 1 eligible. Yanosha (4) has plenty of pace and will run them along on a night where that could be favoured with the rail +7m.
Race 6: Craig Hanson Memorial @ 8.00pm - 1400m
Stone Cold Stunner (3) has had a month off and returns chasing four wins on the bounce. She looks well placed here, with Jordan claiming 2kg, and a very strong SP profile likely sees her well-found again. Cheeky Word (6) was heavily backed in a similar race a few weeks ago but was a touch plain. Back up to 1400m should suit. Steel Mist (5) should get a good run from a low draw. He was much better last time with big margins back through the field. Amancaya (8) has been much better than it reads on paper in two runs back for the new stable and looks ready to peak third-up. Willby Rules (4) needs a bit to go right these days but is certainly one for multiples.
Race 7: Steve's Liquor 3YO Trophy @ 8.40pm - 1400m
Most of the field came out of the 3YO Cup won byIsland Warrior (2), but there was no shortage of unlucky runs in behind. That said, the winner was particularly impressive, given a great ride from back in the field, and she's bred to get better the further she goes. Thespian Waters (3) and D'Oro Star (5) rounded out the trifecta there, the former appearing home before being collared on the post, and the latter perhaps didn't appreciate the inside draw on a night where cover away from the inside was favoured. Bobble (7) was doing her best work late there, after settling near the rear, but she may be buried away again from the same draw. Aruma (8) took an unconventional path to the 3YO Cup but was luckless after being held up for most of the race. She's proven over 1400m when a few of these are yet to tick that box.
Race 8: Rayner Transport Conquering Stakes @ 9.15pm - 1400m
The Inevitable (1) returns home looking for his third consecutive Conquering. His recent interstate Spring campaign was luckless at different stages, and he certainly didn't look any less a horse than the one that dominated the Tassie scene against similar opposition last Summer. Basically, the field will be hoping he's off his game because if he brings his best, it's a race for second. First Accused (3) is far less suited under weight-for-age conditions than his Newmarket win, but he would've taken confidence from the result. Alpine Wolf (6) was very plain as a favourite in that race and connections opt to take the blinkers off here. King Island (7) has been a winning machine in benchmark races, earning his shot at this class. He loves the 1400m and profiles as the likely leader. Swoop Dog (4) was good over an unsuitable distance in the Goodwood and trialled last week in readiness for this assignment.
Race 9: Ladbrokes Sports Bar Benchmark 70 Handicap @ 9.55pm - 2100m
Monte Fleur (5) showed that she's a stayer on the rise with an authoritative win over 2400m last start. She rises 1.5kg for that win but it was an impressive performance after making a sustained run from back in the field. Metaverse (1) was third in that race and meets the winner 3.5kg better. He's holding form well, and it's hard seeing him run poorly. I'M SO COOL (4) may be able to find the front here, which could see him give a sight, particularly claiming down to 53.5kg. Sunset Gun (2) is one of a few runners coming from a Hobart 1600m lead-up. She was solid there, just swamped late by those wider on the track and may be looking for 2100m now after consecutive mile runs. Page (6) gave a reminder that she does her best racing in Launceston with a bounce-back win last start. The market will pay her a bit more respect this time, particularly with Newitt retaining the ride.
For a live stream of tonight's action at Launceston, visit Tasracing On Demand
